Friday, May 21, 2010

Cape Hatteras Light

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in the Village of Buxton here on Hatteras Island is the symbol of the Outer Banks and coastal North Carolina. The lighthouse was constructed in 1870 and has stood the test of pounding surf and tremendous storms not to mention the salty air and a move. In 1999 the lighthouse was moved in an impressive operation about 1/2 mile inland. The 208 foot lighthouse, the tallest in the country, was in danger of tumbling into the relentless surf. Cape Point close to where the lighthouse is located is known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Pounding surf and constantly shifting tides are the result of the meeting of both the Gulf Stream and the Labrador Current. We visited the lighthouse yesterday, which is open to climbing, although we didn't this year. I took the picture on the right through the keepers quarters window. What a sight to wake up to every morning.
The lighthouse is visible from many parts of the island. Yesterday we walked the beach from Hatteras to Frisco about 5km north of here with the lighthouse in view in the distance the entire time.

The weather here has improved with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70's. The cool Atlantic waters are keeping the temperature in check here at the coast while it is rising into the 80's inland.

Weekend Update for Montreal
The weather in Montreal, Ontario and Quebec will turn HOT. After a cooler than normal weekend the heat will be on next week with humid, hazy weather and temperatures soaring into the 30's.

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