Castle in the Sand
If you spent much time on the Outer Banks 20-25 years ago, you probably remember the miniature golf course that was just to the south of Jockey's Ridge - the tallest sand dune system on the East Coast. By the time JennySlash and I started going out to OBX regularly in the mid-80's, the mini-golf course had entirely disappeared, covered by the moving dune system. But with the constantly shifting dune, the old castle above made a reappearance 6 or 7 years ago. For all the times we've passed the castle or shopped right across the highway at Kitty Hawk Kites, I'd never walked over to check it out. Finally did so on our last night out there at Thanksgiving, catching Jockey's Ridge and the castle at sunset. It's definitely worse for wear but still hanging in there. Thanks again to Carolista Baum, for standing in front of the bulldozers lined up to knock down the dunes for a development in 1973 - without her one of the most unique aspects of the Outer Banks (and one of its primary tourist attractions) would be gone.
If you spent much time on the Outer Banks 20-25 years ago, you probably remember the miniature golf course that was just to the south of Jockey's Ridge - the tallest sand dune system on the East Coast. By the time JennySlash and I started going out to OBX regularly in the mid-80's, the mini-golf course had entirely disappeared, covered by the moving dune system. But with the constantly shifting dune, the old castle above made a reappearance 6 or 7 years ago. For all the times we've passed the castle or shopped right across the highway at Kitty Hawk Kites, I'd never walked over to check it out. Finally did so on our last night out there at Thanksgiving, catching Jockey's Ridge and the castle at sunset. It's definitely worse for wear but still hanging in there. Thanks again to Carolista Baum, for standing in front of the bulldozers lined up to knock down the dunes for a development in 1973 - without her one of the most unique aspects of the Outer Banks (and one of its primary tourist attractions) would be gone.
2 Comments:
I have been watching the ebb and tide of that dune and remember when the put-put course was there. To me the dune seems to be dying. I was on it a few weeks ago and it did not seem as tall. The dune needs to be in motion but with the growth here on the outer banks it has no where to go. Its sad really.
I understand that it was estimated to be as high as 140' tall 50 years or so ago and now varies between 90' and 110'. We've certainly noticed a difference year over year as we've visited. By the way, I love your panaramas!
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