This morning we woke up to rain, high waves and soap suds like stuff on the beach. Tim and I went for a walk between rain showers. It was interesting to see the differences in the wave size and the bizarre suds on the beach.
Later, the sun came out and you wouldn't have known it rained. Ben and Sarah walked the beach in search of sand dollars. They found one. I found half of one and lots of quarters of one.
There is this kind of brush all around so there is no type of ourside yardword to do but use roundup on the walkways when the plants and vines grow up through. You can't walk through this area. There are fences all through it. This is the area I saw a red fox walk through.
Ben's in the hammock. Tim and I actually walked the beach longer than the kids. Imagine that~
While we were at the lighthouse in the area, we also looked at the signs of forts that were here and events from the Revolutionary War that took place. It's so weird since I know the history of my state, but was very interested in what happened here in NC.
Here's a little History:
Even though most of the British had recently sailed away with Maj. Gen. Henry Clinton bound for Charlestown, a small garrison was retained at Bald Head Island. The fortification was named Fort George in honor of the King, and was garrisoned with thirty men taken from various warships prior to their departure. Unfortunately, the thirty men only had twelve muskets.
Brig. Gen. James Moore placed Col. Thomas Polk, of the 4th NC Regiment, in command of Fort Johnston on the mainland to keep an eye on the small garrison situated across the wide inlet. Col. Polk learned of the garrison's weaknesses and decided to go take the enemy.
On the night of September 6th, Col. Polk sailed with 150 of his men across the inlet and landed on Bald Head Island. As they worked their way through the woods, they were discovered. The Patriots captured five sailors, but the alarm had been sounded. The other 25 British sailors took refuge in the small fort and fired upon the North Carolinians, keeping them at a distance.
Soon, nearby British ships heard the shots and sent a relief force. The HMS Falcon fired her 6-pounders into the woods at the Patriots to give the relief force a chance to arrive. Col. Polk had one man killed and one man wounded, then decided to withdraw. As they left, the NC Continentals burned a British cutter so that it would not pursue them.
The HMS Cruizer quickly mounted four of her 3-pounders on board the sloop Defiance. Lt. Dickerson sailed with five other boats around the island to block any escape by the Patriots. Lt. Dickerson discovered two of Col. Polk's boats at 1:00 am at Buzzard's Bay near the mainland. The Defiance and the Falcon fired into the woods at Buzzard's Bay, but the Patriots returned fire with a 3-pounder, keeping the ships away.
The British were unable to destroy the boats and withdrew before the sun rose.
While here we also saw lots of pelicans flying in groups high up then skimming the ocean. So cool to watch them. Didn't see them catch a fish though.
Bald Head Island is a village located on the east side of the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. Compared to the city of Wilmington to the north, the village of Bald Head Island is small and somewhat remote. It is only accessible by ferry from the nearby town of Southport. Cars are not allowed; instead residents drive modified electric golf carts.
The village is revered for its picturesque nature and is a popular location for retirement. It was the primary filming location for the successful film Weekend at Bernie's in 1989, as well as being a major location in The Butcher's Wife in 1991. "Old Baldy", its out-of-service lighthouse, is the oldest still standing in the state, built in 1817. It is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Check out the lighthouse in the background. Notice that the light is NOT centered.....
Well, that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
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