Cape Point Oh’ How Do I Miss You!

 

 

I was in need of a distraction to all that is going on in the world around me today, so I started thinking about the Outer Banks.  It is not like I never think about the Outer Banks, you would have to say it is on my mind every day of my life.  Obsessive?  I am sure of it!  I just have not ever found a place of such wonder and peace that I have found in the Outer Banks.  

I find it a shame that the NPS is taking a beautiful, diverse, history filled area and making it inaccessible to those who pay dearly to have natural/recreational areas in our country preserved and cared for.  Through my distraction I find myself frustrated with the care taking by the NPS of the Cape Hatteras National Sea Shore, a few of my many frustrations:

• Cape Hatteras National Sea Shore has become a place where my 73 year old mother is hard pressed to find access where she is able to walk to the beautiful beaches.  It was nearly impossible the last trip for my Dad when he was alive due to his terminal and failing health. (when the beaches are open ).  
• You cannot walk on a NPS Beach that is not littered with signage as far as the eye can see that just destroys the natural pristine beauty that you once saw years ago, (when the beaches are open to see such a sight).   
• Cape Hatteras National Sea Shore has become a place where man and nature can not come together in education, history, preservation so that all can live, grow, work, learn, enjoy, and play in harmony as it was before.  Common sense and cooperation used to be the norm instead of the exception.
• It has become a place where the most unique areas of the Outer Banks is place “off Limits” to all to see.  Where it is a struggle to get to these points, etc. in the limited time the few of them are open unless you either drive to them, or are very healthy and can walk the distance.  There is no access if you are old, have handicaps, or any other limitations that disallows you the ability to walk for long distances over the dunes and down the beach in the surf line at times.
• Look at the camping at the NPS camp grounds, the beach access has become limited around most of them, especially on Hatteras Island and during peak season, the worst being the campground at the Hatteras Lighthouse.   Who would want to come back a second time after that experience!  They have even closed beaches in front of beach houses in the peak of vacation season.  Money is tight and People will spend their hard-earned money else where.
• What once was a place for all to enjoy, the National Seashore full of history, nature, recreation, is has become a National Seashore for “no one or just a few, and only a short time of the year and only in this small spot.  We won’t let you see or enjoy the rest of it, it is just too beautiful for humans to see.”  Maybe that is what the NPS wants is to have Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands to become another ghost towns like Plymouth?  But you know with all the budget cuts, and no visitors they would be out jobs also.  There would be no need to have but a fraction of the staff here if there was no visitors or locals to try to manage.   Who maintain the lighthouse if no one came and paid their hard earned dollars to climb it?  Something they should think very hard about.  The government would surely cut their budget even more if there was no need.   Just my theory!

It was posted in the Island Free Press that the NPS has already closed the most beautiful and unique spot on the banks already this year.  I guess this is what started my ranting.  I don’t want to sound negative but if I am feeling frustration with all of this, I cannot imagine how the people feel that live in the Outer Banks and have to deal with this everyday!  Here is what was stated:

               “Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials today closed Cape Point to off-road vehicles.

Deputy Superintendent Darrell Echols made the announcement, which he termed a “temporary” ORV access closure of the popular Cape Point area in accordance with the requirements of the consent decree.

On March 18, 2011, just south of Ramp 44 along the ocean shoreline, National Park Service staff observed piping plover breeding behavior, which is the reason for the closure. 

The width of the beach is very narrow in the area commonly known as “the bypass” and the required consent decree buffer of 50-meters to the north and south resulted in the full beach closure.  There currently is not an alternative ORV access route to Cape Point. 

Because of the steep beach slope, pedestrians will be allowed to walk through the inter-tidal zone to access Cape Point.

This is the earliest that Cape Point has been closed to ORV access under the consent decree – or perhaps ever.

Last year, ORV access wasn’t stopped until mid-May when the first piping plover nest in the Cape Point area hatched.  In 2009, ORV traffic to the Point was stopped because of nesting oystercatchers just south of Ramp 44.  And in 2008, ORV access to Cape Point was closed the first week in May, just after the consent decree was signed, because of courting oystercatchers.”

They said they closed it already because  “National Park Service staff observed piping plover breeding behavior”.  Maybe they will close the beach for us if my hubby and I are observed in breeding behavior??  You think!!?? 

I apologise for my soap box because I love the Outer Banks.  I love going to Cape Point, I love what the point is, and the beauty of it, there just is no other place like it.  I have to say it is the most beautiful place on the Outer Banks.   Why?  Maybe it is the soft ocean waves that is coming in on both sides of you.  Maybe it is the feeling that you are at the end of the world looking out to the ocean.  Maybe it is the abundant of wildlife there to watch and photograph, the quietness in the air, the sea shells that you find, and the changes in the sand…I could just go on and on.  Whatever the reason, it just sings to my soul as it does so many others who love going to Cape point to sit, walk, fish and just be.

  “The Point”  slide show of Photographs taken from last Decembers’ hike before sunset.  Enjoy a sampling of the beauty that photos just do not do  justice and the NPS signs that were everywhere!

Remember for good and bad,  I  love all that is the Outer Banks!

“The Point”

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