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Cape Hatteras, Where The 'National Seashore' Concept Was Born

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Climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse offers panoramic views of the Outer Banks/Kurt Repanshek

Sun, salt spray, and sand are the main ingredients for a traditional Outer Banks vacation. Here on the North Carolina coast, where barrier islands bare the brunt of the Atlantic Ocean, families have been coming for decades to enjoy not only those aspects of summer but some of the best fishing along the Atlantic coast. The experience is so good that the National Seashore concept was born right here in 1937 when Congress authorized Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Stretching more than 70 miles from Nags Head south to Ocracoke Inlet, the seashore draws those interested in history (during World War II the waters off the national seashore were thick with German U-boats that time and again targeted, and sank, unprotected merchant ships), surfcasting (fishing is particularly good in the fall when drum and bluefish are running), or simply flying a kite and enjoying the surf.

Towns that dot the seashore'” Nags Head, Rodanthe, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras Village, and Ocracoke'”are all popular destinations. So picturesque and romantic is Rodanthe that it was the backdrop for a 2008 movie starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, Nights in Rodanthe. But the other towns are steeped in that seaside charm, too.

Visitors have a rich variety of activities to choose from: bird watching here along the Atlantic Flyway, shell hunting (winter and fall offer some of the best finds), fishing, of course, and solitude for early risers, late evening strollers, or simply walkers heading up or down the beach away from any crowds.

Campers have four campgrounds to consider'”at Oregon Inlet, Frisco, Ocracoke, and Cape Point'”and lighthouse lovers have three to admire'” Ocracoke Light, Bodie Island Light, and Cape Hatteras Light (though access is only permitted to the last two).

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Surf fishing is one of the top draws to Cape Hatteras National Seashore/NPS

History fans will find the restored Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station of interest. Crews from that station gained fame in 1918 when they braved burning waters to save 42 from the Mirlo, a gasoline-carrying British steamship that hit a mine planted by a German U-boat. The explosion ignited a layer of gasoline atop the ocean waters. According to historical accounts, the men rowed their surfboat through a 'œhellish environment that blistered paint on their boat, burned their skin, and singed their hair and clothing...'

If You Go

Plan far ahead to make lodging reservations, as Cape Hatteras has a deep and loyal following of vacationers. Spring and fall are the best times to fish; by the middle of summer fishing is best offshore. Winter fishing can be productive, but the weather is harsh and sometimes dangerous.

Winds that sweep across Pamlico Sound on the back side of the barrier islands produce excellent windsurfing and kite boarding. Many windsurfers and kite boarders use the Salvo Day Use and Haulover day use areas on Hatteras Island.

Ocracoke Inlet was the favorite anchorage of the notorious pirate Blackbeard (Edward Teach). Blackbeard was finally killed in a battle near there on November 22, 1718. His decapitated body was thrown overboard into the inlet.

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Comments

 

I still don't get what a "national seashore" is, other than a national park with a coastline, which is still often named a national park (e.g., Channel Islands National Park).

I was hoping this article might provide more of an explanation behind the "concept" of a national seashore.

I thought it was supposed to be a designation as being of natural and recreational significance as a preserved area. Which has been recently transformed into meaning a wildlife refuge, I see no difference at this point. Preserved for the public, where public access should be the priority...

NPT appears to be just a mouthpiece for the eco groups like Southern Environmental Law Center, so the concept is thier desired spun interpretation. 


Maybe the National Park Service should create a new National Park at the border of Mississippi and Alabama.  It could be a big 50,000 acre place and they could name it Teabaggistan National Park. Ted Cruz could be the superintendent, and Sarah Palin the deputy. No rules, no LE, and anything goes.  Since it would be devoid of trees, wildlife, and all minerals in a few weeks, there wouldn't be a need for resource management either.  It could be a complete playground for ORVs and Mountain Bikers since theyll be allowed to go ANYWHERE.  Mountain Bikers could run over walkers while flying down their single tracks and not have to worry about pesky lawsuits for being at fault.   ORVs could run over mountain bikers and hikers.  It would be paradise for your casual NPT troll, and they would be sated because they would finally have their own National Park the way they want it. "Come to Teabaggistan National Park - a playground for Real Patriotic Americans".


I thought it was supposed to be a designation as being of natural and recreational significance as a preserved area.

This clearly mangles what Sec. 4 above actually states.


Congress has come up with some very creative labels for new parks lately.

And Gary, your Teabaggistan National Park idea is great.  No facility maintenance either.  When the sewers back up, they call it a lake.   Perhaps Lake Notreadonme. Then those folks who love to buzz others on their personal watercraft can have a blast splashing yellow water on all the people fishing for crappie from their big houseboats.

(Sorry, I just came in from the big air show at Hill Air Force Base and may be experiencing a small dose of sunstroke.)


Gary Wilson, as a fellow liberal, I ask that you please stop posting rude comments regarding the teaparty. Your's are played out, generalized, not witty at all, and make us look bad.

Regarding this topic, If you want to see what a true wilderness area looks like and if ORV activity has an impact on the flora and fauna, look to Anza Borrego State Park and Ocotillo Wells ORV area. They share a border and are a good case study. I dont think many people could objectivley say that the ORV activity has had no significant impact on the area. You simply cannot compare the pristine wilderness of Anza Borrego with Ocotillo Wells. The impact is just too evident in the ORV area. 

Is that a data driven statement? No, but it is realistic. In my opinion, ORV activity and the culture is simply in contradiction to the accepted and legal definiton of wilderness.


Rambler,

I try to keep my personal politics out of the fray and hesitate to make assumptions about other's comments and political persuasions. But sometimes the best way to fight fire is with fire. I think Gary's comments are spot on and witty. It is cost Beachdumb and his ilk should experience. 

I am glad Beachdumb is so forthright, he makes my case stronger and I listen very carefully to what he is saying.


I remember reading in the administrative history of CHNSRA how they struggled with naming and designation of the area because the island was so heavily modified by the CCC. I think I'll read it again today..

"The DOI, NPS and environmental groups led the public to believe that the purpose of the ORV rule was to bring CHSNRA into compliance with two executive orders from the 1970s.  In fact, the purpose was to institute far-reaching restrictions on public access by using ORVs as the scapegoat."

This is the unfortunate truth of what has happened.


Thank you Rambler.  I'm amazed Kurt lets that filth stand.


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