Of Good and Better, I think...

I ranted on about our mechanical troubles yesterday, so please forgive me. Stuff happens, and we have to deal with it. The appliance repairman called last night about 9, just after he got home and ran us through a couple of diagnostic checks on the washing machine. He took the information and called Whirlpool, the manufacturer, this morning and checked back with us. The news was not good. Whirlpool's approach was to start throwing parts at the machine until something worked. Not a good approach. Chuck also told us that at a minimum the charges would be about 2/3 of the cost of a new machine. Not good. So we've thanked him and decided to purchase a new washing machine as soon as we return home in the late fall. It's laundromat time for the next 3 months!

Just after talking to Chuck about the washer, we checked in with Newmar, the coach manufacturer, to get some more info about fixing the inoperable slide out. They directed us to a repair facility in Chattanooga, TN, which we called, and had a very nice conversation with Mike. We came away with a good feeling about the shops' abilities, and made a tentative appointment for August, when we'll be in that area. Alligator number two out of the picture!

By now it was time for brunch, so we checked into the Stackem High restaurant down the street. The Stackem High is a modified cafeteria style establishment, but with awesome biscuits and sausage gravy! I didn't really say that, did I, Julie? Check your blood pressure, Gary....

 A bit south of Nags Head, we got to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This preserved area is home to all manner of nesting wildlife, and is kept as pristine as possible.

In several places, however, the public is allowed to enjoy the cool Atlantic water. Today it was just a perfect 88 degrees in the water!

A large portion of Pea Island, in the Wildlife Refuge, is a memorial to Charles Kuralt, a North Carolina native who filmed many of his "On the Road" segments in and around the Outer Banks. He was renowned for promoting the preservation of this area.

Eventually we came to the Cape Hatteras Light Station, our goal for the day.

Arguably one of the most photographed Lighthouses in the country, it's distinctive black and white striping sets it apart.

Normally the lighthouse is open for climbing. The view is said to be wonderful from the top. Today, however, it was closed due to high temperatures. When the "feels like" temp reaches 103, the lighthouse is closed because it is a strenuous climb of some 252 steps to the top. Add in the lack of a/c and a bunch of sweaty bodies, and you have a recipe for disaster. The base was open, so we snapped a photo looking up the spiral staircase.

When the lighthouse was built in 1870 it was 1,500 feet from the shoreline. By 1999, the shifting sand had reduced that distance to 150 feet. This diminished the structural integrity of the lighthouse, and the decision was made to move it inland. A road was constructed to the new location, and a system of rails was laid on top. The lighthouse was raised 6 feet into the air by more than 100 jacks controlled by a computerized central panel. Once raised, Hillman rollers were placed between the base cribbing and the rails. A series of long jacks was placed behind the base of the lighthouse, and began to push. At a maximum of 5 feet at a time, 23 days was required to move it 2,900 feet to a location again safely 1,500 feet from the shoreline!

The Hillman rollers don't seem like much, but with enough of them, you can move....well, a lighthouse.

So long, Cape Hatteras Light Station!