As I mentioned from my last post, Alan and the boys drove to the Outer Banks for a full day of sight seeing with Katie, Caroline and me. At our first stop, we met up at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island.
Throughout my years of homeschooling the boys, I have really grown to love learning more about history. That's just one reason why this trip across the U.S. has been such a dream come true! To actually visit, walk around, see and touch so many historical sites has been truly amazing! A couple of years ago while studying U.S. History with the boys, we learned about the fascinating journey of colonists from Europe to the New World in 1587, who were later named "The Lost Colony". Sir Walter Raleigh appointed John White to be the leader of the 150 colonists. White was later elected to be their Governor. The colonists originally planned to settle farther north than Roanoke Island in an attempt to start a permanent European settlement by the Chesapeake Bay area. Included in this group of people was White's own daughter, Eleanor White Dare, and her husband. Soon after their arrival on Roanoke Island, Eleanor gave birth to a daughter named Virginia, the first child born to English parents in the New World.
Due to bad relations with the local natives (the Secotans and Croatons) from previous European voyages there, the colonists feared for their safety. The colonists convinced Governor White to sail back to England for help. White traveled back to England and attempted to return to the colonists with provisions, but due to several circumstances out of his control, it took him three years to finally make it back to the New World. When he arrived on August 18th, 1590, the settlement had been deserted. All of the men, women, and children were gone. The only clue that was left was the word "Croaton" carved into a post and the letters "CRO" carved into a tree close by. White had told the colonists to carve a cross into a nearby tree if they had to leave the settlement by force. Since there was no cross found carved anywhere, White assumed they left on their own choice to Croaton Island. However, they were never found. There are a lot of theories as to what happened, but no one knows for sure. Therefore, the colonists became known as "The Lost Colony".
The boys filled out their Junior Ranger books with some help from Daddy. We walked around the reconstruction of a ground fort that was originally at that location in the late 1500s. Joshua said,"Look Mom! A DAD END!" (Dead End)
While exploring the area, we found the "The Lost Colony" theater. The production began in 1937 and it is the longest running symphonic drama in country! The shows do not begin until May, so we were able to walk around the stage and look around.
On the stage we found the Tree with "CRO" carved onto it. We had to explain to the boys that this was not the actual tree from the colonists. It was just for the show:)
We decided to get our silly family picture out of the way before a "normal" family picture. (Whatever that is...ha!)
Behind the stage was this amazing view of the ocean...
The Girls:)
Inside the museum, there were replicas of the first airplanes flown by Orville and Wilbur...
It was so interesting to walk around outside the museum to see the actual location where the Wright Brothers made the first successful flight of an airplane!
These markers show the exact distance of each successful flight attempt...
The fourth flight marker was the longest distance and time. Can you see that tiny white marker by the trees?
The boys were so curious to see if they could run at the same pace as the airplanes. (I was curious too!) We started running from the starting point with Alan timing us.
Here we go!
We were not as fast as the airplanes, but oh well! It was fun anyway!
After our running workout, we decided to get another workout by hiking up this hill to see the Wright Brothers Memorial...
The boys filled out another Junior Ranger book and received their second badges for the day!
After a full day of walking and sight-seeing, we decided the boys (and the adults too) needed some refreshment!! We found a quaint little ice cream parlor down the road...
After our ice cream break, we headed out to Jockey's Ridge State Park to explore the magnificent sand dunes.
The sand dunes were so steep, the boys had to "climb" up in some places!!!
We brought a kite to fly, but it was SO windy, the ribbons kept getting tangled up! At times the wind was blowing so hard, it felt like we were getting sandblasted!! Ouch!
After several attempts to untangle the strings and ribbons, we did manage to get the kite in the air for about 5 seconds! I am grateful Caroline captured it on her camera!
Here I am running as fast as I can... with Alan chasing behind me...desperately trying to keep the kite up in the air!!!
Even though the kite flying was a bust, we had a good time anyway! The boys loved exploring the sand dunes and we were amazed at how quickly the scenery changed due to the strong winds! It was so beautiful...the sand...the blue skies and the ocean in the background...
With such an amazing backdrop, Alan and I just had to strike a romantic pose for the camera! I know...I know...another mushy picture of Alan and Jill!?!? Sorry! I just couldn't resist;)
It was a wonderful day full of fun and history! I am so glad my friends could join us as well! Before they flew back to St. Louis, Alan and I did get the chance to go on a date! WAHOO! A girl's trip and a date with my sweetheart in one week?!! I am SO blessed:) Thanks again Katie and Caroline!
Blessings to you and yours,
Jill and the boys:)
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