Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, Outer Banks, North Carolina

23 April 201716 September 2024

Protecting the treacherous coastline of the Diamond Shoals, the Cape Hatteras Light Station is the most famous of the lighthouses along the Outer Banks. With an impressive height of 208 feet tall, it is the tallest brick beacon of light in the US offering spectacular coast views that extend from Avon to Hatteras Village. It was at the insistence of Alexander Hamilton, who grew up on this dangerous coast that insisted on the building of Cape Hatteras lighthouse.

I remember when I was young our family would visit the Outer Banks over the summer. I enjoyed the moments we spent at the beach, but a visit to the Cape Hatteras was a vacation pilgrimage. During each visit, we would climb the 257 steps to the top and look out into the ocean and the sound. We considered it one of the highlights of our Cape Hatteras trip.

Our family experienced a once in a lifetime event at Cape Hatteras in 1999. Watching the historical move of the lighthouse, inching its way across the sand, was a week we would never forget. My grandfather even bought the t-shirt to prove he was there.

Due to storms and hurricanes, the beach was gradually eroding, threatening the stabilization of the structure. It was feared that the lighthouse would eventually collapse into the Atlantic Ocean, so it was decided that it should be transported about 2,900 feet inland.

The Cape Hatteras Light Station is open seven days a week from Easter to Thanksgiving. National Park rangers provide guided tours to the top for a small fee. Over 175,000 visitors drop in on the famous lighthouse with its familiar black and white barber pole stripes. Operated by the National Park Service is the Hatteras Island Visitor Center and Museum of the Sea in close proximity to the lighthouse. There are several exhibits, the visitor center, ranger programs and a bookstore as well as a .75 mile nature trail to Cape Point and a shaded picnic area nearby. For many visitors to the Outer Banks, spending time at Cape Hatteras is a family tradition with fond memories of their visit to this fabulous coastal destination.

Have you visited the Cape Hatteras Light Station? What were some of the highlights of your trip to the Outer Banks! I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my time spent at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
46368 Lighthouse Road
Buxton, NC 27920
Telephone: 252 473 2111

Where to Stay:

Hatteras Island Inn
46745 NC-12
Buxton, NC 27920
Telephone: 252 995 6100

Where to Eat:

The Captain’s Table
47048 NC-12
Buxton, NC 27920
Telephone: 252 995 3117

We had already eaten lunch up in Corolla, so we thought we would enjoy a small meal to tie us over for dinner. I was excited to try the fried oysters, taking advantage of the local seafood.

What to Eat:

Crab Benedict at Sam and Ornies on Nag’s Head
Frogmore Stew Steamer Bucket from Armstrong’s Seafood in Nag’s Head
Donuts at Duck Donuts
Carolina Barbecue at Pigman’s BBQ on Nag’s Head

What to Read:

Hatteras Blue, by David Poyer
Early from the Dance, by David Payne
Surf Men by C.T. Marshall
Murder at Hatteras by Joe C. Ellis
Return to the Outer Banks by Diann Ducharme

Photo Guide for the Outer Banks

Pea Island Wildlife Refuge for capturing local birds
Jennette’s Pier to photograph local fishermen and beautiful sunrises
Ocracoke Horses
Triangle Shipwreck at Kill Devils Hill
Shipwreck artifacts at Seagreen Gallery
The Cape Hatteras lighthouse at Cape Hatteras
Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo

Going Back Somewhere in Time on Mackinac Island, Michigan

26 January 201631 August 2024

It was a gorgeous Michigan day when we decided to make the trek towards the Upper Peninsula. As we approached the island from the south, we could see the Mackinac Island Bridge in the distance. A massive suspension bridge measuring over 26,000 feet connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan and traverses Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes. The residents of Michigan call it the “Big Mac” bridge and they refer to themselves as U-P’ers, living in the Upper Peninsula. Those living south of (or “under”) the bridge are lovingly referred to as trolls.

I had first heard of Mackinac Island, Michigan when I rented the movie “Somewhere in Time”. The production starred Christopher Reeve and was filmed on the island in the late-1970’s. When I began telling my friends that I was going to spend a week-long family vacation in Michigan, my friends highly recommended spending a day on the island.

We paid the toll to reach the upper peninsula side of the bridge and caught a ferry over to the island.

The bridge is somewhat reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

The light breeze off of the lake felt great as we patiently awaited the ferry. From Mackinaw City Harbor, we boarded the Shepler’s Ferry shortly after our arrival to the pier and took the 45 minute boat ride to the island.

The ferry ride was incredibly relaxing and smooth as sea gulls flew above us and the winds began to pick up half way through the journey. In the far distance The Grand Hotel dominated the horizon and was the first structure visible along the coast.

Mackinac Island has been a popular resort town since the early 19^th century. With a quaint downtown full of shops, we arrived at the dock and disembarked, ready to explore the island.

We strolled through the downtown area prior to visiting the Grand Hotel. Admiring the yachts and sailboats in the harbor, we visited charming boutiques, restaurants and a large number of fudge shops.

We could not help but notice that there was a fudge shop on every corner, a fact for which Mackinac Island is known. According to one of the local “fudgies”, some of the shop owners have been making their famous fudge for over a century.

We had several options for getting around the island to include walking, horse and buggies as well as biking. No cars are permitted on the island, so this added to Mackinac’s charm and simplicity.

Among the historical buildings on Mackinac Island was St. Anne’s Church. Locals had congregated here since 1695, but this building, completed as we saw it today, was built in 1874.

Flower boxes adorned the windows of shops as we made our way to the Grand Hotel. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day to explore the island.

We passed a few horse and carriages that transported visitors to the Grand Hotel. We continued along the path that led us to the resort, passing beautiful estates and mansions that rest along the roadway.

The approach towards the hotel was breathtaking. Sitting atop the hill, the stately resort, with its Victorian architecture, commands attention. Built in the late 19^th century, it has been a luxury vacation spot for celebrities, politicians and visitors from all over the world. Because we were not guests of the hotel, we were required to pay a $5 charge to visit.

The hotel is known for its grand porch lined with rocking chairs that are strategically placed to enjoy the scenery. We took a few moments to enjoy the scenic view from the rockers before making our way back to the harbor to catch the ferry.

We retraced our steps into town with one final view of the Grand Hotel’s horse and carriage. With our ferry tickets in hand, we couldn’t decide if we should make another fudge stop and after taking a vote, the ran to Murdick’s Fudge for a last minute treat.

From the harbor to the downtown, the fudge shops to the Grand Hotel, the self-guided tour of Mackinac Island would end up being one of the highlights of our vacation. Even on holiday it can be a rare occurrence to experience a place that maintains its charming atmosphere. And it was for this reason, that on Mackinac Island, we too most certainly felt that we experienced a moment “Somewhere in Time”.

Have you visited Mackinac Island? Did you stay overnight or visit for the day? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my day on Mackinac Island and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
7278 Main Street
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Telephone: 906 847 3307

This is the original carriage tour on the island! The tour takes close to 2 hours with six stops!

Where to Stay:

The Grand Hotel
286 Grand Avenue
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Telephone: 800 334 7263

Where to Eat:

Bistro on the Green
One Lakeshore Drive
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Telephone: 906 847 3312

We chose this location to enjoy the scenic view of the putting course. I started with the crispy calamari, that was perfectly breaded and served with Mission Point’s signature marinara sauce. I also ordered the grilled kabob, which was served with rice and tzatziki sauce with the perfect amount of garlic.

Murdick’s Fudge
7363 Main Street
Mackinac Island, MI 49757
Telephone: 906-847-3530

Mackinac Island is famous for its fudge and Murdick’s Fudge has been around since 1887!

What to Eat:

The Coney Dog from Detroit, Jackson or Flint.
Vernor’s Ginger Ale
Founded in the Upper Peninsula, the pasty is a pastry pocket with fruit filling
Mackinac Island Fudge
Apples
Cherries
Detroit Style Pizza shaped in a rectangle and baked until the edges are crispy.
Better Made Chips from Detroit
Germack Pistachios
Walleye Fish from the Great Lakes
Faygo beverages

What to Read:

The Legend of Mackinac Island, by Kathy-jo Wargin
Somewhere on Mackinac, by Jeff Adams
Mystery on Mackinac Island, by Anna W. Hale
The Remarkable Tale of Captain Kidd and the Astor Fortune, by Eugene Thor Petersen
Mackinac Passage: The Boathouse Mystery, by Robert A. Lytle

Photo Guide to Mackinac Island:

A View of Mackinac Bridge from Mackinaw City
The Grand Hotel as you approach the island
The charming shops on Main Street
Arch Rock on the island

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant, Manchester, Ohio – NOW CLOSED

10 November 201531 August 2024

UPDATE: Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant is permanently closed.

Gorgeous vineyards overlooked the Ohio River and a secluded gazebo offered privacy to guests who wanted to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant. Sounds of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett shared the airwaves as I waited for my wine tasting on the second story balcony with a riverfront view. I flipped through the menu and found myself immediately drawn to this mystical place, so I read the fascinating decades of history that had eventually led to the opening of the winery.

It wasn’t long and the fifteen small pours of wine were delivered to my table. I could smell the fruit from the wines and slushies on the tray and was so excited to start my tasting.

Starting out with the Chardonnay, it is a dry white with a clean finish, very smooth with a beautiful clear color; it has a slight sweet aftertaste.
The Vidal Blanc is an estate grown grape that is also very clear in color and I find it to be a little drier, yet smoother than the Chardonnay.
River Valley White is a moderately sweet estate blend that has a sweeter smell with a dry finish that lands towards the back of my tongue.
Merlot is full bodied with an oak taste that I absolutely enjoy.
Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich full bodied dry red and it is absolutely perfect for a Cab.
Chambourcin is an estate grown wine.
River Valley Red is another moderately sweet estate blend with a perfect balance of sweet and dry. It has a fruitier taste than the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Country Home Red is the most popular wine at Moyer Winery and Vineyard and it is a sweet red made from the Concord grape. Smelling like grape juice it has a rich, full jammy taste.
Blush is a semisweet with a hint of Concord, which makes this wine such a beautiful color, a light pink with a very light smell it has a floral taste at the finish.
Strawberry fruit wine smells just like fresh picked strawberries that I could enjoy as an after dinner drink for dessert or poured over ice cream.
Red raspberry is the winery’s most popular fruit wines and it has a delicious, full berry flavor.
Peach is light and delicate and it has a refreshingly sweet taste.
Strawberry sangria made my heart sing with its strawberry jam flavor that was crazy amazing.
Peach sangria tastes like nectar and has been created with perfection with a wonderfully rich taste.
Mixed berry sangria tastes like a Jolly Rancher hard candy and could drink any one of their sangrias on a daily basis (I really could!…yum).

I paid for my tasting and ordered the country home red, strawberry and peach wines and was so sad that they did not bottle their amazing sangria. I walked the grounds of the restaurant and had permission to wander through the vineyard where they grow the winery’s estate Vidal Blanc, DeChaunac and Chamborcin grapes.

When I returned to the restaurant, I had the opportunity to meet Tom Hamrick one of several owners who discussed how he became associated with the winery and his current involvement with the restaurant. He was happy to share with me some fun facts about the history of the property which is fascinating as you can read for yourself:

Situated on prime riverside real estate, the River By Restaurant opened in the late 1920s offering Nickelodeon music, square dancing and bootleg beer (oh yes, prohibition!). I imagined boats tied up to the riverbank and the latest Ford model-T cars parked along the side of US 52. Women wearing their flapper style dresses and wearing choche hats to accentuate their coiffed bob hairstyles. While their dates are sporting slim dark suits, matching vests and a fedora hat….just a place to get together for the evening, dancing the night away.

In the mid 1930’s the barn-like structure built close to the restaurant became a training ring for amateur boxers. Cincinnati’s Ezzard Charles, a professional boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion was known to have made an appearance or two.

The restaurant would be hit hard by the flood of 1937 where six feet of muddy water made its way to the present day dining room. By the late 1940s, the restaurant would be converted into a private gambling club called “The Top Hat” and would eventually become a truck stop in the 1950s and 60s.

Ken Moyer’s dream to become a vintner would transform the property into a winery that originally offered bean soup, French bread, cheese and of course, wine. He later added the gorgeous deck with relaxing views of the Ohio River and his wine list continued to expand with their production of fabulous wines. At the height of the winery’s success, the Moyers decided to sell their business. A close group of their dear friends were entrusted to maintain the winery and restaurant with as much love and care as Ken and his wife Mary had done over the past 27 years. From where I was sitting, my conversation with Ken only proved that the restaurant would continue with its success.

Have you visited Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant? Did you order dinner and try their fabulous wines? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Moyer Vineyard and wishing you many Happy Travels. Cheers!

Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

What to See and What to Do:

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant
3859 US Route #52
Manchester, Ohio 45144
Telephone: 937 549 2957

Where to Stay:

Riverhaven B&B
407 West Front Street
Manchester, Ohio 45144
Telephone: 937 549 1999

Where to Eat:

Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant
3859 US Route #52
Manchester, Ohio 45144
Telephone: 937 549 2957

Have dinner at Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant! I recommend the River Valley Salmon and save room for the Toasted Pecan Caramel Ball!

Photo Guide for Moyer Vineyard Winery & Restaurant:

Views of the Ohio River from the second story winery
Gazebo along the Ohio River
The Vineyards