The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter., 1960-08-12
ISLAND OF
DELIGHT
By JEAN A. EARNHARDT
Gin The News and Observer)

Every season has an evocativt
quality that stirs memories fol
adults. A crisp winter day may
carry you back to special glitter
ing new-snow morning of many
years ago. Or a wandering spring
breeze reminds you of an almost
forgotten love of your childhood
These are the hidden garden mem.
ories-sweet, fresh, and timeless.
For a small child, one of the
most unforgettable experiences i
his first sight of the great stretch
of sun, sand, and waves that make
&up a beach. And if this beach alse
be part of that unique island, Ocra.
coke, it will surely return to hin,
i'm glowing pictures.
In Future Years.
In future years, when mighty
bridges perhaps span the sounds
he will remember the fun of fer.
ry ride, slipping around the sand.
bars, waving to .jeep-driven fish
ing parties on the Banks. The sat,
isfying thud when the ferry
touches the landing point on Ocra
coke and the thrill of being in tbs
very first car to roll down tn,
ramp onto the metal strip road.
Or when this grown-up boy
chances to walk barefooted on hol
pavement, will it not remind hin
pf a day when he wandered bare.
footed around the harbor, saw the
locks and the Community Store
baking comfortably and lazily ir
the summer heat? On the Other
bide Of the harbor, the white light
house glared in the sun. 1t seemed
Fairly small from a distance, bu'
rs he approached it lowered almost
'righteningiy over him.
And the warm sand heated the
Eoles of his feet until he foune
himself running down the shore
bn the Sound side of Ocracoke
covered with windwarped trees
vas Springers Point, wonderful
digging ground for child. At the
time it meant nothing to him tha'
his was once the hideout of Black
beard the pirate and that reputedl!
some of his gold remains there fol
Ehe finding.
Ponies On the Beach.
Among the greatest riches OF
bcracoke are the Banker ponies
Che child will remember the ex
biting but distant view of thu
ponies racing on the beach, the
unidentified sound of their hoove'
hs they trotted through the vii
age at night. Finally the ultimate
thrill came when he found groul
bf the Bankers summing lazily il
he early morning warmth of thu
lock. Their curiosity was mutua
md the experience of touching
oft, inquiring nose will be remem
bered.
The. sight, sound, and smell o
he ocean will aways be touch
tone of memory. Every shell, per
'ect or broken, is treasure to ;
hild. Waves are personal creations
10 play tag with. Sandcastles rise
empires vanish under the waves
But more can be built. Perhaps thu
bnly regret is that goodbye mus
be said "a goodbye which has thu
Ead quality of darkness creeping
ip the side of sand dune in Iii
evening.
Dreams for Tomorrow.
To a child, an ocean is a small
world of marvellous sensations. A
le contemplates sand and skv ant
un, he smiles with the confidence
# the very young, knowing tina
lis summer expectations will b.
ulfilled.
To the same child grown up
3eracoke in restrospect will beS'
larne to conjure by, a garden o
|ummer memories. And if the pic
ures be even more vivid and per
ect than reality, who can begrudg'
man his own private Never
Never Land?