Jockey's Ridge...we dune it :-)

• Jockey’s Ridge was established as a state park in 1975 by local action to preserve the area. Residents obtained more than 25,000 signatures and petitioned the North Carolina General Assembly.The park is divided into three ecological zones: dunes, maritime thicket and the estuary. 
• Jockey’s Ridge is known as a medano because it lacks vegetation and has shifting sands.
• Geologists believe that strong water currents washed sand from offshore shoals onto the beach, eventually creating dunes that stretch for miles.
• The shape and structure of the dunes constantly changes based on weather patterns.
• Frequent lightning storms at Jockey’s Ridge create fulgurites, glass-like tubes structures formed when lightning strikes sand.  

The dunes stretch as far as you can see and then just beyond is the ocean.  It is as if sand mountains just melt to the sea. 



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It is so bright here.  White, white, white...and then there's ocean.  Being used to the purple/blue mountains of North Georgia, you just kind of think that's how mountains look.  Then you have the privilege to see these dunes and you realize it's all relative.  Maybe a mountain by any other name, William, is a dune.



Here he is announcing he's going to see what's on the other side. 
 I think this was a Neil Armstrong moment. 



Such a small spot of beauty.  Don't you just love it when surprises lurk in the most unexpected places?

After we topped the hill and passed the "sand surfers", this is what we saw. 
The sea is just beyond the vegetation.

 

After we crossed over the first dune this was the sight. 
They are surfing on sand.  It was so much fun just to watch.



This young man is carrying a kite to windsurf.  I asked him how much the equipment weighed that he was carrying.  He said "about 110 pounds".  He was carrying it to the highest dune. 

Did I say eyes wide OPEN????

This place is amazing.  The tallest dunes on the East Coast are in the Outer Banks.  They reach 150 feet.  They are constantly changing shape.  The granules blow into various architectural wonders by the winds of Currituck Sound. 

I am in awe of the many ways beauty presents itself in this life. 



You guessed it.  He's right in the middle of everywhere, once again.
Note his footprints.  We would make tracks and then stand there for a second and watch the wind erase them.  Significant of how our existence is just a moment and then...there is the beginning....

IN THE PICTURES NATHAN WAS TRYING TO SHOW HOW AMAZING THE SAND WAS, DIDN'T QUITE COME THROUGH.  ALL OF THE DARKENED AREAS THAT LOOK LIKE SHADOWS ARE NOT.  IT IS THE SAND BLOWING.  IT LOOKED AS THOUGH THE WIND WAS BLOWING WAVES OF SAND ACROSS THE DUNES.  TO ME IT WAS AKIN TO THE EFFECT OF THE DIFFERENT HUES WHEN BLADES OF GRASS OR WHEAT IS BEING BLOWN AND IT LOOKS AS THOUGH SHADOWS ARE ON THE BLADES.  IT IS SOMETHING TO BEHOLD.