Our Outer Banks 2013 Vacation: Day 4
We did not wander far from our Outer Banks vacation home on Wednesday, September 18th.
That morning Bob and I went to Roanoke Island. We stopped along the waterfront in Manteo. I walked along the waterfront, taking photographs of the lighthouse and other points of interest, while Bob waited at the gazebo.
Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse
and the gazebo where Bob relaxed while I was taking pictures
Spirit of Roanoke Island
Elizabeth II 16th Century Representative Ship
This ship is anchored at Roanoke Island Festival Park, located across from the Manteo waterfront. We have not visited this park during our three Outer Bank vacations. It doesn’t appear that an opportunity to visit the park will come anytime soon, as we are not planning another vacation at the Outer Banks in the near future.
The Sea Gypsy IV provides a pirate adventure for children.
From the Manteo waterfront we continued along Route 64 to The Elizabethan Gardens. The Elizabethan Gardens was created to honor the first English colonists who lived on these shores. We spent a couple hours there exploring the gardens, statuary and fountains.
The Gatehouse was designed to resemble a 16th-century orangery. It was built with handmade bricks from the Silas Lucas kiln in Wilson, NC.
Pineapple Fountain
Queen Elizabeth I Statue
American sculptor Maria Louisa Lander carved this statue in Rome, depicting how Virginia Dare may have looked as a grown woman.
The Colony Walk honors the famed lost colonists who trod these same sandy shores. The walk ends at a Water Gate.
This 16th-century Gazebo replica was constructed with period tools and techniques. The reeds for the thatched roof came from Norfolk, England.
the Sunken Garden
Jupiter, ruler of all gods
This is one of four statues in the Sunken Gardens. The other three statues represent Apollo, Diana and Venus. All four statues are from the Whitney collection. I didn’t take pictures of the other statues, as their faces have fallen off.
The central focal point of the Sunken Garden is the ancient Italian fountain and pool with carved balustrade from the Whitney collection.
A closer look at the ancient Italian fountain
These four statues were in Woodland Garden.
In the center of Woodland Garden was this fountain.
We sat and listened to the falling water for several minutes. It was very relaxing and peaceful in Woodland Garden.
The Lion Couchant Birdbath sits atop a column with a reclining lion at its base. Cherubs and other decorative elements adorn the bowl.
In the afternoon, back at our vacation home in Nags Head, I went for a walk on the beach. I met a nice young man by the name of James. He is a lifeguard who rides a 4 wheeler up and down the beach. I took a picture of him a ways down the beach. He saw me taking his picture. He turned around and asked if I had taken his picture. I said yes and showed the picture to him. He asked if I would take a picture of him by the no swimming sign and email it to him.
This is the picture that I took of James, which I did email to him. The “no swimming” sign was up for several days during our Outer Banks vacation. No swimming was permitted as the sea was rough. You will see in a later post, though, that the sign did not deter surfers.
Full Moon shining on ocean waters
The moon was so lovely this evening. Words cannot describe how beautiful it was to see the moon light shining on the ocean waters.
Ocean waters lit up by full moon
Stay tuned; more posts about our vacation in the Outer Banks will be forthcoming.
The Beauty Around Us 
4 Responses to “Our Outer Banks 2013 Vacation: Day 4”
Linda: Those were a lot of neat photos from the shore.
Great post, Linda… The area around the Outer Banks looks nice. We have not been there –but may get there someday… I’d love to see the gardens. Do they have flowers?
Hugs,
Betsy
The garden does have flowers, Betsy. There is a schedule on the Elizabethan Gardens website that shows what is in bloom and when.
Linda, wonderful series from your vacation. So many pretty sights to see! The moon shot is awesome, great capture. Thanks for sharing your trip!