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I'm glad you came to walk the outside with me. Let me start by taking you over to what resembles an old chicken house. You
know when I was growing up the chicken coop was very important. It gave us food for our table. The old rooster served as our alarm
clock. People around the beach got up at the crack of dawn with the first crow of the rooster. We went out early in the morning to
empty the fishing nets and to reset them. I use this building to display craft shells, shell nightlight's, shell garland, and things. As you noticed I am fond of coconut art. I was always fascinated with the coconuts I found after the hurricanes on the beach. It is hard to imagine the sea things that get into the Gulf Stream, and float up here from the Caribbean. Take time to read my article entitled
"My Daddy's Sea Bean" Let's move on around the yard
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Gray House Chicken Coop |
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Gray House Learning Center | Oh, you noticed my Learning Center. When I was growing up the path to our learning center was well worn. Every Halloween you had to
have someone stand guard to protect the family's out-house because it was a favorite item to be pushed over. I have often said that there was
probably a lot more learning in some of these centers than transpires in modern day classroom. Now, that we are here lets go ahead and walk the
garden path.
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As you walk the path you will find many points of interest. Things such as the
natural island vegetation. We have some plants that seem to be unique to our
area such as Yaupon. We called it the Tea Bush, because the islanders made tea
from it. Our plants had to adapt to a severe environment that is marked by ever
blowing wind and salt spray. Friends like yourself have brought me many plants,
but I am sorry to say they do not always survive our harsh climate. That is why
I am collecting rocks, and shells, because they are drought and disease
resistant. Should you happen to come to see me, how about bringing me a rock.
Take time to read my article on
Rocks on
Hatteras Island |
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Garden Path |
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Gray House Graves
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There are many things to ponder on the garden path. One in particular I would like to call to your attention is the shameful and disgraceful actions of some people who're motivated by greed to the extent that they would desecrate the graves of our forefathers who settled on these islands. Here you will find a humble monument to those who helped to make America the great land that it is today. In recent years the islanders formed an Historical Society, which has done a tremendous job of locating and preserving the Island gravesites. It is one thing for the Island graveyard to be ravaged by the surging waters from the sea, but another to be bull dozed over by greedy real estate developers. Read my article on When does a Cemetery Cease To be a Cemetery
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If you will step over here I would like to show you the Nettie Peel Path. Miss Nettie was a sweet little lady that lived in small house at the end of this path. The house is still there but it is encased in the big house you now see. Miss Nettie was good friend of my Grandparents and she walked this path daily to the Old Gray House. At that time this was a dense wooded area with thick underbrush and vines over head. If you turn your imagination loose you can hear the swishing of the bushes as Miss Nettie makes her way to the Old Gray House. If you would like to read my tribute to Miss Nettie then click here.
Miss Nettie
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Walking The Nettie Peele Path
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If you continue down the Nettie Peel Path you will enter what I call Bird Land. It is here I feed the birds. Birds have always been a part of the lives of people on Hatteras Island. As a child I was taught to respect the birds. They were essential to our existence. Not only did they provide us with food but also they helped maintain the vegetation on the Island by spreading seeds. I also learned from the birds that each species flocked together. Guess that is where we got the saying, "Birds of a feather flock together". This idea of a world culture will never fly. No matter how our government tries to merge races, people tend to flock together. Seems that it would be better to teach the children of all races to honor and respect other races and cultures, and encourage people of different cultures within the races to preserve their uniqueness. Changes are happening on Hatteras Island. You can hardly find any semblance of the unique culture that once prevailed. I have no problem with people of different races or cultures flocking together as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others. I thank those who have been helping me feed the birds by donating towards the food. Now, let’s head back down the path to the three shacks in the woods.
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Bird Land
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If you continue down the Nettie Peel Path you will enter what I call Bird Land. It is here I feed the birds. Birds have always been a part of the lives of people on Hatteras Island. As a child I was taught to respect the birds. They were essential to our existence. Not only did they provide us with food but also they helped maintain the vegetation on the Island by spreading seeds. I also learned from the birds that each species flocked together. Guess that is where we got the saying, "Birds of a feather flock together". This idea of a world culture will never fly. No matter how our government tries to merge races, people tend to flock together. Seems that it would be better to teach the children of all races to honor and respect other races and cultures, and encourage people of different cultures within the races to preserve their uniqueness. Changes are happening on Hatteras Island. You can hardly find any semblance of the unique culture that once prevailed. I have no problem with people of different races or cultures flocking together as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others. I thank those who have been helping me feed the birds by donating towards the food. Now, let’s head back down the path to the three shacks in the woods.
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Path to Cape Pines Motel
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As you walk the Garden Path you will notice that we have now opened up a new path which leads to the Cape Pines Motel. Feel free to walk the path to the Pines and see the many nice things they offer the guests who stay there. Should you or your children like to take time to use their swings, pitch horseshoes, or even play a game of croaky feel free to do so. Bill and Angie Rapant, the owners, will welcome you with open arms. They are following the Hatteras Island tradition of providing their guests with a laid back family atmosphere. Not only do they have a nice swimming pool but an area for cooking-out as well as games for the children. They are pet friendly like we are at the Old Gray House. We especially appreciate the opportunity this new path has given us to meet and greet so many new people that come strolling the path to the Old Gray House. We call them Pines People. You might want to take time to click onto their web site at Cape Pines Motel
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Back there in the corner is where I spend a lot of time when I am not sitting under the oak tree up front. Here you will find my crafting area.
When I am not entertaining the kids I like to make Hatteras Holders. I balance and fasten shells on beach rocks just for fun. My favorite shell for this is the
Whelk Shell. Read my article entitled, "The Whelk Shell". They have many uses such
as pot for plants, desk sets or paper clips, wrapped candy dishes, loose change holders, soap dishes or whatever you want to do with them.
My favorite one I use for hard shell nuts. Did you know walnuts are supposed to be good for your heart? Now I want to show you the hobby of
all hobbies. The Gray House Shell Shack
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Craft Corner
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Please Note:
As you walk the garden path you will see posted saying and information. Some to do with Island history, vegetation, sea-life and folklore. If you are interested in path posting Click Here
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