This Land, Your Land

Cape Hatteras National Seashore will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the relocation of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on October 2 with free admission to the 139-year-old beacon.

A program on the grounds of the lighthouse from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday will recognize the 1999 project to move the lighthouse 2,900 feet southwest from its original 1870 location. The current location (below) is 1,600 feet from the eroding Atlantic Ocean shoreline.

The move, which required about 175 days of on-site preparation, was completed in 23 days from June 17 to July 9, 1999, amid a great deal of media coverage and controversy, a National Park Service news release recalls.

October 2 will be a "fee free" day at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the fee to climb the 248 steps of the iron spiral staircase will be waived. Normally tickets are $7 for adults and $3.50 for children and senior citizens.

The North Carolina Zoo’s newest exhibit is a group of five man-made geysers designed to help remind zoo visitors of the importance of stewardship of our national parks and our public lands, according to Zoo and Aquarium Visitor.

The exhibit, part of the Prairie Exhibit in the North America region, officially opens at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 26, National Public Lands Day.

Four of the geysers are smaller and erupt continuously, reaching two to eight feet in height, while the main spout bursts 20 to 40 feet high about every five minutes. A wooden deck brings visitors right up to this unusual fountain.

The N.C. Zoo is in Asheboro, and is an agency of the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources.