[jmc813]

Never had the pleasure. It wasn't a regular manned station at the time.

That's too bad as Emerald Isle is a wonderful little town. Great balance between touristy and secluded.

We used to vacation right down the street from there every summer (the condos we stayed at were on Coast Guard Rd.) and on several occasions my father would bring my brother and I to the CG station. You didn't even need to schedule anything. We would just show up and the Coasties there would give us a full tour of the facilities and let us play around on the computers. Those visits gave me an early respect for the people in the Guard.

[Howlin]

Isn't that the truth? It's just not like that anymore; I can remember going there when you had to either drive through Atlantic Beach, or take the ferry over.

You wouldn't believe it now; HUGE bridge, tons of stuff, Wings, etc.

Our quiet little end of the island is gone; I use to love walking out the west end at low tide, picking up shells; you could practically walk over to Bird Island.

[CWOJackson]

I think for the most part anymore you have to go to some very off-the-beaten-path locations to find places like that. You'd like the CG stations on the ocean side of the Olympic Peninsula. Beautiful small towns with the post card CG stations. The only difference is the towns are the center of Indian reservations and the land our stations are on are leased for a $1 a year.

The local (Indian) residents can be a little standoffish...unless you're in the CG. If you're a Coastie you're an honorary member of the tribe.