“Half-buried in sand, this old buoy has weathered storms and sun, forgotten by ships long gone. Yet under the Milky Way, it seemed alive again—its rusted frame tilting upward like a silent guidepost. No longer tethered to the sea, it felt as though it was pointing us beyond the horizon, leading us away from the tides and straight into the infinite night of stars above.”

Taken from a secluded corner of Oregon Inlet, well away from the busy pier and familiar paths. This is a view few ever see—just the whispers of wind, salt in the air, and the rare presence of fishermen navigating where the sound surrenders to the sea. My husband, John, was the one to notice it first. We spent a few hours at and around this location-just me, him, and the stars.