These barrier islands protect the intra-coastal waterways, (which consist of rivers, inlets, canals, and sloughs), from the open ocean. There are several long beautifully sculpted bridges that connect islands, and there is also a ferry system. We completely flunked ferries. We mis-timed the first one and drove right past the landing for the second one. Oh well, it's not exactly the Washington State ferry system. The boats hold 28 cars, run only a few times a day, and take 2 1/2 hours to cross the longer channels which were looking pretty choppy today.
Unfortunately, the Bodie Island lighthouse was swathed in scaffolding (and it looks like it may be undercover for quite some time). It was like arriving at the Guggenheim in Bilbao to find Jeff Koons' 'puppy' caged in construction frameworks....which did happen to us last November. Oh well, once again.
As a wonderful consolation prize, the medians of the highway were strewn with ribbons of a lacy blue wild flower which alternated with broad streams of yellow blooms. Maybe the blues were gentian, not sure since we were moving a little too quickly (ahem) for plant identification. Another lovely sight were the homes whose entire yards had been given over to pink or lavender phlox. You gotta have a wide, deep porch, and you gotta have several high backed rockers sitting on it, and a few pillars supporting the porch roof are an added bonus. There is a definite 'look' to homes in North Carolina. They are stately, well-kept and very traditional.
Kitty Hawk is in the Outer Banks, and there is a national park chronicling the accomplishments of the Wright brothers in nearby Kill Devil Hills. We walked the field where Wilbur and Orville flew and where there are stone markers indicating the length of each of the first four flights at 120 feet, 175 feet, 200 feet and 852 feet, (that flight lasted 59 seconds).
Running Odometer: 5738
States: South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia Total: 15
Hi
ReplyDeleteYou are doing so many things and all is described in such lovely detail that I feel like I could be Aunt Emma strapped up top the Boxster dead, of course). I get tired just reading about all your activities, but it's so fun to travel vicariously with you!
Love, M
You are the best writer! Reading your blog has become my morning "newspaper." Love, bb
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