We got off to a nice early start, about 8:30, knowing we had a couple of hundred miles of non-interstate driving. We needed to stop to get some supplies, then gas, then some of the caravan missed a turn, and we ended up waiting for the group to regather. So the first 50 miles or so took a long time. Then we got our act together and really started to make good time. The weather remained very clear and warm... in fact it got downright hot during the day, until we got to the coast.
Our plan was to avoid the interstates today and stick to reasonable side roads. The route took us around the "dismal swamp" and toward the coast and Kitty Hawk, home of the Wright Brothers first flight. Lunch at a brew pub then two cars split from the group and went to the Wright Brothers National Monument and visitors center, the rest headed south down the outer banks. After learning all we could about the first 12 second flight and seeing exactly where it happened, we drove on, headed for Hatteras Lighthouse.
The Outer banks are sand dunes split by a highway and feature lots of blowing sand. Once past Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head we came to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. About a hundred miles of very scenic driving, with considerable traffic, even though we are not "in season".
We got to Cape Hatteras Light House just after the visitors center closed at 5. But, we had time to look at the lighthouse, take some pictures and chat with some nice folks who took an interest in our Morgan cars.
A few miles down the road was the Ocracoke Ferry, a 40 minute ride across the bay separating the Atlantic Ocean from Pamlico Sound, to Ocracoke, NC, our layover for the night.
This is a very desolate area, with lots of interest for fishermen and limited tourist interest.
We will catch the Ferry from Cape Hatteras to Cedar Island at 7 tomorrow morning then on to Wilmingon, NC, so it's an early night looking forward to an early rise in the morning.
The weather continues to hold promise for a sunny day tomorrow.
More then.
