North Carolina

The Seashore was not wholly accessible to us.

Highway 12, running through the Outer Banks, was completely

washed out in several spots, and only residents were allowed in.

I guess it means a return visit!

A gift from hurricane Irene

The first critter we found was not this beautiful rattlesnake.

  (You can tell he was rattling if you look closely at his tail.)

  It was swarm after swarm of VERY aggressive mosquitos.

  Everyone smelled like deet!

The mosquitos were a salt water variety whose population

bloomed.  Another gift from Irene.

We braved the evening mosquitos to view the Bodie Lighthouse.

It, and the Visitor's Center, was damaged and closed.

Thanks, again, Irene.

So we went to the beach and picked up a few shells for you.

No mosquitos.

In the marshes of Roanoke Island, near the lighthouse, the

boardwalk was a little skewed--thanks, again, Irene. 

The storm surge was likely over the walk.

The Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. (1899)

The historical waterfront in Manteo on the island.

The evening breeze kept the mosquitos at bay.

But not here--notice the fly swatter in Judy's hand.

This is site of the first British Colony

and the first Brit, Virginia Dare, born on US soil.

The colony failed for lots of reasons, and the colonists exact

fate remains a mystery.

Roanoke Island was also a safe haven for run-away

slaves and is part of the Underground Railroad Network.

An impressive site and museum, visiting our 345th National Park.

Of course, our legs had to be in the air!

Judy, at the first powered flight take-off point.  The landing point

is a mere 120 feet downfield at the next boulder.

I was underwhelmed, until I realized that

66 years later, we landed on the moon!

Judy's hat looks just like the Wilbur and Orville

monument.  Oh, it is!

We thought that this might be a good lunch spot.

It was--grilled grouper sandwiches--yum.

More shells for you and a relaxing evening and sunset for us.