After another short drive we arrived at Cherry Point MCAS in Havelock, North Carolina. It would be our base to explore Lower Outer Banks. After getting set up, we went to the commissary and exchange to pick up a few things.
Sunday we drove to Beaufort. It is a nice small town on Lower Outer Banks.
We wanted to visit the Maritime Museum, but it didn't open until the afternoon. We did find a painted rock outside the museum.
We stopped in Cape Lookout National Seashore's visitor center. The visitor center is located in what was once Beaufort's main post office. Our next trip we plan to take the ferry to the seashore to tour the lighthouse and to see the wild horses.
After our trip to Beaufort we headed down the coast to Fort Macon. It is built in a style similar to other forts of the time. It is also the first state park in the North Carolina State Park system circa 1936. It was used in the Civil War through World War II. In WWII, the interior of the fort wasn't used, but temporary buildings were constructed outside the fort to house the military. As soon as the war was over, the temporary buildings were taken down and the fort returned to park status.
Monday we returned to the coastal islands to visit one of four state aquariums in North Carolina.
Behind the aquarium is a trail through the marshland. This bridge was tricky--just when you thought you had your balance, the slats sunk toward the water. It was the strangest bridge we have encountered while hiking. Bob told me not to worry....he had me.....on camera, that is.
We enjoyed our trip to the aquarium. There were many families enjoying the fish and reptiles on the day before school started. This sculpture is near the entrance.
Tuesday we decided we needed some steps so off we went to Croatan National Forest. We chose Beede Trail at Flanners Beach Recreation Area. This bridge was pretty straight forward--no sudden dips or dives as we crossed it!
As with most people in the south, we are watching Hurricane Irma. Our original plans have changed, we are not going to continue down the coast, instead, we are heading south toward the GA/SC border.
We will continue to watch Irma and hope she turns east!
After driving in the rain for most of the day, we stopped at South of the Border to regroup and find a place to spend the night. Passport America comes through with a park six miles away! Bass Lake Campground, here we come!
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