Eastern Greenway up the Atlantic: The Outerbanks of North Carolina,

Moved North from Ocracoke to Waves.

Ocracoke

The Outer Banks are a 200 mile stretch of barrier islands that form a line along the coast of North Carolina. 

The Labrador current from the Arctic Ocean travels south and in this area meets the Gulfstream current coming from the south.  This area can have some of the best surf along the coast. 

Due to the treacherous waters this section is also known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

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i thought that I would find many lighthouses like in Michigan.  There are seven coastal lighthouses in North Carolina. 

Ferries help with this part of the tour.

Lighthouse at Hatteras.

I did not realize that there was so much activity off this coast during World War 2.

I know in the Michigan dunes areas the sand drift is a problem too.

This works for me.

I see Rodanthe on the map and remember a movie starring Diana Lane and Richard Gere.  I see that it is based on a book by Nicholas Sparks.  I see a pattern in the settings of his books. 

I saw waves near Waves.

What beautiful colors!

Wright Brothers Memorial at Kitty Hawk.

I must have been in third grade when I started reading chapter biography books.  I remember that a book about the Wright Brothers was one of the first that I read.  Near me, in Michigan, at Greenfield Village their bicycle shop is on display.

This marks how far they flew on the four flights of that historic day. The trees were not there in those days.

The progress over 120 years is amazing!

Heading back inland. It is always nice to get a break in the scenery.

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

This protected area was established in  1974. This is the northern most Atlantic coastal swamp.  This ecosystem is the home of many species of plants, animals, birds, and fish.

This is one of the biggest bases in the country.  We have several bases throughout the Great Lakes too, but I did not think about seeing one on this trip. Now I will be moving into Virginia.