RTE! Outer Banks, NC

[rbentnail]

Leaving central NC, heading east on Oct 31. That's a Saturday. Return Sunday. Ken the HD Guy and I will visit 2 state parks on the way out and overnight at the Comfort Inn South Oceanfront in Nags Head, NC. Hoping to eat here for steak/seafood if it's open but there's a couple other places within a short walk. A little pricey but what the heck. ETA: Then visit 4 more parks on the way back.

No leader except whoever has the route/destination on a gps. Very informal, everyone is welcome. Minimal interstate but when east of Raleigh-wood things get kinda straight and flat. Preliminary routes show about 320 miles each way from Asheboro, NC. Feelings won't be hurt if someone wants to peel off and go his own way for sights, riding, whatever.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Sounds like a place I want to go to...but I will have to do it another year.

Thanks for posting...

 

[rbentnail]

We try to get out that way once or twice per yr. Even the way more relaxed riding is a blessing- leisurely, not not as physically or mentally tired after 350 miles as I am when working in the mtn twisties. Plus the seafood.

 

[rbentnail]

Here's the plan. Start on left, head east on the southern route to Goose Creek State Park, to Pettigrew SP then to the motel. Eat, drink, sleep. Go north to Jockey's Ridge & Dismal Swamp SPs, then west across the top to Merchant's Millpond SP, Medoc Mtn SP, then home again jiggity jig.

Again, everyone is welcome to ride along. This will give me 41 state parks, forests, rec areas, etc. on my list of "visited" with only two known places left. It's been a heck of a ride exploring some of the out of the way places in my state, I highly recommend setting a goal like this.

 

[rbentnail]

B U M P

 

[Top_Speed1]

If only I could, my older brother has a home in Fairfield Harbor, which is xcross the Neuse from New Bern NC. So, you're close!

Hope you guys have a great time, post up some pics@!

 

[rbentnail]

Thanks! Will do.

 

[rbentnail]

Well now. We went, we saw, we ate

. Saturday was excellent weather riding to the coast, Sunday mostly light rain coming back. Temps both days hovered in the mid-60s so light jackets and rain gear were more than sufficient. And believe it or not everything actually sort of went to plan tho we did wing it on some route detours. On to the pics!

Ken the HD Guy & I ready to go. I know many of you would just routinely dismiss him b/c he rides HD but if you're not familiar- Ken and I have ridden together from Maine to Mobile and gawd knows how many places in between. So away we go!

First stop- Goose Creek SP

Second stop- Pettigrew SP

The RTE! Southern shore, Nag's Head NC.

 

[rbentnail]

Sunday morn sunrise over the Atlantic

Sunday, first stop Jockey's Ridge SP.

Second stop- Dismal Swamp SP

Third stop- Merchants Millpond SP

Fourth stop- Medoc Mountain SP, the Highest point between Raleigh and the coast

Excellent autumn ride. This now gives me 42 North Carolina state parks, forests, etc. visited with 3 known to go. I'll tell you this- NC has some fabulous displays, educational rooms, films, habitats, etc. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to see these things.

 

[rbentnail]

And some other pics of educational rooms, displays, etc.

You shoulda come with us, it was a most excellent ride! The food- O M G!!

And you know how, when you're riding along, see something and think, "now THERE'S something you don't see every day"? Tho I wasn't able to get a pic I have an image implanted in my brain I hope I never forget. If you've ever been in the coastal plains of the southeastern USA you know the roads are straight & flat and that the term 'coastal plain' is a polite way to say 'swamp'

. You ride for miles and miles seeing nothing but swamp. But every once in a while you catch a glimpse of wildlife. For us this time it was a bald eagle, our national symbol. For decades they've been pretty scarce around my parts and elusive even down east. But as we're riding along this huge frikkin bird swoops down about 20 yds from the road, grabs something out of the murky water and off it goes. Closest I've ever been to one and to see it on the hunt is magnificent.

It was one helluva ride!

 

[rbentnail]

Next up, prolly in the spring, but plans are already in the works.

Sea to Mountain Highway, backwards. Hwy 9 from Black Mountain, NC all the way to the end in North Myrtle Beach, SC. Come hill, hamlet, city and slum, we're gonna ride the entire thing even if we make 17 u-turns!

Preliminary: meet Ken the HD Guy in Danville, VA for breakfast then ride to Black Mtn. Overnight. Then to NMB. Club sammich at Oscar's. Overnight. Then home.

Think it over. Details later.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Would love to do some of that with you -- maybe all, since I have family near NMB. Start a new thread when you start figuring out details. Nonstop Black Mountain to the beach?

(I'm sure you know this, but the formal NC Mountains-to-Sea trail starts at Clingman's Dome and ends up Morehead City. I've hiked bunches of it in the Pisgah/Asheville area.)

 

[rbentnail]

Would love to do some of that with you -- maybe all, since I have family near NMB. Start a new thread when you start figuring out details. Nonstop Black Mountain to the beach?

New thread will come when details are worked out. Yep, meet Ken the HD Guy in Danville then to Black Mtn. Some 325 miles each. Then to NMB next day. Some 325 miles. Non-stop is out of the question- we aren't fools. Plentiful rest stops and of course gas along the way. DuhHuh. But yes, same day ride to NMB.

 

[45Badger]

Next time you do that, make sure you stop at Pigman's BBQ. Or RV's.

 

[rbentnail]

Next time you do that, make sure you stop at Pigman's BBQ. Or RV's.

Next time I do what? Travel to the OB? Might be some time later in the yr but we typically don't decide on eats 'til we get there.