The beach was making me soft. One more day and I’d have been out buying flip flops, a beach towel and an easy chair so I could settle in for the duration. Time to get back on the road. Ever south.
First stop was the Wright Bros. Memorial south of Kitty Hawk. I think this spot is probably one of the top five most important sites of the Twentieth Century. While I was pondering that I tried to think of the other four but all I could come up with was Hiroshima, Japan. Maybe the Berlin Wall is another. I could make an argument for Dealey Plaza in Dallas as well.
Anyway. After the Wright Bros I passed through Roanoke Island on my way back to the mainland. I remember coming here many years ago on a family trip to Nags Head and being totally creeped out by the legend of the Maltese Cross – or lack there of – and the mysterious carved message: Croatoan. Spooky as hell. And a good spot for feeling spooky.
After that it was a damned long drive through amazingly lifeless tidewater flats. Nothing but rust and hound-dogs as far as the eye could see. Sad place. But got to move on and get to Washington, NC so I can start my planned mad dash for day eight.