2017-11
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| two tree house cabins out along the river and boardwalk from my campsite |
Windsor North Carolina
Kitty Hawk, Outer Bank
Edenton
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| Windsor City park also known as Cashie River Campground |
Campground: Windsor City park also
known as Cashie River Campground. $20 per night 30 amp elec. full
hookups. $15 per night if staying longer than 14 days. Two awesome
new tree house cabins available on the river for $60 per night. 7
over the air tv stations/poor reception, excellent Verizon signal.
Distance traveled: 84 miles
This campground is tucked away off the
main road into town. Looks like the bath house and half a dozen
campsites are being redone. The bathhouse is brand new, though the
showers weren't completed and I haven't seen any workers coming along
to complete the work. Only one other camper was here yesterday, the
4 other Rv's appear to be here as weekend get a ways, though I
haven't seen anyone using them. Basically, I'm the only one in the
park. I did see the local sheriff drive through, which is always a
good feeling when staying at a new place.
That evening, just before going to bed,
I hear a loud cacophony of wild animal noises rising to a crescendo ,
yelping and howling,,,, then suddenly stopping. Only to begin again
a few minutes later. Everything from what sounded like coyotes,
wolves, wild dogs, hoot owls, as if surrounding my camper in the
night... now that's a bit more excitement than I've had in a while.
When I took a walk out onto the long
new boardwalk over the swamp and river I was surprised to see two
tree houses. How cool. Though having the boardwalk attached to the
two cabins did take away slightly from the fact that both cabins are
in fact built up and around a couple of living trees. But it also
would make them handicap accessible. I often think of my good friend
Debbie who would have no trouble using a facility like this.
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| two new tree house cabins, what fun |
Around the small town of Windsor,
sitting on a corner is another one of the Confederate statues I've
come across recently. This one was erected by the Confederate
Veterans in 1896. I've learned recently that many new statues are
going up, often erected by the Daughters of the Confederate Soldiers.
Here in North Carolina 35 new statues have been erected since the
year 2,000. A slightly skewed version of history as usual they never
mention slavery as the reason for the war. It's as if by rewriting
history they can accept the death of their loved ones and still honor
their sacrifices. At the statue states, “we kept the faith, we
fell at the post of duty, we died for the land we loved”. You may
have seen a number of statues being torn down across the country like
the ones in New Orleans. An issue that has not gone away, even after
all these years. Do we learn from history, or just re-write it to
fit our own perspective.
Crossing our country, as I travel the
back roads, these are the things that I see and contemplate along
with the beautiful scenery filled with deserts, mountains,
waterfalls, oceans and fields of green.
Darkness descends on the campground as
another evening finds me alone at my campsite. Tree frogs and
crickets start croaking and chirping their mating calls. The
previous night a truck with a topper over the bed of the truck
arrived around this time and a guy climbed into the back of the truck
for the night. A single street light illuminates the tree tops in
the center of the camp circle creating shadows in all directions.
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| Hope Plantation |
The next day, I headed a few miles
west of Windsor to the Hope Plantation where I would tour the Hope
Mansion, 1803 and the King-Bazemore house, 1763. Both homes are
original and have been lovingly restored. The King-Bazemore home was
moved three miles to the Hope Plantation making for a convenient
location for tours of both homes. The Hope mansion consists of only
8 main rooms on two main floors and the large hallway which would
have been used for large gatherings. The tour guide was well versed
on the history and the period furnishings were so perfect, even
though only a few were original to the house that they fit in
perfectly. Having been on many historic home tours, I can tell you,
these two homes are truly exceptional.
The tour began in the basement, much of
it above ground, raising the mansion almost a full story before one
climbs up to the first floor proper. Before the mansion was
purchased and restored, tenants lived on the main floor of the house.
Refusing to go onto the second floor as they believed ghosts lived
there.
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| the basement, much of it above ground |
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| one of the library walls |
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| main dining room on the top floor |
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| daily meals were often served in the bedroom |
The mansion was designed by Governor
Stone in the Federal and Georgian style. Some of the furnishings are
valued at a million dollars and unlike many house tours, I was able
to walk through each room and even touch some of the furnishings,
including the stunning library with it's tall wavy glass doors
protecting the large collection of books.
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| house was moved 3 miles and has been completely restored would have originally had full porches on both sides, this side enclosed after a few years.... |
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| fine furnishings and paneling for a workers home |
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| deep fireplace, the floor in front apparently caught on fire at one time, as new floor boards are in front of fireplace |
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| rare to have these small closet like rooms for this time period |
The second house I toured, though
smaller, was the King-Bazemore house, built in the hall and parlor
design, with wide porches and having a few odd small rooms on either
side of a large fireplace each with a small window. Their purpose is
unknown as closets were not built into homes of this period, though
the small rooms are reminiscent of a shaker prayer room. The gray
painted paneling in one of the main rooms was strikingly handsome.
This area of coastal North Carolina has many of these historical
homes for touring and I'm sure none would disappoint.
The Outer Banks, North Carolina
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| the Outer Banks, North Carolina |
Well before I begin my tour today, I
must mention that this has been an area that's been on my bucket list
for easily the entire time I've been full-time camping if not many
years prior to getting on the open road. And today I get to explore
it fully.
The drive would take over an hour and
40 minutes much of it on secondary roads. Through rural landscapes a
50/50 mix of forest and low land farms that have been created after
North Carolina drained much of the swamp lands around here. I can
assure you there is still lots of water in this area. The roads,
often built up by digging a canal along one or both sides of the
roadway, using the dredged earth to raise the road bed. I travel
past numerous bays and inlets before reaching the inner coastal
waterway and finally the outer banks. A long stretch of sand dunes
along the Atlantic Ocean, creating a holiday paradise for many folks.
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| awesome presentation by a young Park Ranger very inspiring |
Manteo, Nags Head and finally my destination Kill Devil Hill and Kitty Hawk the location of the first manned flight by the Wright Brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright. The bad news first. After waiting well over 13 years to get here, the visitors center is under construction and obviously closed. The good news is I'm standing on historical ground where the Wright brothers, after researching and building their gliders and finally their motorized plane in Dayton Ohio, transporting it by train and boat to North Carolina's outer banks, to this spot called Kitty Hawk.
I enjoyed two young park rangers tell
the story of the first flight occurring here, with the just right
amount of excitement, awe, and inspiration leading up to the final
climax of describing the first “heavier than air powered flight”.
Orville won the coin toss and climbed aboard the plane on December
17, 1903. Orville would get off of the ground after traveling along
a flat rail before rising into the air for 12 seconds and a total of
120 feet, crashing after over compensating on some of the controls.
A total of four flights would be made that day, each one going a
longer distance each time. With the final flight of the day by
Wilbur going 852 feet in 82 seconds.
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| the new visitor center, not quite ready for visitors |
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| such small distances |
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| each flight going further down the sandy runway |
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| Orville and Wilbur taking turns with each flight made |
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| the final flight of the day, 59 seconds, 852 feet |
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| the plane hanger and workroom, monument on Kill Devil Hill |
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| all glider and plane flights made on the sand dunes expecting many crashes before success |
After the last flight, safely on the
ground, a gust of wind would flip the plane and pretty much destroy
it for any further flights. Much credit is given to all of the
other inventors and researchers who were attempting to do the very
same thing. Wilbur and Orville used much of that research before
building their gliders and finally the engine powered plane that
would lift off the ground. Their extensive research with over 1,000
flights in gliders off of Kill Devil Hill as they continually
improved their fly machine. Each change proved their concepts of the
proper wing design, tail rudder, would work. They would eventually
build their own wind tunnel to correct errors others had made in
developing a planes propeller and other aspects of the planes design.
Even building their own engine as no manufacturer could build one as
small and light weight as they required.
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| our only chance to see items from the visitor center inside the temporary bldg and gift shop |
Here at the sight of the Wright
brothers first flight, hidden at the time from prying eyes as there
were many others attempting to be the first to fly, I am able to walk
along the original path the Wright brothers plane first took off. It
was once all sand and sand dunes. Today, it is covered in grass and
ground cover blanketing Kill Devil Hill. Each milestone marked by a
granite marker.
Climbing up Kill Devil Hill to get a
closer look at the monument to Orville and Wilbur Wright and
contemplate the Day December 17th, 1908 when man was freed
from the bounds of earth. It sure would have been nice if the
visitors center with all it's displays and video's were available,
but it just means I'll have to come back here one more time. Lots
of emotions for me as I leave this historic site. As well a highly
inspirational visit.
It never hurts to ask.
We have had quite a bit of rain over
this past week and with me getting ready to head out to my next
destination on Sunday, I've been concerned I might not be able to
pull my camper out of the sloping campsite. After all, my truck is
only a two wheel drive, not a 4 wheel drive. The soil around here
has gotten soaked and my truck has been slipping and a sliding coming
and going from the campsite. It never hurts to ask, so I called and
voiced my concern to the person in charge and they said they'd have
someone available if I needed to be towed out Sunday morning. But
today, they went the extra mile and actually brought a truck load of
gravel and dirt and put it down in front of my camper. I should be
good to go Sunday morning.
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| adding gravel on a very soggy site before I attempt to leave on Sunday |
Edenton North Carolina
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| moved from it's original location now a part of the waterfront in town |
There are many historical towns in this
area of NE North Carolina. One I was told about is Edenton. It sits
on the wide Roanoke River front and it has a vibrant downtown. Not
only does the town have gorgeous historical buildings, it's the
little things that add up to making a great town to explore. No
parking meters. Brick lined sidewalks. Not a single
telephone/electric pole throughout the main street downtown area.
And at the end of main street is the Roanoke River marina including a
light house. Imagine sailing your boat right up to the marina and
being able to visit the downtown area not even a half a block away.
Trolley tours only cost $10. A great coffee shop. What more could
you ask for.
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| even an old theater showing current films |
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| the Cupola House |
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| visitor center, house tour, river front |
Well there's lots more, including one
of the oldest courthouses in the country, 1767. The Cupola House is
250 years old. I'm told their mayor has been in office for over 25
years. Why you ask. Because he promised to ensure the downtown area
would remain active and vibrant. He's done a great job and still
does.
Final note. This is one of those
oddities that occur to me more often than you'd think. I'm been
reading a period piece called “Murder by Misrule”. One of the
main characters is Captain Sir Walter Raleigh. The last two location
I've visited here in North Carolina have a strong connection to Sir
Walter Raleigh. The Edenton area was first visited by the Sir
Walter Raleigh. And when visiting the tobacco museum, it was
mentioned that Captain Raleigh was give a percentage of all tax
revenues from tobacco by Queen Elizabeth. Now that's what I call a
strong coincidence.
More photos:
Windsor City North Carolina
Windsor City, Misc
Hope Plantation, Windsor NC
Kitty Hawk, Wright Brothers 1st flight
Edenton North Carolina
Windsor City, Misc
Hope Plantation, Windsor NC
Kitty Hawk, Wright Brothers 1st flight
Edenton North Carolina
