Jockey's Ridge State Park Nags Head NC

Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags head, North Carolina is a 427 acre park that is home to the tallest living sand dunes on the East Coast. We had a wonderful 70 degree day to explore, our first warm day in North Carolina. We parked at the trailhead on the backside of the dunes. There was a beautiful protected cove where you can swim, paddle, kiteboard and windsurf. The park has three ecosystems, the dunes, maritime forest and the Roanoke Sound. 

Boardwalk to the Roanoke Sound

Beautiful Protected Cove

Shallow Waters

Beach

Entry to Jockey's Ridge State Park is free. The dunes are a popular place for kite flying and hang gliding as well as hiking and sand boarding. There is a 1.5 mile trail that takes you over the dunes to the sound then back. We took the .9 mile Soundside Nature Trail through Live Oaks, Pines and Sweet Gum trees. Wax Myrtle and bayberry filled in the underbrush. Pets are allowed in the park but must be leashed. The sand was cool during our visit but signs warned that it can get extremely hot in the summertime. It is recommended to protect the paws of your pet when you visit.

We enjoyed our hike and the gorgeous views. We watched as a hang glider hopeful learned the ropes. Many people were kite flying while others rested on the peak of the dunes. We were amazed at the views of the Atlantic Ocean and the town of Nags Head. We heard that the sunsets are gorgeous! That alone, will bring us back to this amazing place.

Kite Flying at the ridge

One of the highest dunes

Heading for the Nature Trail

Enjoying the view of the Atlantic

First attempt at hang gliding

The instructor runs alongside for the landing

Kites and more kites

The Wright Brothers Monument Kitty Hawk

This was our second year visiting the Outer Banks! After a night of heavy rain and high winds we woke to clear skies with 39 degree temps. In spite of the chill, we drove from Elizabeth City to the Outer Banks and hiked the Wright Brother's Multi-Use Trail along the Catawba River and through the lovely neighborhood of Kill Devil Hills in Kitty Hawk. The sky was bright blue, the air crisp and chilly.

View along the multi-use trail 

Beautiful cove on the Catawba River

After hiking, we visited the Wright Brothers Monument, learning a lot about the early days of aviation and the tenacity of the brothers from Ohio who spent their lives learning to fly. Their work was the beginning of powered flight and led to aviation as we know it today.

Wright Brother's National Memorial Visitor Center

Full Scale replica of 1903 Wright Flyer

Hangars at Wright Brothers National Monument

Flight Distance Markers

Fourth Flight Marker 852 feet

End of 4th flight marker

Monument

Monument overlooking the Atlantic Ocean

First Flight Airstrip

First Flight Airstrip

Before returning to Elizabeth City, we drove to Manteo and walked the river trail to the Roanoke Island Festival Park. This was our daily walk last year when we stayed in Manteo. We drove the Manteo loop, over the highway 64 bridge, crossing from the northern tip of Roanoke Island to Manns Harbor, then back over the causeway to Nags Head. The bridge was closed last year. Only one lane was open this year.

By midweek, the temperature had dropped to 34. We drove to the Dismal Swamp Canal Visitors Center and hiked the boardwalk trail through swampy marshes, then north on the canal trail until it ended. It runs along the Dismal Swamp Canal which some Loopers transit on their way north to Virginia from North Carolina. It's shallow so we were not able to take our deep draft Alberg 35, Mystic, through but we transited it in our Coronado, Keewatin in 1982. 

The Martha Washington trail was just off the Canal Trail. We walked about a mile on it before turning back. We hopped on the Supple Jack Trail that appeared to run parallel to the canal trail but turned back because it headed away from our car. It was beautiful, shaded and covered in moss. A deer was eating new shoots in the swamp. She raised her head to acknowledge us but continued on with her meal, unbothered by our presence. The trails are very swampy. 

We enjoy seeing new places but also love visiting the special areas we've seen before. North Carolina continues to draw us back. We find adventure each time we are there.

Dismal Swamp Canal mile 26

Hiking the canal trail

Supple Jack Trail Dismal Swamp

The Beach Road Corolla NC

The village of Corolla is between the Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. We visited the Outer Banks last year, spending a day in Corolla. Wild horses roam through the village, along the beach and over the sand dunes. After having no luck last year, we returned to hike and, hopefully, see the horses.

Highway 12 is a 148 mile road traversing the Outer Banks of North Carolina. An 11 mile beach road begins where Highway 12 ends in Corolla. It runs all the way to the Virginia State line but only four wheel drive travel is allowed. Vehicles are required to lower the air pressure in their tires before going out on the sand. There are free air down/air up stations in Corolla. 

The road is above the high tide line in somewhat packed sand. We walked along the shore as cars drove next to us. The speed limit is 35 mph and vehicles are supposed to stay a minimum of 50 feet away from pedestrians and animals but the road can be narrow at high tide. There is no parking along the first 1.5 miles. Beyond this point, parking permits are required. We were surprised at how many vehicles use the road to drive north. Construction vehicles, including a cement truck, drove right beside by. The road provides access to the Carova beach neighborhood which is tucked into the dunes and has unpaved roads. The wild horses are known to hang out there.

The Corolla beach is dotted with remnants of 100+ year old ghost forests. The pines and cedars were destroyed by salt water and swallowed by the surf as the sea level rose. The power of the ocean is incredible. We discovered a massive green marker, sitting high in the dunes. It was most likely placed there during a storm.

We had a great day hiking the beach road in spite of not crossing paths with any wild horses. Maybe next time! We are certain that we will return.

Currituck Lighthouse beach view

Corolla Beach Houses

Beach Road

Cement truck on the beach road

Green marker high on the dunes

Pelicans over the dunes

Pelicans in flight

Ghost forest along Corolla Beach

 

Seagulls waiting

The Secret Room - Elizabeth City, NC

The Historic River City Lodge is on Fearing Street in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The main building was built in the 1800s. It is advertised as a wedding venue with three suites available for your wedding party. In addition, there is a separate studio called The Secret Room. I'm not sure how it got it's name, however, it was nearly hidden from view, tucked between the lodge and the building next door. The windows were dark with heavy curtains and could easily be mistaken for an emergency exit. We kept that door locked when we were in the suite which was a good thing. Someone who was a bit lost tried to enter before realizing it was not the front door to the lodge. It felt private and separate from the other suites. We could come and go without being seen or seeing the hosts or other guests. The Secret Room shared walls with the lodge so we could hear everything going on in the main building and at the Biergarten. The lodge is in the historic downtown where roads are paved with Baltimore cobblestones. 

Historic River City Lodge - 1847

Cobblestone road - Baltimore bricks

The Secret Room was clean and comfortable. Our hosts, Donnie and Olivia left us snacks and a gift card to the local coffeehouse, Muddy Waters, just a couple blocks away. They also provided us with access to a local gym. The studio had a kitchen and private bath. A door in the back of the suite led to the Leatherneck Lounge where we could play pool and do our laundry for free. The River City Lodge Biergarten was just off the lounge. During the summer they offered music on the patio behind the lodge.

The Secret Room tucked between buildings 

Front door to the Secret Room

Reflections

Kitchen

Looking out of the Secret Room

Comfortable and inviting

Living area with lots of room

Kitchenette with bathroom down hall

Our hosts invited us to the St. Patrick's Day celebration. We joined many locals in full Irish regalia for karaoke. The place was mobbed. We took the last open table in a small entryway room by the door and enjoyed one beer, just a little disappointed that we didn't get to talk to anyone. On Thursday, the Biergarten was open again featuring great acoustic music. We sat by the bar and stage along with a moderate crowd. We met Alice who told us she'd moved to EC, (as the locals call the town), ten years earlier from Long Island. She had a strong New York accent that had weathered her time in the south. We sat with Alice and her husband, along with their friends, all night long, listening to their stories about back home and life in North Carolina. By the end of the night Alice was trying to convince us to move there. We really enjoyed the evening!

Alice took a photo of us on the Patio

St. Patrick's Day in EC

The lodge is close to the historic downtown restaurants and breweries. We got to know Elizabeth City on long walks through town. We visited both college campuses and spent a morning at the Maritime Museum learning about the nautical history of the area. We also walked along the Pasquotank River through the upscale neighborhoods.

Maritime Museum

Shad boat in Maritime Museum 

Pailin's Alley

Fire Hydrant Table in Pailin's Alley

Pool Street Park

Puschkinia was blooming everywhere

Elizabeth City Water Tower

Cool windows in deserted building 

The River City Lodge was a great spot for us to stage our week of adventures in the Outer Banks, as well as make visits to local communities. Since it was off season, our stay was very reasonable. The locals were friendly and our hosts were attentive without being invasive. We came and went from the Secret Room almost completely undetected. We would book the Secret Room again! It was worth it!

Enjoying a sunny day on the patio
at River City Lodge