Newport, North Carolina

After leaving Asheboro, North Carolina we traveled 210 miles east to the coast for a week-long stay in Newport, North Carolina. Newport is a small town just outside the Crystal Coast region of Carteret County (an area of beaches and towns that stretch from the Emerald Isle to Cape Lookout) and is situated in the Croatan National Forest along the scenic Newport River. Although a coastal town, it is a little bit inland, and away from the heavy tourist areas. We were there in October 2018, a month after Hurricane Florence, and we saw a lot of damage from flood waters that impacted the town.

We spent one day touring Emerald Isle on our bikes, a town on the Bogue Banks. The population is just under 4,000 but as many as 50,000 tourists inhabit the area during the summer season, filling up the many beach houses and rental properties that line the oceanfront streets. There is only one oceanfront hotel, and that has allowed Emerald Isle to maintain a family-oriented atmosphere. We enjoyed the natural surroundings, looking at the many different styles of beach houses, and walking along the natural and rugged shoreline.

We also stopped for a quick visit at Fort Macon State Park. Although nowadays the danger of a naval attack along the North Carolina coast seems remote, during the 18^th and 19^th centuries this region was highly vulnerable to attack. Blackbeard and other infamous pirates were known to have passed through the Inlet at will. Today, the fully restored park is open to visitors, free of charge offering nature trails, ranger guided tours, a protected swim area, refreshment stand, and bathhouse.