Took the Miata for a road trip from Cleveland to Oak Island, NC and back. Saw a lot of interesting nature during the trip.
Our first night on the beach, I 'almost' tripped over a Laugerhead turtle laying her eggs. About 15 years ago we saw some turtles hatching on Sunset Beach NC (usually an August event). The next two days we watched a dolphin parade in the morning. At one point, they were about 40-50 feet offshore and I was about 30 feet from them.
After a week on the beach, we took a two day ride to get home. Took the backroads of NC (US-74 and NC 52) to pickup the Blue Ridge parkway, just a little west of the I-77 crossing. Spent the night in Roanoke, then back onto the parkway Sunday morning. About 15 miles into the trip a black bear, about 300 lbs, kind of 'fell' off of the hillside and on to the road, about 20 feet away from us. We were in the Miata with the top down. Fortunately, he was more interested in getting back up the hill and less interested in us. About 20 miles further down the road we spotted another black bear (near Mawby Mill). This one was lumbering across the road, about 50 feet in front of us. We backed off and let him cross, then disappear into the woods.
I must admit, I had a little fun with the small car on some of the roads, especially US250 from Stauton, VA to Elkin, WV. Even though the car is an automatic, it can be used as an auto-stick with the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Ran a few twisties with the same passion that I have when on a bike. When we stopped for gas, Holly jumped into the drivers seat and drove the rest of the way home.
Oak Island looking past the Cape Fear river outlet toward Bald Head Island.
Our first night on the beach, I 'almost' tripped over a Laugerhead turtle laying her eggs. About 15 years ago we saw some turtles hatching on Sunset Beach NC (usually an August event). The next two days we watched a dolphin parade in the morning. At one point, they were about 40-50 feet offshore and I was about 30 feet from them.
After a week on the beach, we took a two day ride to get home. Took the backroads of NC (US-74 and NC 52) to pickup the Blue Ridge parkway, just a little west of the I-77 crossing. Spent the night in Roanoke, then back onto the parkway Sunday morning. About 15 miles into the trip a black bear, about 300 lbs, kind of 'fell' off of the hillside and on to the road, about 20 feet away from us. We were in the Miata with the top down. Fortunately, he was more interested in getting back up the hill and less interested in us. About 20 miles further down the road we spotted another black bear (near Mawby Mill). This one was lumbering across the road, about 50 feet in front of us. We backed off and let him cross, then disappear into the woods.
I must admit, I had a little fun with the small car on some of the roads, especially US250 from Stauton, VA to Elkin, WV. Even though the car is an automatic, it can be used as an auto-stick with the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Ran a few twisties with the same passion that I have when on a bike. When we stopped for gas, Holly jumped into the drivers seat and drove the rest of the way home.
Oak Island looking past the Cape Fear river outlet toward Bald Head Island.
A school of dolphins just off the coast.
Blue Ridge Parkway... just one of the many scenic overlooks.
Mawby Mill on the BRP. Just north of Roanoke.
Classic sunset on the BRP.
The scary part was the crazy guy in the motorhome that was keeping up with me. He Skip, were were you last Sunday????
