Weekend in Pamlico

Our first North Carolina roadtrip! This weekend Jon & I took off to the coastal areas - we were originally headed to the beaches near Wilmington, but rain forecasts forced us to make last minute alterations to our plans. Instead, we headed a bit further north to the Pamlico Sound and went camping at Goose Creek State Park. We finally got to use the new tent that we got for our wedding (thanks, Jess & Alissa!!) - it was sweet!!
We knew we were no longer in Ohio when we pitched our tent in SAND! Our camp site was just a short walk from the waterfront. There were several fun trails and boardwalks throughout the park - we saw several creatures that we thought we just lizards, but later found out they were "green anoles" and "five-lined skinks." I was a bit tense as we hiked because of the posted signs warning hikers about poisonous snakes in the area. I'm used to our harmless little garden snakes in Ohio, but down here you have to watch for cottonmouths, king snakes, black rat snakes, etc. Yikes!

This weekend excursion was just the first of many to come! Shortly after moving to NC, I bought this book - "North Carolina Weekends" - and began to dream up all of the exploration we're going to do while we live here. This was "Weekend in Pamlico" - one down, 42 roadtrips to go! :) Next time we're hoping to cross the sound and check out the Outer Banks. We learn more and more about the unique culture of North Carolina each time we step out of Chapel Hill. This weekend we both experienced a true Carolina meal - barbecue, collards, hush puppies, and sweet tea. Welcome to the South! (By the way, when you see "barbecue" on the menu down here - it means a plate full of shredded pork marinated in vinegar. No bun, no sauce, just pork. It's not the barbecue that us Montgomery Inn lovers are used to!)