Today’s adventures took me back in time to the lost colony of Roanoke. History tells us that English settlers landed here before Jamestown, but the colony mysteriously disappeared. So I took a long drive over on Roanoke Island to see the sights there. Among the attractions are a “settlement,” a replica of a sailing vessel, and a formal garden dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. I thought it might be a nice place to spend some time out-of-doors.
The history was far more interesting than the displays at the park. They showed both Indian dwellings and settler tents along with the ship that brought some of the settlers here. It never ceases to amaze me just how small those ships were that carried people across the ocean – it’s surprising any of them make it with their sanity intact.
At the lost colony…
The Elizabethan Gardens have been created by the North Carolina Garden Club, and it really is quite a lovely spot – very formal. Many Spring blooms, azaleas, roses, peonies – ancient oaks and huge magnolia trees. I could hang out there for awhile – or I would have if the showers hadn’t blown in!
Spring!!
Traveling down to Roanoke and back, I got to see more of the outer banks… at least what can be seen on either side of the road that runs top to bottom. Up here in Corolla, there isn’t all that much to see – mature plantings line both sides of the road, offering privacy to the home owners. Down at Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, it’s a little more commercial, with shopping centers and stores lining the road – with huge houses behind dotting the landscape toward the beach in no discernible pattern. In Monteo, on Roanoke Island, it’s pristine with more green grass yards and landscaped trees on either side of the roadway. Each town has its own personality; it’s kind-of cool. I think I picked the best place to stay… more secluded and quiet. The only problem is the distance between here and a decent dinner – which I have yet to find! Maybe tomorrow will be the charm.
It was also a changeable day weather-wise. Scattered downpours interspersed with bright sunshine. See how it looked from the beach this morning before I left. It was cloudy at nightfall, and I didn’t make it down to the beach… back in the room trying to wrestle my cold into submission. 🙁
Today’s beach pictures…
By the way, should you ever be asked, I would advise that you decline taking a Spring cold on vacation with you. I don’t know if mine is representative of the rest of its ilk, but I have to say it’s not the best traveling companion. It keeps me up nights with its hacking cough, and it keeps me dragging into the morning when even I would prefer to be up and about. I’ve been trying to appease it with cough medicine and lots of hot tea, but it hasn’t been giving me a break. I’m still stuffy, headachy, and slightly befuddled. So a word to the wise… leave any colds you may have at home! If I really could go back in time… I would certainly do the same!
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