Headed to Va and OBX

[Pixie Susan]

Hey y'all,

Headed to the Outer Banks next month. We'll be leaving Nashville and going through Virginia and then entering OBX on the north end. Planning on working our way down and then taking the ferry off the south end and coming back home through NC. We're taking the small generator for this trip.

If anyone has any advice, "must see's", hot spots or recommendations on this journey, please feel free to share them! We'll be taking our backpacking gear in case we need to get off the beaten path.


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[lrrowe]

Susan, if you going thru Virginia through the Roanoke area and turn East, you will then be going the way my wife and I head to Cape Hatteras. We like rte. 460 all the way to Suffock and Cheasepeake VA, and then using 168, headed South all the way to OBX. It is a very easy drive and since it is not an interstate, the speed limit is reduced. There will be many road signs on which roads to take when you get close to 168. There have been some new routes established there and I cannot swear that there is not a slight twist here and there relative to getting on 168. Again, just follow the signs.

After Richmond/Petersburg area and then slightly more then 1/2 way to Suffock, is a well known and a "have to stop at" restaurant, The Virginia Diner. Not only do you get a good meal, you can load up on Virginia Peanuts. I think it is near or in the town of Wakefield.

The first OBX sites you should see are Kitty Hawk (think Wright Brothers) and maybe you will want to stop there. For many miles, through Nags Head, you will find all the typical seaside tourist trap stores.

Then while in Buxton on Hatteras Island (Pea Island) you should should stop and climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse which was moved inland about 1 mile to protect it from the eroding waves. There are campgrounds and good seafood restaurants in the area. If you have 4 wheel drive, you have to drive on the beach. If not, there are many parking areas to stop and and walk over. If you are anglers, then throw a line into the surf. But be warned, to drive on the beach and to fish you need a permit and license.

Before you get to Buxton, while entering Pea Island, , there is a bird walk area which may be of interest. Watch for the signs. There is a lot of wind surfing going happening on the sound side and they are fun to stop and watch.

South of Cape Hatteras is the first ferry to Oracoke Island. About 10 miles in, the first eatery, Howards, you have got to stop for some fantastic seafood lunches. It is a trip we must make every time we head to Cape Hatters. Then head a short ways to a nice town to walk around in before you get on the last ferry to the NC coast. Beyond that, I cannot help. But it will be a great trip for you.

Wish we were going with you. Maybe in the fall. And that reminds me, expect crowds and lots of families with kids.

[Pixie Susan]

Susan, if you going thru Virginia through the Roanoke area and turn East, you will then be going the way my wife and I head to Cape Hatteras. We like rte. 460 all the way to Suffock and Cheasepeake VA, and then using 168, headed South all the way to OBX. It is a very easy drive and since it is not an interstate, the speed limit is reduced. There will be many road signs on which roads to take when you get close to 168. There have been some new routes established there and I cannot swear that there is not a slight twist here and there relative to getting on 168. Again, just follow the signs.

After Richmond/Petersburg area and then slightly more then 1/2 way to Suffock, is a well known and a "have to stop at" restaurant, The Virginia Diner. Not only do you get a good meal, you can load up on Virginia Peanuts. I think it is near or in the town of Wakefield.

The first OBX sites you should see are Kitty Hawk (think Wright Brothers) and maybe you will want to stop there. For many miles, through Nags Head, you will find all the typical seaside tourist trap stores.

Then while in Buxton on Hatteras Island (Pea Island) you should should stop and climb the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse which was moved inland about 1 mile to protect it from the eroding waves. There are campgrounds and good seafood restaurants in the area. If you have 4 wheel drive, you have to drive on the beach. If not, there are many parking areas to stop and and walk over. If you are anglers, then throw a line into the surf. But be warned, to drive on the beach and to fish you need a permit and license.

Before you get to Buxton, while entering Pea Island, , there is a bird walk area which may be of interest. Watch for the signs. There is a lot of wind surfing going happening on the sound side and they are fun to stop and watch.

South of Cape Hatteras is the first ferry to Oracoke Island. About 10 miles in, the first eatery, Howards, you have got to stop for some fantastic seafood lunches. It is a trip we must make every time we head to Cape Hatters. Then head a short ways to a nice town to walk around in before you get on the last ferry to the NC coast. Beyond that, I cannot help. But it will be a great trip for you.

Wish we were going with you. Maybe in the fall. And that reminds me, expect crowds and lots of families with kids.

That is a wealth of information and I cannot thank you enough! It really helps me place some pinpoints on the route. Many thanks for your time! We were headed west again this year and decided we really needed to see the ocean so we came up with OBX since neither of us have been there.

Looking forward to it!

Cheers!

[lrrowe]

Susan, I will PM you a link to my website where I have lots of OBX photos if you are interested. They are mostly related to surf fishing.

I can add that a stop in the town of Appomattox, west of Lynchburg, is where the Civil war ended. I must confess that I have not been there.

[Pixie Susan]

Susan, I will PM you a link to my website where I have lots of OBX photos if you are interested. They are mostly related to surf fishing.

I can add that a stop in the town of Appomattox, west of Lynchburg, is where the Civil war ended. I must confess that I have not been there.

Sounds great! Thanks!

[steve cowan]

We visited Appomattox several years ago.Interestingly the original Courthouse and area where the Civil War ended is 3 miles east of present day Appomattox.
It was reestablished there because the courthouse burned around 1892 and the town was set up in its present location due to its proximity to a railroad line.
The original courthouse ,McLean house,jail ,stores and homes are where they stood in 1865.The site is ran by the National Park Service and the area undeveloped.Neat to visit.Also ,Thomas Jefferson's weekend home [Poplar Forest] is a nice site to visit.It is near Lynchburg.

[lrrowe]

Thanks Steve.
And given that Appomattox is only about 2 hrs. from me, I do need to make that stop. And close to there I know there is a converted train bed hiking/biking trail with a long stretch on an old train trestle.
http://www.traillink.com/trail/high-bridge-trail.aspx