In The Carolina Outer Banks

Firstly I am in the Carolina Outer Banks on a quest to find the ultimate weather beaten old school beach town. Learn more in Carolina-Outer-Banks-Quest-Bob Davis Podcast 988,

Atlantic Coast Challenges

Secondly from Florida to North Carolina the Atlantic coast is a challenge for travelers.

Back Roads Always

Even more I’m staying off the interstates and taking the back roads.

On The East Coast A Lot Of Frustration

Traveling off the interstates adds up to a lot of stop and go traffic and frustration.

Myrtle Beach…Oh God

For example Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Welcome To New Jersey

Stop and go traffic. An endless stream of shopping centers. Auto Parts stores. Worn miniature golf places.

Beach? We Don’t Need No Stinking Beaches!

In the same vein you can’t get to the beach. Too many high rises and retirement villages.

Memories of Florida…Back In The Day

On the other hand I can always revert to halcyon memories of Florida back in the day. Before the onslaught of development.

Outer Banks

Most importantly we come to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Finally

Finally the Atlantic Ocean. Without having to park in a high rise parking lot.

Weather Beaten Villages

Moreover this is where you’ll find the weather beaten, old school villages.

Welcome Home To The National Seashores

Meanwhile as I drive these National Seashores and stay in the National Parks Campgrounds I realize the importance of these designations.

Certainly there are some who feel the national park system can be over bearing.

Without National Reserve Designations…More Golf Resorts

However especially here I get the impression that without these national designations, these coastlines would just be more condos and golf resorts.

Development Done Poorly

To sum up, I’m not even talking about environmental stuff so much here as the fact that development in these resort communities is often done poorly.

Essential

In short while I suppose development is essential for communities, sometimes it’s better for everyone is it isn’t allowed at all.

Wiping Out History

Likewise the urge to put in golf villages, hotels and condos all along what used to be a pristine coast may or may not be an environmental issue. However it does have the effect of wiping out history.

Back To The Memories

Finally I go back to the memories of visiting the Atlantic Coast as a boy, especially in Florida.