Wednesday, June 18, 2008-Frisco Campground, NC

We awoke early this morning and drove to Kitty Hawk NC. This is where the nearest car dealer is located that can check our truck. Victory Chevrolet is seventy miles north on Route twelve and the drive took just less that two hours. The speed limits on the two lane roads are slow, slower and stop. The roads are scenic and best traveled at a leisurely pace.

We just spoke to Sean, the service consultant, and the news is good. Since we are still covered by the new truck warranty, we will  not be charged. The problem is a sensor that detects if too much water is in the fuel. It is defective. That explains the poor starting and oil leak. None of us, including Sean, understand how it works and what is leaking. He said that when we returned, he would be able to explain what happened. Sean also told us he ordered the part to be sent overnight, and should arrive tomorrow around 1:00. If it comes in then, we will drive back and have it installed. If not tomorrow, then Friday.

Last night, we fixed spaghetti in the slow cooker. Tonight we will have second helpings. When we camp, we usually eat food, such as salad, steak, and salmon. All great food. We use the grill to keep the camper cool. After a while, we get a craving for something spicy and spaghetti fills the bill. Family guys, remember the story when I was in Rome and the waiter took away the parmesan cheese? That makes the spaghetti taste even better.

On the way back to our campground, we stopped at the Hatteras Lighthouse, took some pictures and saw the visitor center. Sue found a great ceramic tile of a lighthouse. When we were paying for the tile, the cashier told us about a book, Taffy of Torpedo Junction. It's a true story about a teenage girl that lived in the area during World War II. She was captured by a Nazi landing party and was presumed dead. Taffy was a teacher and now is in her eighties. She still lives in the area. Sue bought the book and is reading it as I type.

Today was the coolest day we have had since we arrived at the Outer Banks. At 6:00 PM the temperature was 77 º F. Luke, remember what the F stands for? Today is also the clearest day we have had. The local wildfire smoke from the mainland has obscured the view much of the time.  Today, the horizon is sharp and the area where the Hatteras Lighthouse is located, Cape Point, is visible from our camper. It is about ten miles to the north along the coast. As we look  north on the horizon, the sand dunes slowly rise above the water line. This is the first time we have noticed Cape  Point. At night, we can see the light from the Hatteras Lighthouse as it rotates. The beam of light is visible every half turn.

This is an incredible place, if you like nothing but nature, sky, ocean, birds and sand. That's all there is here. Further north are the motels and fast food restaurants. We are dry camping and have been here a week. We hope to stay until next Wednesday and then leave for the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park. We make all travel decisions on a day to day basis. Bill, remember after your wedding, everyone was asking Sue and I where we were going camping. We said we didn't know but we would decide after we started driving. We ended up in the Smokey Mountain National Park.

Bob and Sue