JIM COLYER AT CAPE HATTERAS

The Outer Banks are a string of islands off the North Carolina coast. On September 1, 1983, Karen and I ferried 27 miles across Pamlico Sound from Swanquarter to Okracoke Island. The ferry ride was one of the highlights of our trip. We took the car on the boat. We were surrounded by water as far as we could see. It was drizzling rain. Birds glided overhead, and Karen spotted jellyfish swimming by. We spent the night on Okracoke.

The next morning, we headed up the islands. The deserted beaches were peaceful, and I helped Karen collect shells. Crabs would see us and scurry to their holes in the sand.

On Hatteras Island, we partially ascended the black and white striped lighthouse. We backed down. Karen was pregnant. There had been a miscarriage in March, and I was taking no chances.

On Bodie Island, we passed through towns whose fame had preceded them, Nag's Head and Kitty Hawk. At Kitty Hawk, we saw the spot where the Wright Brothers made the first flight in 1903. We saw a replica of their Flyer.

We crossed over to Roanoke Island. This was the site of Sir Walter Raleigh's Lost Colony, England's first attempt to settle in America. Our trip maintained a colonial flavor. In Virginia, we visited Williamsburg, that colony's capital in the 18th century.

We passed through Virginia Beach and Richmond to complete our loop back to Interstate 40.