Cruising the Beach Road

In my younger years, NC 12 ran within sight of the Atlantic, through Nags Head to Cape Hatteras along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. You passed shingled cottages and single-story motels. Then came the gold rush of northern tourists with its explosion of strip malls, and condos, and restaurants, and tourist traps. They built a five lane bypass a quarter-mile or so inland to manage the constant buzz of people hurrying somewhere to relax. I still prefer the old Beach Road with it 35mph pace and some of the old beach flavor. I took the Beach Road a few weeks ago.

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