Cape Lookout

Sometimes the most beautiful places are the most remote. There is something romantic and reassuring about feeling as if you are somewhere far from the busy-ness of life. Over the years, I’ve found that visiting places that may be crowded during the summer tourist season but are empty and serene during the offseason can be especially rewarding.

Earlier this month, I camped near the coast and took the Harkers Island Ferry around Shackleford Banks to Cape Lookout, then decided to walk far away from the dock, the boardwalks, and the picturesque lighthouse. Eventually, I found myself on a long stretch of beach where no human footsteps could be seen in the sand.

Along the way, I discovered beams from of an old boat that had washed up on the shore. I saw a rusted out axle from an old car that got stuck in the sand, and I came upon a recently deceased pelican that seemed more like it was sleeping than dead. Of course, I photographed them all.

But in the end, the tide pools, the sand, marshes, and seashells were my primary companions. Hopefully, the photo above captures the feeling of my solitary walk along the cape more than any words I can write.