The only bridge that connects Cape Hatteras to the rest of the world has been inspected by the Department of Transportation. It's condition has been rated as four out of one hundred. Not four out of ten...four out of one hundred. If you're driving across the Bonner Bridge, sneezing is probably a bad idea.
The state of this gateway to heaven came to my attention as I checked out a post on Bill's OBX Beach Life. I've been thinking about a Pamlico Pilgrimage almost daily for several weeks...the van is loaded, my wife has pre-blessed the trip...all I've been waiting for has been a promising forecast. I've been thinking about that perfect moment when you crest the bridge and see Hatteras stretching off to the horizon. I NEED that moment (or something quite similar) now and in the future.
Some years ago after a hurricane came through the Outer Banks and did the usual (damage, but nothing the lighthouse and the locals couldn't handle, or sail for that matter) Clay Feeter served up one of my favorite Wind Tracks quotes, something like:
That's why you appreciate Hatteras...you never know if it's going to be there next year.
Now we can also appreciate that there's a way to get there...now. People advocating the replacement of the Bonner Bridge can be found and assisted at www.replacethebridgenow.com.
I loved your post and totally agree about the feeling when you top the bridge and see Hatteras Island spread out before you :) That's similar to the feeling when my feet touch the sand and hear the waves crashing on the shore :)I checked the Save the Bridge website, awesome info. You don't have any insights or website links for information about the building of Route 12 on Hatteras Island do you? If so, I'd love the details.
Nikki Leigh
Posted by: Nikki Leigh | April 12, 2007 at 04:39 PM
I don't, but I'll bet Bill does. Click on the link to his site in the post above, or try this:
http://obxbeachlife.blogspot.com/2007/03/poll-results-and-new-poll-question.html#comments
He lives down there and is quite mindfull of the Outer Banks specialness. I just visit a few times each year.
Thanks for the kind words!
Posted by: Peconic Puffin (Michael) | April 12, 2007 at 04:48 PM