It was our fourth day and it was an outdoor one today. I started the day like yesterday with a lovely sunrise over the Atlantic. However, unlike yesterday, where we walked the beach, today we decided to head out and hike some of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail (MST). For those who don't know this trail starts at Clingmans Dome in the Smokies and crosses the state of North Carolina. While the path has been laid just over half is dedicated trial. I heard some different things about this part of the MST, but the part of the trail we where hiking was the closest to Emerald Isle. The trailhead was in the Croatan National Forest at the Oyster Point Campground. Also, this part of the MST follows the entire Neusiok Trail, which runs 20.4 miles from Pine Cliff Recreation Area to Oyster Point. The drive wasn't too bad but it was strange because there wasn't a sign for the campground. When we reached the parking area it seemed clear, but as we started down the trail it still had some flooded spots complements of Joaquin (the area had only been open since yesterday at noon). So, because of this and the giant mosquito's (you could hear and see them) I only hiked one-mile out and back. The second part of the day was at Fort Macon. This North Carolina State Park is the site of the old fort which overlooks Beaufort Inlet. Built in 1834 this American fort changed hands twice in the Civil War was refurbished by the Civilian Conservation Corp and served during World War II. It had cool exhibits on its history and yes it had plenty of canons. There is also a museum in the visitor center, so a day at the fort is worth the trip. I also hiked the Nature Trail Trail (it also showed signs of flooding) and hiked down the beach. It was here where I got us turn around trying to cross a tidal pool, but we made it back to the parking area. Once back, after sitting at the beach, we went for pizza at Michelangelo's Pizza on the isle. It was a long, but fun day on the trail and at the fort.
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