Corolla

Located on the Outer Banks where route NC12 comes to an abrupt end, Corolla is the northern most town in eastern North Carolina.  Known for the wild Spanish horses that live in the dunes nearby, the town has a quiet, wooded historic center. It’s also surrounded by a host of giant vacation homes constructed in the last 20-30 years.

Visiting Corolla in the winter is something I’ve done many times.  Years ago my good friends, Jenn and John, managed the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, and they invited me to keep an eye on the property while they traveled to Mexico off-season. Back then, I read books most of the day, but I also ventured out to explore with my camera - sometimes driving south all the way down to Hatteras.

Perhaps the most unique thing about Corolla is that when NC12 dead ends, not everyone turns their car around.  Some folks own homes even further north, beyond the pavement. They drive 4-wheel-drive cars and trucks, swerve out into the sand, and just keep going. It’s strange to see people driving on the beach dodging old tree stumps and tide pools.

The sand holds the memory of their travels for just a few hours before the wind and the waves erase all evidence of their journey.