This book is the realization of one of my fondest dreams: a great, abiding desire to tell the fascinating stories of the North Carolina coast. The realization of my dream has not been achieved without the dedication, assistance, and kindness of many people. To name everyone who has helped in this effort would be impossible, but there are some special people to whom I am especially indebted.
In the entire world, there are no more gracious people than those who live on the North Carolina coast. Whether I was in a library researching local history, on a backroad seeking directions, or at a rural church hoping to get inside on a weekday, the people of the coast were always genuinely interested in lending a helping hand.
The staffs at the North Carolina Collection and the Southern Historical Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at the State Archives in Raleigh were helpful and considerate on each of my many visits.
The folks at John F. Blair, Publisher, have been a real pleasure to work with throughout this project. In the fine tradition begun by Mr. Blair more than forty years ago, they are truly dedicated to publishing quality books on the history, geography, and culture of North Carolina and the Southeast.
Carolyn Sakowski, the president of Blair and the author of the first book in the Touring the Backroads series, saw merit in my manuscript from the outset and has given much of her time and attention to the project from day one. Steve Kirk, my editor, has provided his professional advice and expertise with patience and a smile. Debbie Hampton, Judy Breakstone, Anne Schultz, and the rest of the staff at John F. Blair have worked to make this book a success.
In my hometown, I am grateful to my dear friends Judge John R. Friday and Darrell Harkey for their never-ending support and loyalty.
My family—my wife, my daughter, and my parents—have been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement.
Much of the original manuscript, written in my favorite No. 3 pencils, was typed by my daughter, Kristie. Since her birth, Kristie has been a great travel companion for her parents, and the coast will always be a very special place for the three of us.
Above all, no one deserves more credit for this book than my wife, Kay. Over the course of this long project, she has traveled thousands of miles of coastal backroads and helped make the book as accurate as possible. She has endured hurricanes, torrential rainstorms, howling winds, sweltering heat, and pesky insects; she has asked for directions innumerable times; she has made hotel and ferry reservations; she has missed meals to get from one point to another; and she has read every word of the manuscript over and over and acted as my sounding board. In the bleak moments as well as the good, she has always been there with love, compliments, and patience.