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Exploring the Southern Outer Banks: North Carolina’s National Lands

Program Number: 16519RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/7/2013 - 4/12/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Southern Outer Banks, North Carolina
Price starting at: $615.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: National Parks; Natural History
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian; Gluten Free    

Filled with fascinating natural and human stories, North Carolina’s Outer Banks hold a treasure trove of historic landmarks and national park lands. Investigate these stories as local historians offer a look at the region’s role in World War II history, the importance of its grand lighthouses, and at stories passed down from generations of native residents. Join naturalists for explorations of parklands and reserves, including the Croatan National Forest — one of the most undisturbed sites of longleaf pine savannah and home to more than 100 rare species.




Highlights

• Journey to an uninhabited barrier island to learn how the Rachel Carson Research Reserve tracks the health of estuaries and water quality.
• Explore the Keeper’s House at Cape Lookout National Seashore, home to one of North Carolina’s last working lighthouses.
• Trace the history of Fort Macon, from the Civil War to its role defending against German U-Boats in World War II.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles on gravel paths with slightly hilly terrain.



Coordinated by Trinity Conference Center.




Southern Outer Banks

The southern outpost of the scenic barrier islands known collectively as the "Outer Banks" is an ecologically rich region that stands in contrast to the more developed destinations in the north. This relative remoteness lends to quiet beaches, abundant wildlife and tranquil vistas.
Accommodations
Conference center located on 62-acre island preserve.
Meals and Lodgings
   Trinity Conference Center
  Salter Path, NC 5 nights
 Trinity Conference Center
Type: Conference Center
  Description: Our modern conference center features attractive meeting and dining areas, double occupancy rooms (limited singles, extra charge), private bath.
  Contact info: Salter Path Road
Salter Path, NC 28575 USA
phone: 252-247-5600
web: www.trinityctr.com/facilities.html
  Facility amenities: Outdoor pool is available mid-May to mid-October. 1500 feet of private beach on the Atlantic Ocean (no lifeguards). Limited internet access available upon request.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Additional nights prior: $35 for the room. Meals extra. Additional nights are offered on a space available basis. Meals can be added on individually. Breakfast is $8, Lunch is $9 and Dinner is $13.
  Check in time: 4:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $35 for the room. Meals extra. Additional nights are offered on a space available basis. Meals can be added on individually. Breakfast is $8, Lunch is $9 and Dinner is $13.
  Check out time: 9:30 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Registration at 4PM You will be staying at Trinity Conference Center that night.
  End of Program:
Depart after lunch which begins at 11:30 AM You will be staying at Trinity Conference Center the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Free parking on site. Long-term parking is between 100-300 feet from rooms.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Salter Path, NC
  Nearest city or town:  Pine Knoll Shores
  Nearest highway: NC Highway 58
  Nearest airport:  New Bern Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Salter Path, NC
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Raleigh

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

None - Car Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$45-$70/ day
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

3 
 

Distance:

 

170 miles
   

Renting a car is the only way to get directly from the Raleigh Airport to Trinity Center.
 

New Bern

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Cherry Cab Co.
phone: 252-447-3101

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$70
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 
 

Distance:

 

42.8
   

If flying into New Bern, taxi service is available. Rental cars are also available at the airport.

 

Jacksonville

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Carolina Express Transportation
phone: 910-353-3300

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$75
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hr 23 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

50 miles
   

If flying into Jacksonville, taxi service is available. Must call when you land or make prior arrangements for a pick up at the airport. Rental cars are also available at the airport.
 
Driving Directions
  From Highway 24 or Highway 70 From Highway 70: Follow US 70 into Morehead City. Follow signs to Atlantic Beach and cross the bridge onto Bogue Banks. Turn Right at the traffic light onto Highway 58 (West Fort Macon Road). Continue approximately 7 miles. Trinity Center is on the right, between mile markers 9 and 10. (If you pass the blue water tower, you have gone too far!) From Highway 24: Follow NC 24 through Swansboro. At the Highway 24 and 58 intersection, turn right. Cross the bridge to Emerald Isle. Continue approximately 11 miles. Trinity Center is on the left, between mile markers 10 and 9 (just past the blue water tower.)
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival/Check in/Social
(Sunday, April 7)
   
 Afternoon: Check in at the Registration Office. Wine Social from 5-6pm.
 Dinner: Dinner from 6-7pm
 Evening: A short introductory program.
   
Accommodations: Trinity Conference Center
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Explore Barrier Island systems Field trip to Rachel Carson Reserve Evening Presentation by Local Historian and Story Teller
(Monday, April 8)

Note: Class with some lecture and then a hike to explore the habitats found on a barrier island. Terrain is uneven and sandy ground. Golf cart is available.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast from 8-9am
 Morning: Program involving some lecture and a tour of our 62-acre reserve. Walk will cover approximately 1 mile, golf cart is available if needed.
 Lunch: Lunch from 12-1pm
 Afternoon: Field Trip to Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve. This half-mile interpretive trail on the west side of the Rachel Carson Reserve highlights the area’s common species and special features. The trail meanders through mudflats, uplands, and salt marshes, illustrating the various unique environments found in estuarine systems. A small herd of feral horses roams the islands and over 200 bird species have been recorded here.
 Dinner: Dinner from 6-7pm
 Evening: Lecture on history, culture and linguistics of area.
   
Accommodations: Trinity Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Field trip to Croatan National Forest. Join an expert on a hike through the pocosin forest as he points out local birds and plants found in the Croatan Forest. The Croatan Forest is also home to the largest collection of Carnivorous plants in any National Forest.
(Tuesday, April 9)

Note: Hike includes uneven trails. We will stop and different places in the vast forest. Participants will need to board and de-board the 15 passenger vans several times.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast from 8-9 am
 Morning: Program on lighthouses and lifesaving stations.
 Morning: A free morning for you to explore our wonderful coast.
 Lunch: Lunch from 12-1pm
 Afternoon: Field Trip to Fort Macon State Park to study its role from the time of the Civil War until its last working days protecting the coast from German U-Boats during WWII
 Dinner: Dinner from 6-7pm
 Evening: A live animal program.
   
Accommodations: Trinity Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Field Trip to Cape Lookout National Seashore and lighthouse. Field Trip to the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. Eat lunch at local seafood restaurant.
(Wednesday, April 10)

Note: Participants will board a passenger ferry. Cape Lookout has several boardwalk paths and optional sandy beach paths.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast from 8-9 am
 Morning: Field tip to Cape Look Out National Park. Learn the history of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the life of a lighthouse keeper. Then enjoy some time to explore. Cape Lookout is an excellent place to find shells and take pictures.
 Lunch: Lunch from 12-1pm
 Afternoon: Field trip to the Core Sound Waterfowl museum located within within Cape Lookout National Seashore on Harkers Island. Including a walk around the 4-acre freshwater waterfowl habitat with viewing platforms and duck blinds. You will also see first hand as a local a artisan creates and explains the making of decoy ducks.
 Dinner: Dinner from 6-7pm
 Evening: Lecture on history, culture and linguistics of Carteret County.
   
Accommodations: Trinity Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Field Trip to Fort Macon State Park.
(Thursday, April 11)

Note: Fort Macon State Park has uneven walking paths.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast from 8-9am
 Morning: Field trip to Fort Macon State Park. The second most visited State Park in all of North Carolina features a restored civil war era fort, museum displays, and beautiful water views.
 Lunch: Lunch from 12-1pm
 Afternoon: A free afternoon to see some of the many interesting sites in the area.
 Dinner: Dinner from 6-7pm
 Evening: Concert by talented local musicians.
   
Accommodations: Trinity Conference Center
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Lecture by local historian and storyteller. Departure
(Friday, April 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast from 8-9am
 Morning: Program on local culture, history and linguistics.
 Lunch: Lunch which begins at 11:30 am
 Afternoon: Depart following lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Salter Path, NC General Overview
There are so many cultural and natural areas of interest in coastal North Carolina. Please read about the many options at Trinity Center's website. For additional information, visit www.trinityctr.com/other.html
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


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