{"id":6193,"date":"2015-09-01T13:50:00","date_gmt":"2015-09-01T17:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/?page_id=6193"},"modified":"2024-08-30T16:24:10","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T20:24:10","slug":"people-and-places-cut-the-corner-drawing-visitors-to-northeastern-north-carolina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/people-and-places-cut-the-corner-drawing-visitors-to-northeastern-north-carolina\/","title":{"rendered":"PEOPLE AND PLACES: CUT THE CORNER: Drawing Visitors to Northeastern North Carolina"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
Many who journey to the Outer Banks take Interstate 95 to Rocky Mount, then U.S. 64 straight to the coast, with visions of sandy beaches and lighthouses on their minds. Those coming from the north drive 86 miles of highway, bypassing a shorter 59-mile path lined with historic towns, trails and parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA lot of folks have the ability and the luxury of being able to slow down and enjoy life on the way, and make the trip part of the event, the adventure,\u201d says Brian Roth, mayor of Plymouth<\/a> and a member of the North Carolina Sea Grant<\/a> advisory board. \u201cCut the Corner really plays to that very well because you\u2019ve got several smaller communities that have a lot to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tom Harrison, director of the Washington County Travel and Tourism Authority, has lived in the area for more than 40 years and is familiar with the many points of interest in the region. Cut the Corner is his brainchild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A driving route along the Roanoke River, its purpose is to entice travelers to explore the road less traveled while also shaving 27 miles off the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But according to Harrison, it\u2019s about more than just saving miles. \u201cAntiques, historic churches, Revolutionary and Civil War history. Maritime history, the paddle trail, fishing,\u201d he notes. \u201cEach could be one thread in the multi-strand cord of a Roanoke River Road.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the first commemorative journey of the CSS Albemarle<\/em> replica down the Roanoke River, from Edward\u2019s Ferry near Scotland Neck to Plymouth in 2010 \u2014 and some conversations with Brent Lubbock of Sylvan Heights Bird Park \u2014 the idea of \u201cstarting the vacation early\u201d sprouted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Later that year, Harrison created and distributed rack cards from Roanoke Rapids to Plymouth. The brochures highlighted attractions in several of the Roanoke River towns sitting along this alternate route to the coast, such as antique shopping at the Riverside Mill in Weldon or visiting the Fort Branch Civil War Site near Hamilton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDollar for dollar, the money spent will have a greater impact in this region,\u201d notes Jack Thigpen<\/a>, Sea Grant extension director. \u201cIt will help the local economies while also providing travelers an opportunity to meet some people and visit places unique to northeastern North Carolina.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visit CutTheCorner.info for more information about these gems hidden in plain sight. Here are a few of the stops along this shorter path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along I-95, the town of Weldon has more to offer than national retail chains and restaurants near the highway. Known as the \u201cRockfish Capital of the World,\u201d the town of about 1,600 is famous for outdoor adventures and history.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWELDON WANDERINGS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n