State

Until it nears the sound, the Pam¬ lico River cuts a bed from 4 to 10 feet through the Coastal plain, and the south bank is as approachable as the north, though by no means as popu¬ lous. Farm fields often go right to the river's edge. N.C. 33 loops over the head of Chocowinity Bay, crossing the creek by that name, and goes on to Hobucken in Pamlico County. At in¬ tervals roads paved and unpaved lead northward to landings and points. At these places creeks or coves often offer opportunity to launch or rent boats. Accommodations, however, arc very meagre. There arc no large towns south of Washington on the water un¬ til we reach New Bern. Such a landing is where the high¬ way crosses Blount's Creek Bridge, just south of entry into Blount's Bay — a clearing in a forest of substantial trees. Core Point Also Core Point, reached by turn¬ ing left at Cox's Crossroads. A store Ocracokc is in a grove edging beautiful Silver I.ake. The old light dominates the scene. Pamlico's South Shore is on the 9-foot bluff above the river (a mile and V* wide), and there is a single cottage for rent. Sport fisher¬ men seek out the place, but it is pre¬ dominately a commercial fishing center. The fishermen — farmers in seasonal disguise — bring their catches of perch, trout, flounder to Core Point where buyers pick them up for truck¬ ing to Washington. Far inland at Bon- nertown. head of Durham Creek, boats tie up. Old Garrison Point, at the mouth of Durham Creek, is believed to be so named because it was the site of Ft. Reading, built during the Tusca- rora wars of 1711. Aurora In a bend of largish South River sits Aurora, a fishing center in a potato section, with a good lodge, population 525. The Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, has constructed a channel 7 feet deep in South River downstream from Aurora. The name stands for "light in the cast." Owned by free Negroes before the Civil War, it was incorporated by Rev. William H. Cun¬ ningham, a school teacher, the village embracing land granted Christopher Gale in 1716. North are a couple of places on the Pamlico. River Haven has cottages year around, catering to families, fish¬ ermen, hunters. A "boat with every cottage," reads the sign. Good deer hunting; some bear. Hickory Point Hickory Point is at the confluence of South Creek and Pamlico River. A high bluff, it is the only "point" 1 have ever seen that looks like a point — the landhcad tapering, sharp as a needle, downstream. It points at some¬ thing, too — historic Indian Island, ly¬ ing about a mile and a half southeast, a large, wooded tract, where Indians once went for seafood feasts, and maybe yaupon orgies. The island is not inhabited now. and people in the area told me it was for sale. Hickory Point is a summer resort for people of Aurora and around about, with two dozen cottages, none for rent. The river is 5-,„ miles wide, and Restful... Discover what real relaxation is here on the shady, breeze-swept banks of The Ncusc in an atmos¬ phere delightfully informal and completely away from daily care. I-ishing, bathing, boating ... or satisfying idle contentment, with good food and comfortable ac¬ commodations — take your choice. • For information about riverside cottages, rooms, apartments rente to N. W. HARDISON or CHARLES COOPER Minnesott Beach ARAPAHOE. N. C. The Prettiest Spot on The Xeuse 25 THE STATE. JULY 3. 1954