sunset Beach, NC 4/15

Headed south along river rd, through the industrial area (shipping, trains, oil tanks) then through a residential area under development on beautiful road with good bike lane. Wilmington and NC in general seem underpopulated, but preparing - quiet streets, lots of new (cheap!) housing developments in various states of construction and lots of undeveloped land.  Rode down to the end of the cape, along the beaches to fort fisher where we learned a little alternative history.  It seems this is where the 'Federals' tried to stop confederate shipments up the cape fear river to Wilmington.  The confederate army at fort fisher fought hard to keep their last unblocked port open, winning the 1st battle, but the federals came back and won the biggest land sea battle of the Civil War.  Once the last port of entry fell, the fate of the south in the war of northern aggression was sealed. Pulled up right for 10 45 ferry to Southport and good lunch in courtyard of Moore St Market. John finally got his salad.  Then a long (flat, straight) slog on busy route 211 before turning off on backroads to sunset Beach, NC and a $75 hotel room a block from the beach. Got long with a headwind, and first flat. but made it in time for John's 5pm call.  Did more vertical going back/forth to dinner (Boat Landing - great fish,  dragon shrimp) over intracoastal bridge than the whole day.. Only saw 1 confederate flag.  70 miles.