From Belhaven I headed north. On Google maps I had found a route up to Lake Phelps that would take me on unnumbered roads on the edge of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. I had not driven long on the first unnumbered road when the tarmac ended and there was a sign that said State Maintenance Ends. I found myself on this forest road, and it was just lovely. I turned off the air condition and rolled down the windows to take in the sounds. It was anything but quiet here, but a constant buzz of insects, toads, birds and whatnots.