National Geographic | THE COMPASS

National Geographic

THE COMPASS

This week, we go east to find a lost colony, learn about a road to nowhere, and see Cape Cod through the eyes of a photographer.

An excavations site in a Native American town on Hatteras Island at night

PHOTOGRAPHED WITH PERMISSION OF THE CROATOAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, BY MARK THIESSEN

THE SEARCH FOR A LOST COLONY

“CROATOAN” was all that was left of an abandoned settlement originally intended to be one of England’s first American colonies in North Carolina. For hundreds of years, what happened to the settlers of Roanoke Island has been a subject of mystery and speculation. We take a look at the clues. (Pictured above, an excavation on Hatteras Island with a mix of European and Native American artifacts.)

Related: A newfound survivor camp may explain the fate of the Lost Colony of Roanoke

A local family romps in the surf at Nauset Spit in Orleans, Massachusetts.

PHOTOGRAPH BY AMY TOENSING

AN EAST COAST SUMMER

We see Cape Cod—a quintessential East Coast destination—through the lens of photographer and Nat Geo Explorer Amy Toensing as she takes us across nostalgic summer memories and highlights can’t miss destinations along the coast.

EXPLORING CAPE COD

Related: From Nantucket to disaster: The real-life voyage that inspired ‘Moby Dick’

Black and white image of the end of the tunnel looking out.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID HAAS

A ROAD TO NOWHERE

This winding 6.5-mile pass (pictured above) leads to a dead end at a 1200-foot tunnel only accessible by foot. For decades, stories about how this tunnel came to be have created an aura of mystery around the area, but its real history is even more haunting.

WHERE DOES IT END?

GOOD READS

Across America: These water trails will take you through U.S. national parks in a unique way

This dinosaur dug its own grave

Where did Virginia’s world-famous ponies come from?

Who were the first Europeans?

Will your next wellness trip lead you to a cave?

A dark forest with trees and thousands of small, short, yellow streaks representing the fireflies. There is a cabin in the background.

PHOTOGRAPH BY HAOXIANG YANG, GETTY IMAGES

AN ACCIDENTAL HAVEN

The humid East Coast of the U.S. tends to be a special haven for the type of firefly that we look for every summer. Even then, synchronous fireflies (pictured above) are only found in certain pockets of the Appalachian Mountains. See how this state park is preserving the synchronous fireflies with its unusually dark environment.

FLASHING FIREFLIES

Related: How do fireflies get their glow?

Today’s Soundtrack: Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, Vampire Weekend

WHAT WILL WE EXPLORE NEXT?

Be sure to check your inbox next week to find out.

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