The Lucky One- Setting

  So far in the five chapters i have read, the setting of this story has been around 2005 or 2006, in North Carolina.  Anyone who has read a Nicholas Sparks book can relate that there is a 99% chance that the characters will live in North Carolina.  Thibault, who is tells one of the perspectives, was stationed over seas for the marines forces for many years. He goes back to North Carolina- or walks there I should say.  I think that it is a little insane that he would walk from Colorado to North Carolina to find someone he has never known.  Anyways, I think Sparks does a great job at describing the small town of Hampton that the story takes place in, as I read I can actually picture what the town would look like- which is probably different than others would picture it.  I guess I should see the movie in order to know for sure, but first I have to finish the story.  Sparks does an amazing job, as always, in explaining the setting that this story takes place!  I cant wait to continue on in this story!