Wilmington, North Carolina June 25-29

May, and much of June, marked the loss of a number of friends and relatives, and kept us close to home.  

We really needed a road trip to reset our emotions and change our scenery, even if for only a couple of days. Wilmington is a town we have often wanted to visit, so we packed up the camper and took off for a few days of exploration and relaxation.

Wilmington is a town of beaches, a historic district, museums, waterfront with a charming River Walk, quaint shops with local artisans, music, friendly people and some great restaurants.  It reminds me of Annapolis although slightly more modern (Civil War vs. Revolutionary War).

A stroll along the River Walk provides a magnificent view of the USS North Carolina, some interesting craft shops, and carriage rides through town.

Carriage rides along the River Walk or through Historic Downtown

The USS North Carolina is open to the public for tours

The Cotton Exchange is packed with small local artisan shops and great bars and restaurants

We ended our first day of touring downtown by enjoying a relaxing evening of tropical drinks a cigar (for Me not E), chilling out in the "zero gravity loungers", and great steak dinner.

Tuesday we explored Wrightsville Beach before visiting at a couple of "Gated Golf Communities" we have been considering should we decided to relocate here.  

After lunch we took a guided tour of Bellamy Mansion before heading to Airlie Gardens for a leisurely stroll through some magnificent gardens and a viewing of a butterfly release. (really... a butterfly release!)

The Bellamy Mansion is worth touring as a glimpse into pre Civil War living

Airlie Gardens is 67 acres of magnificent gardens, landscapes, and wildlife

Wildlife abounds... including some Terrapins (OK Turtles)

The Butterfly House (real butterflies not these sculptures)

Like these!

We are usually "Park People", but occasionally it becomes necessary to stay at a facility that is centrally located to the sites you want to visit, which was the case in Wilmington.  That said, I give the KOA there 5 thumbs up!  Pleasant staff, clean rest rooms, beaiutiful large pool, WiFi, cable tv, and power for the air conditioner and microwave without having to run the generator.  it was quiet, huge, and they gave us a site without neighbors.... right next to a lovely pond.

We LOVED Wilmington experience and would recommend it for anyone wanting a spend a relaxing few "stressless" days.

We hope that everyone is having a relaxing summer and enjoying the outdoors and amazing opportunities America has to offer and look forward to sharing our future adventures.

Until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS!

ASSATEAGUE STATE PARK, BERLIN, MARYLAND      June 12-14


Well, here I am again!  Every year about this time my "better half" takes off for a Golf Trip to Penn National Resort with her golf League.  I seize the opportunity to spend a few days at my favorite camping ground... Assateague Island.If my photos look like the rest of them from our adventures at Assategue, its because I always like to get the same spot next to the dunes where there is nothing between me and the Atlantic Ocean but sand.

Perfect campsite - Perfect Weather... again!

There is something extremely therapeutic about being at the beach with a cold beer, cigar, zero gravity chair, and only a few other people... and of course the local residents!

Some of the wild Assateague Ponies.

The locals like to drop by every once in a while to check up on me!  They left when I told them I was out of beer!

I often hear from my non-camping friends, "Camping is staying at a Holiday Inn without room service".  

Hey, I get it, I also enjoy a nice resort on occasion.  But honestly, it's hard to find a hotel with these views, where you can sit next to a campfire at night and enjoy a cigar with a full service bar within arms length, fall asleep listening to the ocean crashing right next to you, pay less than it does to park, and wake up to fresh brewed coffee, magnificent sunrises and above all solitude.

The fish are in the room next door

So another pleasant trip to the beach is in the books.  The only thing that would have made it better was having my best friend Elliott along, but she also enjoyed her golf trip!

Wow, it was tough to find a good spot at the beach!

So until next time....  HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU!

PS - Thanks for staying at that Holiday Inn Express.  It left a little more beach for me and my equine friends!  

:-)