Day 13- 4-15-16 Moved to Bogue Bay N.C. (Goose Creek RV)

Day 13, Fri.  4-15-16 Moved to Bogue Bay N.C. (Goose Creek RV)

It was a leisurely 120 miles on US 17 to NC 24 and the Goose Creek RV Park. This park is essentially right on the Ocean, near Newport, NC,  and we selected it as a result of not being able to reserve one further inland. I think it was a good change. It has many permanent trailers and RV’s as well as many small, permanent homes. A very good vacation spot and good year round as the climate here is moderate, with the average April temps being from 69 F to 55 F.  It tends to be windy but the sun does shine more than most places.

The Main Gate flags at Camp LeJeune, NC.
"Semper Fi".

Our drive the 120 miles in included passing many military bases, and as North Carolina has 8 major bases, three of them are on US 17 and NC 24.  The bases  are:

Military OceanTerminal (see last post about nuclear waste)

MCAS New River  (Marine Corps Air Station) 

Camp LeJuene (Marine)

MCAS Cherry Point

Seymour Johnson AFB (Air Force Base) 

Fort Bragg (Army) 

Camp MacKall (Actually an Air Base and training for the XVIII Airborne, 82nd Airborne and   Special Ops, and is need after a Pvt.  Tommy MacKall, who was in a PIR and died in the    invasion of Europe in WW2 (This is worth researching as the base is huge.)

National Strike Force Base USCG

Pope AFB

That’s quite a list  and quite a contribution to the state as well as the nation.

The restaurant and Fudge.souvenir store.
Seafood here we come ...(again)

The west side of Wilmington, which we skirted, is all industrial and both the RR and the Freeway (limited)  lie along that route.

We arrived at about 2:15 and that gave us time after setting up, to look for some souvenirs for the family. The wind was between 20 and 30 mph so birding at this time didn’t seem to be an option. We didn’t find much in the way of souvenirs that we wanted across the bridge at Emerald Isle, but did find a fine restaurant (Seafood of course)  called “Skippers” that we will try another day. (see photo above.)

Our campground site at site number "00"
Goose Creek RV Park (NC)

That extra time, allowed us to set up the technical aspects of the trailer  As the computer and the TV. There was free cable . (Most Parks allow free cable, but internet can be a fee approach (This one was a fee).

Tomorrow we will stay inland and away from the wind as much as possible, Heading north to Croatan National Forest . Should see some birds on the way , while there and returning along the seacoast.

A few bonus flowers from our friends place on Oak Isand.

These Azaleas are one of dozens (all different)
at the home on Oak Island

We struggle in Michigan to have Azaleas grow indoor for a few weeks. Here they grow outdoors and some from seed. They were magnificent.