Virginia Beach…Fort Story and the rest of the Story



Cape Henry Light House
 

The storm had passed last night with very strong wind rocking the camper. I reached over and got the remote and let the camper jacks anchor us to the ground. It helped immensely. All of this took place around 3am. It was funny that it didn’t rain at all.
The road was calling us to see what’s beyond the sand dunes. I wanted to head north and west towards Gettysburg and stop at what ever aroused our curiosity. The first thing on the map was Fort Story. It had the oldest building commissioned by the government of the United States. It happened to be a lighthouse. The history here doesn’t go back to the Civil War, but the War of Independence. A big Naval battle took place here involving the French Armada and the British Fleet.

 

The French won the naval battle isolating British troops in Yorktown. General Washington was able to move his army and defeated British General Cornwallis, which eventually lead to our Independence from Britain. Fort Story is an active military base with full security in place. We were able to access many historic spots that are not generally opened to the public. One of the placards read that we should visit Yorktown and Williamsburg up the road.

St Bede in Williamsburg, VA

 

Tonight we are on the outskirts of Williamsburg at another military RV campground. We are at Cheatham Annex/Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Williamsburg, VA. After a visit to the Visitor Center we were overwhelmed with the amount of things and places to visit around here. There are 52 historic places close by. We, I think, have narrowed down to six that we will try and visit in the next day or so. Boy, it’s a good thing it is still snowing back home. We are not rushing back!
Tonight after selecting our camp site we made it over to St Bede Church for mass. What a church! It is modeled after a Greek Orthodox Church that we visited in Saco, ME. It has a large Atrium that leads you into the larger circular main part of the church.
Later this evening, we settled into our campsite. I setup the BBQ and we celebrated with a nice T-bone steak. Life is rough on the trail!

 
That is what we did and saw!

Virginia Beach… Sea Mist RV Park

Life is rough on a rainy day!
Sea Mist RV Campground... Dam Neck Annex

This morning the predicted storm held off just long enough for me to disconnect the sewer, water and electrical. It rained all the way to Virginia Beach, VA. We took back roads to get here and I had to do some fancy dead reckoning. I knew about where I was going, but not exactly to the RV campground. Oceania Naval Air Station is a big place with many major roads around it. Finally we made it, only to find the campground gate locked. A camper was coming out and gave us the code to enter. The registration office was unoccupied, but instructions were by the door for registration after hours. We selected a site, not too impressed so far. It was still raining. I was to fill the paperwork out and drop-it into a drop box. We had lunch and decided to leave and go to the State Park campground. A camp worker showed up and we asked if he knew about other campgrounds to stay at. He mentioned that he stays at Sea Mist at Dam Neck Fleet Training Center Atlantic. We left to check it out. Bingo! “nice as apple pie”. This RV park is practically new. It has a clubhouse with Direct TV, laundry, restrooms, wide concrete pads, full hookups. The registration attendant took time to give us a golf cart tour of the  park and part of the Navy base. Two items that stood out here…One is that they launch drones right off the beach. The other notable thing is that the north end part of the base is off limits. USN Amphibious Base is there along with no other than Navy Seal Team Six!
The rain subsided early afternoon, it was sunny for an hour and a half. The clouds returned and the forecast was for showers tonight before clearing. After an “in camper” dinner, we went next door to watch the nightly news. We were in there alone for a while until the Camp Host came in to register a late arrival. She mentioned that they had gone up to Alaska. Well that was enough to spark a wonderful long conversation about our past Alaskan adventures. It never fails when we are at a military campground to meet some wonderful people with wonderful stories. They all seem to have that sense of adventure, the sense to see what’s on the other side of the hill! It’s a great country with plenty of places to visit and learn about.
That is what we did and saw!

Elisabeth City,NC…The Largest Coast Guard Base in the US!



Onslow Beach!... Marines in Action!

Leaving Camp Lejeune fairly early, we encountered a column of marching Marines on the side road to Onslow Beach. I could tell they had been marching from the main part of the base some ten miles away. It was already in the mid-seventies. They were sweaty, but in good spirits! I had pulled over to let them march by. I talked to them making encouraging comments!
Approaching the Main gate, we were warned that the traffic inbound would be heavy. Well let me tell you, the cars were backed up for fifteen miles! I was sure glad were we going the other way. Jacksonville and the Marines are putting a four lane highway and a major bridge to alleviate the traffic problem.


Redneck Marine With His Tank
On His Snow Machine Trailer

20 Mile March!

The road north on NC 17 is a good road for us to be on. It wasn’t an interstate, but we could move right along. The road took us into farm country, small towns and such. I like seeing how people live in the countryside. Today’s target was Elizabeth City, NC. A fellow camper at Camp Lejeune told us about a campground at the US Coast Guard Base. It only has about 20 sites. We gambled and drove in. Got a full hookup site. Real nice sites with concrete pads, lilac trees, waterfronts, sandy beach and of course a runway just yards from the campground. So far, only four aircraft have come and gone. We had originally planned on making it to Virginia Beach, but the distance and the weather would change our plans. The weather for tomorrow is for thunderstorms and we really didn’t want to ruin our first impressions of Virginia Beach. Now, I’m told by another camper that I might not be able to get on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel because of wind restrictions. Plan “B” will go into effect. We will go to Virginia Beach, s

tay a while and than head west on I-64 to I-81 North. What this will do for us is put us in the Gettysburg area. I will continue my hands on education of the battles of the Civil War.

Back in Elizabeth City, we spent the afternoon downtown in a large museum. It was very hot today (96*) and the AC in the museum did the trick. Interesting thing about the museum is the history of the locals. They were split in there loyalty between the Union and the Confederacy. Many joined and became guerillas in their areas to harass the other side. The war here was not pretty!

After the museum, later in the afternoon, we explored the downtown waterfront district. We sat in the park and watched sailboats come in and docking. To us non-sailors, it was interesting to see the husband navigate the boat and the wife manhandle the ropes. Whoops, that should say woman-handling the ropes!

The grill came out tonight for our evening meal. The wind picked up after dinner and for the first time, I extended the camper jacks to ground for added stability. In the event of really severe weather, I am told that the security forces would notify us to move to the gym. After all, who would know more about the weather than the US Coast Guard. They probably will have to respond to a rescue situation at sea!

That is what we did and saw! 

 

Onslow Beach…MCB Camp Lejeune…The Marines have Landed!

Marines in Training!

Camp Lejeune is a massive land area of a base. The Onslow Beach Recreation Area is 10 miles in on the base. The paved highway crosses many tank trails. It wasn’t long before we started meeting mechanized Marine units in their armored vehicles. It always leaves an impression on me to see our military in action! Soon, we arrived at the Intercostal Water Way (IWW), to a draw bridge. The bridge traffic was stopped for a sail boat going by. On the other side, we saw the RV Campground to our left. We checked in and got a spot about 150 feet from the IWW. The distance to the ocean from the IWW is about 750 feet.

Me Doing what I Love to Do!

We immediately parked and started for the ocean view above the high sand dunes. WOW, off in a short distance is some sort of air craft carrier. V-22 Osprey aircraft were taking off vertically, others were circling around the carrier. While all of this was going on, sun bathers were taking it the sun on the beach. As far as adventures go, this very exciting for me. To have the privilege just to view this is very gratifying.

That is what sunrise looks like!

The RV campground has full hookups, cable TV at every site, good WIFI, clean restrooms, laundry room, Mini Mart. We were going to leave this Marine Base this morning and head north, but after doing groceries, getting a haircut, the day was too far along to leave. We headed back to Onslow Beach for another night stay. This evening I was able to take pictures of the amphibious armored troop carriers that were live firing just down the road. It was another great day. Oh, by the way Helen got a Marine haircut too! Now she’s ready for inspection!

This is what sunset looks like!

That is what we did and saw! 

Fort Fisher…The Rest of the Story



View of the Union Blockade 

Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area is a postage size area. It does meet all of your overnight camping needs. Here is the secret! It is located mere minutes from the real Fort Fisher (Civil War Era).
What is Fort Fisher in relations to the Civil War? Let me tell you a little history. The Union or Federal forces knew that the only way the  South would capitulate would be if their supplies were cut off. Other than food, most of the supplies came from around the world by ship. The Union affectedly did a blockade of  sea ports from Virginia to Texas. Towards the end of the Civil War, General Lee said, “if we lost Fort Fisher we would loose Jacksonville and the war”. Fort Fisher was the last port opened to the Confederate Army. One of the reason that it held for so long was that it was a state of the art in fort construction. Most other forts were made of brick and mortar. 

View of Cannon Battery from
 Confederate side

This type of construction was easily demolished by cannon fire. Fort Fisher was constructed with heavy wood bunkers and 25 feet or more of sand on top. The shells could not penetrate the bunkers. Fort Fisher was assaulted twice. The first time the Union troops landed, but were unable to sustain a long campaign. Two week later they were prepared. The Union forces took the fort. One month later Jacksonville fell. The war was over in 90 days after Fort Fisher was defeated. A foot note here is that the Union commander was from New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Volunteers were some of the

View from the Union side

land troops in the campaign). So, in our Civil War explorations we have seen where the Civil War started and very close to where it ended.
Later in the day we moved our camp to the famous “Camp Lejeune” United States Marine Corp Base.
That is what we saw and did!

Wilmington, NC…Ft Fisher Air Force Recreation Area… The Chanced Encounter!

Brookgreen Gardens..
National Historic Landmark

This morning were we to head North, but Helen made the comment that we should checkout Brookgreen Gardens. Cousin, Chris Marcotte (Columbia, SC) had said this would be a must see attraction. Brookgreen was located some 15 miles south of Myrtle Beach State Park. We had passed the entrance yesterday, but getting a site for the night was then a priority. OK, we are not in a rush to get home with snow still in the back yard! Brookgreen Gardens is big! Like 9000 acres! The admission is good for seven consecutive days. Brookgreen is divided into sectors; The world-renowned sculpture complex, The Low Country Center, The Domestic Animals of the Plantation, Butterfly House just to mention a few. We touched on the major attractions, and I, who is not a sculpture expert was totally impressed with the presentations, the flowers, the water fountains, the lawns, the natural wildlife.
Back at the visitor Welcome Center, 

Sam and Helen...A Chance Encounter!

we were walking and I said to myself at first, “Boy does that person remind me of Sam Cordwell” Helen, I said “is that Sam Cordwell? “No” she said. I called out “Sam” and she turned around! Yes, it was Sam! She came over and gave us a hug! Her husband Dave, who had gone to get their car drove up. We had a good chat. We talked about seeing their grandson Zachary at the Citadel Parade Review. Talk about going down the river in a canoe without a paddle. Here is an example of destiny. Sam and Dave come to Brookgreen very often for their walking exercise!

Two Art Experts at Work!

We finished the gardens and left midafternoon going north to settle close to Wilmington, NC. Fort Fisher is an Air Force Recreation site.
That is what we saw and did!

Charleston and Myrtle Beach…A restful Sunday



Yatching in Georgetown!

The State Fishing Pier... Myrtle Beach!

Everyday can’t be an adventure, at least that’s what I was thinking this morning. The plan today was to head up towards Myrtle Beach. No military campgrounds here. The Air Force Base closed in the earlier round of base closures. So, here we go leaving JB Charleston around 9:30 this morning. It was just about 120 miles up the road. We would take our time, after all it was Sunday, (a day of rest). Halfway to Myrtle Beach, we pulled into Georgetown around lunch time. We were a little surprised to see how touristy this town was. It had a dockside boardwalk the length of Main Street. The main street (named Front Street) also had many restored buildings, art galleries, restaurants and sports bars. We had lunch, took a power nap and off again to the Myrtle Beach area. I was not excited about being able to find a reasonable rate RV Campground. Our first stop was to a State Park campground (Huntington Beach State Park.) It turned out to be full. They said to try the State Park in Myrtle Beach. I tried to call ahead, the line was busy. Finally, we arrived and were really surprised to see that they had a lot of sites available. A bigger surprise was the location (on the Ocean, with wooded sites). 

Myrtle Beach skyline from State Pier

We were able to select our own site, registered, paid, parked the truck at the site and went for a nice long walk on the beach. The sun was warm, the breeze was cool, perfect for a beach walk. The State has a long fishing pier, we took pictures of the guys fishing, soaked in more sun before heading back to our site # 81. That is one of 350 sites!
Before digging out the BBQ grill, I had noticed that our neighbor had Quebec license plates. I said to Helen, “let’s go over and ask them where in Quebec they lived”. He said Quebec city in a French accent. I started talking French to him, he responded and before I knew it we had talked for an hour. He is a retired Canadian Navy Captain, like captain of a war ship. We had a lot to talk about including accessing US military RV campgrounds.
For a quiet Sunday, it was quite a full day! I am happy with today’s unexpected adventures, both people and places.
That is what we did and saw!