6/29/2018 Stop #11, #12 Elks Lodge and Carolina Beach State Park, North Carolina

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 

Tim and Linda Bunyan

We crossed the Pamlico Sound, from the Outer Banks to the mainland to arrive Moorhead City, North Carolina.  The Ocracoke ferry ride was a lovely, nearly a 2-hour ferry ride. 

We made way, first, for the excavator to board the ferry !

Departing Outer Banks, Ocracoke, to the Mainland of North Carolina.

We say goodbye to the village of Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks!

Leaving the Anchorage Marina on Ocracoke Island near the entrance of beautiful Silver Lake Harbor.

The ride on the Ferry:  NCFERRT.ORG $45.00 (Note on ticket: Not responsible for damage to vehicle using ferry:  All Ticket sales are One Way!  6/29/2018  8:35a.m.
The friendly viewer, Tim made a Pal.........it's nearly a two-hour ferry ride!

OK, Cloud gazing on the two-hour ferry ride!

CasaRoll, Woodstock the kitty, Tim and Linda on Pamlico Sound on the Ferry.  The same Sound where Blackbeard hung out!  The U.S. Navy hangs out here, and early settlers crossed these waters! 




We have communed with the folks at the Elks Lodge for a brief overnight in Moorhead City as we make our way through the North Carolina seashore.

One of many noticed Baptist churches in the coastal plain region.  All religions are reflected here in the rural waterfront area of Down East. 

Wild Flowers growing along the highway reflects a slower pace of life and picturesque scenery.

The  magnificent Intercoastal Waterway is often seen along the highway.

We arrive our place for the next 5 days.

 "Looking Out Our Back Door"

After New York City, Princeton, N.J., and the Outer Banks, we are in Wilmington, North Carolina enduring some hot and steamy weather.  We have a hunch that is going to be the norm as we travel south this season.  We look to the Humidity reading; rather than the temperature.   
Our digs here at the Carolina Beach State Park call for the use of our generators for the air conditioning.  We are so thankful that all systems are running properly and Tim is keeping all things fueled and cared for.

Lots of beach-scene here in the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.  Selling Margaritaville folding chairs in the grocery store!

  Many (hundreds and hundreds) 3-story, tall vacation boxes.  The houses are outposts for the exuberant, bathing-suit clad vacationers of all ages.

Here at Carolina Beach State Park, Tim and I walked on the Flytrap Trail.  Since the soil is often water-logged, plants growing here must adapt to the scarcity of nitrogen in the soil.


VENUS FLYTRAP PLANT The insectivorous plants growing along this trail (Venus flytraps) and (Bladderwort) obtain nitrogen with one of the most unique adaptations found in nature---they catch and digest insects!  
We also see white-tail deer and Turkey Oak, and longleaf pine.

This State Park is wonderfully located at the point where Cape Fear River and the Intercoastal Waterway intersect.  From our campsite, we walked to the marina which is filled with fishing boats, and day cruisers.  Jet Skiers blast around in the waters alongside the canoes and kayaks.

The marina at the State Park!

Typical fishing boat here in these waters.

A drive into the city of Wilmington reminds us of features as Sacramento.
Wilmington has developed the waterfront it is continuing to improve upon it. 

Cotton Exchange thrives as a MarketPlace.

Crepe Myrtles trees are everywhere and Wilmington, North Carolina city living along Cape Fear River .

 Downtown in the Wilmington, North Carolina Historic District.

 The Post Office.

Courthouse.

 WWII North Carolina Battleship tours along Cape Fear River.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard on duty here at the Riverfront.

The city has a dock at the Cape Fear riverfront, the old town is in redevelopment with buildings, lofts, and shops going in Riverside.  The battleship Carolina from WWII is memorialized offering daily tours.  The Coast Guard has a long history here and remains working with the Dept. of Homeland Security

We did 'some city' by attending the North Carolina State Symphony: Stars and Stripes program at the Wilson Center downtown Wilmington.  

The Wilson Center downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.

The symphony began the program with The Star Spangled Banner.  What a delight to hear John Philip Sousa military and patriot marching songs (of course the U.S. song The Stars and Stripes Forever,) and a John Williams tune: March from 1941.  Singer baritone Scott MacLeod sang Stephen Foster written songs: "Oh! Susanah" and "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair".   It was a moving moment during the playing of Servicemen on Parade, the songs affiliated with each of the armed forces.  The Conductor asked people to stand according to their service.  We actually teared up during the honor of seeing the men and women who have given their service to our Country.

It is time to move on ......keep going South along the seashore. Next stop is Charleston, South Carolina!

GOOD BYE to North Carolina