We arrived after hours to a locked gate. With no reservations we were hoping to slide in and get a site. Someone had pulled up and was trying to unlock the gate so we waited, but after a few minutes with no luck they took off. I decided to give it a go however my multiple guesses at the combination didn’t work. I headed back to the coach and resumed my seat in the captains chair contemplating our next move when a fellow camper pulled up and yelled to us to follow him into the park. Past the holiday lights we followed him into the darkness to find a campsite.

More holiday decorations assured us the vibe was all good.

We found a spot and settled in for bed as it was late and we had school work to get done in the morning.

I was excited to be here as Myrtle Beach offered the first prospect of surf since we left California. I had been land locked and out of the water for the longest time. I was at the beach early to check out the prospects.

 Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.

Back at the site I made some coffee, hung out with the boys and dreamed about the next time I would surf.

Once we roused everyone we headed out through the park to explore.

The nature center was full of information. The animals here include Raccoons, squirrels, birds,  and snakes. Snakes, ewe, mostly Copperhead snakes and yes they are poisonous. The ranger assured us that they most likely wouldn’t be out yet due to the cool temperatures.When they do come out they have plenty of camouflage.

We stayed a few days as they were getting ready for Santa with a big weekend planned. We arrived early to see Santa on the beach but we were not the only ones with the great idea. The line to see Santa was long and all three kids opted out, so we checked out everything else.

Where is Santa?

Has anyone seen Santa?

The picture taking ensued.

We scored with some nice weather however we were looking forward to getting to the warm temperatures of the Florida Keys.

They had camel rides, a bake sale, numerous projects and crafts. It reminded me of a little beach we go to over the holidays back home, minus the camel rides.

After a long morning we headed into town to run some errands and sight see. Every so often you run across massive stores here that dot the landscape. They are monoliths to overseas manufacturing with names like Whales, Surf City and Beaches which visually pollute the landscape.  There are so many it is hard to believe there is enough business to support them all.

 

We relish in the more obscure sights and attractions. Hurl Rocks Park was one of the kids favorites. A park that actually encourages you to be a kid.

We didn’t stop here but it’s nice to see the celebration of all species.

That evening back at the campground we ventured deeper into the park.

Fellow campers with a very tidy campsite.

Myrtle Beach State Park got us in the Holiday Spirit as many campsites were decorated for the holidays. As much as we wanted to stay we had a campsite reserved in the Florida Keys and had a few more days to get there. Next Stop Saint Augustine, Florida.

Saint Augustine, Florida.                              Anastasia State Park. 

Over the draw bridge and past the Alligator farm is Anastasia State Park. A real gem in the Florida State Park system.

Saint Augustine is notable for vast, deserted beaches, the Fountain of Youth, a quaint pedestrian village and a waterfront Spanish Fort. I am sure there is much more but we only had a couple days to explore.

Our visit to the 1872 Spanish fort, Castillo de San Marcos coincided with our daughters studies so it was even more cool to walk around a place she had been reading about.

After bumming around the fort we walked across the street into the pedestrian village and had some dinner.

We passed this one up based upon the name alone.

We ended up eating at Pizza Time, the number two ranked pizza joint in the country according to TripAdvisor.

We took some time out to hang out with the owner. Can you say Italiano? All fueled up we explored the village for a while and headed back to camp to get an early start on a long drive day ahead. Saint Augustine will be the future destination for a long weekend as you can leave your car parked your entire stay.

It was December sixth and our reservation in the keys started on the eighth. With over four hundred miles to go we headed to a local farm in West Palm Beach the following day to break up the drive. We arrived thirty minutes before closing and were greeted by the manager who encouraged us to take our time. So we stocked up on fresh veggies and the first of many Key Lime pies to come.

Next stop, Sunshine Key.

Yes you read that right. After a uneventful drive from North Carolina’s Outer Banks we arrived at the Fairgrounds centrally located in Raleigh.

With over seven thousand miles traveled since September,  this proved to be the nicest reception we had received. We were directed to pull just inside the fairgrounds property from the main street and wait for our campground escort. The grounds were busy with a massive swap meet, a gun show, a horse event and the rival college football game between University North Carolina and North Carolina State. The football stadium is adjacent to the fairgrounds and contributes to the traffic.

Upon waiting for our escort we couldn’t help but notice the “No Gun Sales” sign in front of us. We thought this was obnoxious since they were offering “Free Crack” just inside  the swap meet.

Our armed escort arrived in his undercover jeep paying no attention to the crack in plain view. He beckoned us to follow escorting us a half a mile through the fairgrounds, past the equestrian center and football stadium to our full hook up site. He suggested we drive around and find the site we like and he would come back to check us in.

Something we missed on our packing checklist, inflatable hot tub. It wasn’t until a late foggy night when he fired up the jets that I realized that was a hot tub. I mean who would have thought to take a hot tub camping? But after a couple months on the road, you realize it’s genius!

We visited our family who took us to the local farmers market which is open year round. Among the boiled peanuts, fresh vegetables and baked goods we discovered a most peculiar item for sale.

We have family in Raleigh and so do our traveling friends from New Zealand. We were to see them before they left making their way back home via Nicaragua after their year long travel in the states.

We miss our New Zealand friends. We had met them the third week of our adventure and had the good fortune of connecting several times over a couple months on the road. We are blessed to have spent time together in beautiful places, making life long memories. They are in New Zealand now settling back into a life that is forever changed by the adventures they had on their journey. Having another family on the road to share this adventure was a special part of our journey that will never be forgotten. We think of them often wondering how life is after their adventure and reminiscing of our time together. We stay in touch on-line and especially look forward to our paths crossing again one day.

After a wonderful home made dinner from my niece and a backyard bonfire, we headed back out to the coast to Washington, North Carolina to visit more family. A visit was long overdue with Uncle Bill. He is the definition of a Southern Gentlemen. Soft spoken, polite and extremely well read, he was editor in chief for two large publications in his career. He lives close to the water on a beautiful property and is soon to be remarried. In our short visit he shared much family history. Our visit was brief but such a highlight. We left with a deeper connection to our family and family roots.

Sad to say goodbye but thankful for our time together. Next stop Myrtle Beach State Park in South Carolina.