Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

Yesterday we were up and out of Newport by 10:00 a.m.  Our destination Camp Hatteras RV Resort in Waves, NC.   Along the way we stopped in to visit Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge.  We met the new resident volunteer at the visitor center.  She had only been there two weeks and is still getting used to the place.  We also met the lady who works the front desk.  She was more than happy to answer the questions we had about volunteering there.  She let the resident volunteer take us over to look at the volunteer RV sites to see if our rig would fit.   The sites weren't far from the visitor center so we decided to walk over.  I am so glad we did because I had my camera with me.

This is the old pumping plant located in front of the entrance to the visitor center. 

Visitor Center

Maintenance Buildings

The scenery on the way to the RV sites.

There were a few of these guys flying around.  So glad I was able to snap a photo of one.  There were also lots of turtles but they scurried off the logs so fast I couldn't get a picture. Bummer!    I love getting  good pictures of plants, bugs and animals on the refuge.  I never knew I would enjoy volunteering at wildlife refuges so much until I worked with our friend Judy Bell.  I learned so much from her and enjoyed every minute of it.  Thank you Judy.  Below is a little tribute to you Judy from our time at Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in 2014.

After about an hour visit we were on our way again.  We made it to our destination around 4:30 and got all set up.  It was very windy and chilly.  

Our site.  50 AMP full hook-up.  Yeah!!!

Today our friends John and Lora picked us up for a road trip to Cape Hatteras.  

John and Lora going in to climb the lighthouse.  We climbed it back in 2004 so we waited at the bottom.  While we waited we talked with the volunteer (Lisa) taking tickets.  We learned she is also an Escapee member.  Sadly, her husband recently died and she is keeping busy volunteering.  We were still talking with her when John and Lora returned from their climb.  Before leaving all exchanged contact information.  Our next stop was lunch.   We stopped at a place that Lisa had suggested called The Point.

 Lora and John

John and I

John, me, Lora and John

Good food, good conversation with great friends.  So glad we got to meet up with them.  We had a fun day.  Safe travels to Lora and John.  We will see them in Vermont if not before. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Cedar Island

The weather here in Newport has been great with temperatures in the upper 70s for the most part.  Yesterday was a great day for a road trip so we ventured out to Cedar Island.   On the way there John noticed something interesting in the sky.  He pulled off and was in time to get a photo of a Marine MV-22 Osprey.

We walked on the beach at Cedar Island enjoying the scenery.  It was a bit windy.

This morning I kept hearing a loud squawking outside.  When I looked outside I saw a large bird putting on a show.  I think he was trying to attract the females from across the water. 

He danced and squawked for a while, left, then came back and started all over again.  Very interesting to watch. 

This afternoon another bird sat for a while.

They are having an airshow this coming weekend so we have been seeing large helicopters and Harrier jets over head.  The Harrier jets are loud.

Tomorrow will be a travel day for us.  Our destination will be Cape Hatteras with a planned stop on the way at Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge.

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe. 

Moving on to Newport, NC.

Before leaving Tabor City last week we stopped in to visit our Myrtle Beach friends, Tom, Beth and Stephanie.  It was so good to catch up with them.  I think the last we saw them was in 2012 when we stayed at Briarcliff RV resort in Myrtle Beach.  They were our neighbors at that park and Fred loved them.  Every time I took him walking he headed next door to visit them.   Sadly this time Fred wasn't here.  I bet he is looking down from the Rainbow Bridge wagging his tail at all of us.  We enjoyed the visit very much.

Tom, Stephanie and Beth.

Before leaving the area John and I ate at Duffy's Street Seafood Shack and we finally met Stacy, the daughter of Fran, who we will be volunteering for in New Jersery.  A neat place to eat.

.....and also...we stopped in at Indigo Farms.  A really unique produce and bakery/deli that our friend Beth told us about.  They have a nursery, a deli, fresh produce and fresh baked pies, cookies and pastries.  Yummy.

Sunday we were up and on the road to Goose Creek RV Resort in Newport, NC.  It wasn't a bad ride just a few crazy drivers on the road.  

Our site at Goose Creek.  We had a neighbor on one side but they left this morning.  Now we have the whole side to ourselves.

It has been relatively quiet here until tonight.  Right after dinner we heard, then saw, military jets flying over.  We are not far from Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune.  The lady in the office told us they will be having an air show in the area this weekend so maybe they are practicing. 

This is the best picture I could get.  They were very loud. 

The sunset was beautiful here tonight. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy Trails.  Stay safe.

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

We really enjoyed Barb and Bob's visit.  Sunday we watched the NASCAR race, played several rounds of ladder golf and then finished the night with some of John's baked ziti and a few games of Sequence.

Watching the race. 

Monday morning Barb and Bob moved on to their next destination.  We will miss them.  Safe travels Barb and Bob.  We will see you in a couple months.

Last minute conversation before hitting the road. 

There they go. 

Monday night was the first night of the Horry County Fair so we decided to check it out.  On the way out of the RV park John noticed somebody watching us. 

Cute little fellow.   He hung around long enough for me to get a picture.

When we arrived at the fair traffic was getting heavy.  By the time we visited the pretting zoo and watched the pig races, the fairgrounds had become packed with people.  Monday night was $2.00 admission so I guess a lot of people wanted to take advantage of that. 

All the animals wanted something to eat.  I liked the baby goats.  So cute.

Pig races.

Tuesday was our last day in Myrtle Beach so we rode over to check out the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge.  It is a very nice facility with cool exhibits.  While there we talked to a lady named Brenda who was the resident volunteer there.  This was her first refuge volunteer job and she is also new to fulltime RVing.  We wish Brenda the best of luck.  

The entrance to the visitor center.  Parking is located on a gravel road then you have to walk a little ways down a gravel path then a boardwalk to get to the center.  Handicapped parking is located at the front parking lot of the center.  Below are photos of some of the exhibits. 

A rear view of the visitor center. 

John enjoying the view from the back porch. 

The view from the back porch of the center. 

All that running around can make you hungry. On the way back home John spotted a place for lunch called the Rustic Table.  The weather was just right for dining outside.

Waiting on his food. 

John had a Reuben and I had a chicken sandwich.  It was very good but I couldn't eat it all.

This morning we were on the road by 11:00 and on our way to Tabor City, NC.  We weren't going far so it was a short travel day.  After a stop for fuel we arrived just before 1:00 p.m. and are all set up at Carrollwoods RV Park.  Nice park.....full hookup, free wifi and big campsites.

Our site. 

Laugh everyday.  Happy trails.  Stay safe.