GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 The boy is asleep, and I have all my camping "chores" done, so let's start a sometimes live trip report. After all, he'll be napping every day, and we're here a long time. Might as well do some writing. We're at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. In my heart, it's tied with the Fort for favorite places to camp. I love them for totally different reasons. At the Fort and Disney, there is so much to do; you can always experience something new. At Topsail, there's really nothing to do. That's nice sometimes. It's especially nice when I finish up a school year. The last part of the drive is pretty. We made it in 6 hours. Jason was a champ and drove straight through. Keep in mind this is 3 weeks after knee surgery. He was ready to get there too! Joy! We're here! Upon arriving, I made a drink. I don't usually drink fruity stuff at home, but at the beach, it just feels right. I was a little bummed we were arriving too late to go to the beach that day. But we decided to set up and go out to dinner with our friends who are also here. After dinner, we just relaxed. See this frog and the fly? The fly was eaten right after this picture. Poor guy. This morning we got up, and I had one thing on my mind.... BEACH!!!! The beach here is beautiful, and since the state park has around 3 miles of beach, it's not very crowded. To get to the beach, you either bike or ride the tram. We usually bike, but mine had a flat tire, so Z and I took the tram. It runs every hour on the hour. Here's some rental information for those interested. There's bike and car parking at the tram, but we just walked. It's not far. Here's where you wait. Look, there's Jason and our stuff. Someone's as excited as me about going to the beach. Here's the tram and the where you get dropped off. There's a boardwalk over the dunes to the ocean. Crowded, huh? We decided to set up here. Ah, I've been waiting for this for 11 months. Notice the water is rough for the Gulf. It was a red flag day. I don't care. It's still heavenly. A boy and his ocean. Z LOVES everything about the beach. It was a good kite day. Like Jason's hat? That's all for now.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CoachClough 12 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Wow, that's awesome. My wife is a teacher. For one more week, then she starts her new career. What does your hubby do? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Looking forward to more live reporting. We camped at Topsail once. I doubt we'll ever go back, as INC and I both hate the beach. But Topsail is a beautiful park...no doubt. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Katman1356...Jason 1,140 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 I will be following along. Sil loves to see pictures of the beach and ocean. I am with DIT though. I can't stand the beach. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alexwyattmommy 181 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 That photo of Z sitting on the sand in front of the water is a total Zen moment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AC in A2......Aaron 693 Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Looking forward to more.Love the beach pics! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Keep the pics coming! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Loving the pictures.We have yet to get to the Gulf and we have lived here for 12 years. Thinking we need to fix this.In our defense when we lived in Maryland we were less than three hours away from the beach. When I was in college only 30 minutes away. Now that we have been here awhile 6 hours doesn't seem like such a long drive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CoachClough 12 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Loving the pictures.We have yet to get to the Gulf and we have lived here for 12 years. Thinking we need to fix this.In our defense when we lived in Maryland we were less than three hours away from the beach. When I was in college only 30 minutes away. Now that we have been here awhile 6 hours doesn't seem like such a long drive.Where did you go to school? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Where did you go to school?Salisbury State graduated in 92. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CoachClough 12 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Salisbury State graduated in 92. Woot! My wife and I are fellow Gulls, class of 98. One of the last classes to have the State still in the name :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Woot! My wife and I are fellow Gulls, class of 98. One of the last classes to have the State still in the name :)Cool! I haven't been back in awhile, but I was recently looking online as my son graduates next year and I think it would be a good fit for him. It seems to have really changed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CoachClough 12 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Cool!I haven't been back in awhile, but I was recently looking online as my son graduates next year and I think it would be a good fit for him. It seems to have really changed. It has, but for the better. Potomac Hall finally got torn down and they built a beautiful new Science building. Part of Chesapeake's parking lot is now the Science and Technology building. And where Powell dining hall used to be is where those 2 buildings meet. New dining hall is way better than powell was, we had it our senior year. Love it, miss it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kampfirekim 260 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Well phooey on the beach haters! I love the beach and have been patiently waiting for this report! KFK is ALL IN! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted June 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Wow, that's awesome. My wife is a teacher. For one more week, then she starts her new career. What does your hubby do? My husband is a computer nerd. And he's blessed enough to own part of one business and do contract work for another. That makes trips like this possible. If you keep following, you'll see we're here for a nice amount of time. Looking forward to more live reporting. We camped at Topsail once. I doubt we'll ever go back, as INC and I both hate the beach. But Topsail is a beautiful park...no doubt. You're right; it's beautiful, even if it wasn't on the beach, but it IS!!! Whooo Hoooo!!!! I don't get not liking the beach. Besides being a UF fan, what's wrong with you? I will be following along. Sil loves to see pictures of the beach and ocean. I am with DIT though. I can't stand the beach. Can't stand it? I don't get it. The beach is my therapy. That photo of Z sitting on the sand in front of the water is a total Zen moment. Right? I freaking love that kid. And he loves everything about the beach. Looking forward to more.Love the beach pics! Great! You'll probably be tired of them in 16 days, but they'll keep coming. Keep the pics coming! Ditto! Loving the pictures.We have yet to get to the Gulf and we have lived here for 12 years. Thinking we need to fix this.In our defense when we lived in Maryland we were less than three hours away from the beach. When I was in college only 30 minutes away. Now that we have been here awhile 6 hours doesn't seem like such a long drive. You do need to fix that. No excuse. The Gulf > The Atlantic in my book. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted June 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Well phooey on the beach haters! I love the beach and have been patiently waiting for this report! KFK is ALL IN! :) Welcome aboard... I "might" be trying to convince you to come next year. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kampfirekim 260 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Welcome aboard... I "might" be trying to convince you to come next year. :) I am thinking it may not be a hard sell. Of course, I hear the two of us could be Trouble together. ;D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CoachClough 12 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 I'm definitely in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 I think I would actually like the beach if it wasn't for the sand, salt water, sun, sweaty people and sunblock smell. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 What's with the beach haters? Don't like getting sand in your pants? I love listening to the surf. When I lived in NH I could sometimes hear the fog horn late at night. Lovely, mournful sound. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 I have already told Steve that it is a place we need to checkout. Looking at the map it looks to be less than a 6 hour drive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AC in A2......Aaron 693 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 We like the gulf side better too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BuckeyeFortMama 43 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 That photo of Z sitting on the sand in front of the water is a total Zen moment. I totally agree! Awesome photo. I have already told Steve that it is a place we need to checkout. Looking at the map it looks to be less than a 6 hour drive. I pulled this up and thought wait did I post already? Although it'd be well over 6 hours I can't wait to see what this trip report brings. I was looking into the area as a non-camping trip but this might just be a nice camping place. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 I'm so surprised to read that many of you don't like the beach! Since I can't live at the fort fulltime, the beach would be my second choice. Looking forward to more of your TR! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigTom 76 Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 I don't care for the beach, but love salt water. I love the Florida Keys, no natural beaches, but the water is beautiful. I likefishing and diving in the oceans. Have always lived in Florida. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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