Wilmington NC: April 21~28 with FHRV Club

Raising of the RV Club Flag

On Sunday, April 21 we began our trek southward to Wilmington North Carolina, after having had a great time with fellow Fairfield Harbour RVers at the Annual Open House and PotLuck in the Harbour. Weather on Sunday was chilly and very overcast. We arrived at the Wilmington KOA and set up on site 34.  

Then the Huebner’s and the Costello’s ventured into town to Front Street Brewery, Wilmington’s only microbrewery in a building that dates back to 1865. We found the menu and service to be wonderful. Our appetizers included very delicious pub fries, onion rings and beer nuggets. Dinners chosen for our table included fish n’ chips, classic Reuben and baby back ribs.

Eat, Drink, Camp

Staying warm at the fire

Eat, Drink, Laugh, Camp

Jeannie Beanie!

Fire-tending

Monday, April 22nd the remaining our our clubbers arrived at the campground and we all met around the campfire and shared hors d'oeuvres. Chilly night, but the campfire and good conversations kept us warm.

Tuesday morning we met around the campfire for donuts and coffee and planned our day. Wilmington is a small town blend of preserved historic areas and the striding into the 21st century of modernization and vision.

We boarded a local-owned trolley for an hour tour of the city that meandered through neighborhoods paved in brick-ways and listed in the National Register and along brick-lined and live oak treed streets reflecting eclectic styles of architecture and gardening.

After the tour we scattered like ants to various sites along the riverwalk. The Diligence, a Coast Guard Cutter, is homeported along Wilmington’s Cape Fear River. The Diligence is capable of performing missions that range from alien migrant interdiction operations, drug interdiction missions  and search and rescue.

   We  met as a group at Front Street Brewery for appetizers and happy hour, returning to our campsite for campfire. While sitting around the flames we were treated to seeing the space station go overhead as it was continuing its voyage in the neverending atmosphere.

Wednesday the rver’s embarked on their own smorgasbord of tours, shopping and sightseeing. Several of us boarded the Battleship North Carolina, which is a self-guided tour and can be a brief or as long a tour as you pace yourself. We began the walking tour after viewing the introductory movie and then meandering through the exhibit hall. 

As we began our walk up the gangway to board the ship one is struck by the size of ship. When the ship was commissioned in 1941 it was considered the world’s greatest weapon. 

 

As we walked on the main deck we saw the armament of  nine 16-inch/45 caliber guns in three turrets and twenty 5-inch/38 caliber guns in ten twin mounts. The weaponry is very formidable. During World War II the North Carolina was in the Pacific and earned 15 battle stars. 

The ship was decommissioned in 1947 and after being inactive for 14 years there were plans being made for its scrapping. There was a statewide campaign by citizens of North Carolina and bring her back to her home state. The Save Our Ship (SOS) campaign was successful and the Battleship arrived in her current berth in 1961 and in 1962 was dedicated as the State's memorial to its World War II veterans and the 10,000 North Carolinians who died during the war. We then met for a sunset dinner at Bridge Tender in Wrightsville Beach. Although there was no sun to see being set, we did enjoy a good meal and, again, great conversations. The evening brought us all to the fire circle to enjoy the sharing of laughter and guffaws.

Thursday our morning and midday brought us overcast skies, temperatures in the 60s and a few of our clubbers having to depart and hit the road. This evening will be happy hour and potluck.