*********Carolina Beach Memorial Day Weekend 2008********

[charleston]

Carolina Beach in NC has some great sand wheeling and camping too, $10 per night or $40 for a year pass. Fishing and good surfing too.
Here is a google Earth view from space of the beach. Carolina Beach, NC, United States of America - Google Maps
I was there last year and had a great time.

The ramsgate trail south of Kure Beach and Fort Fisher is even bigger and longer but I am not sure about camping there. Here is the view Carolina Beach, NC, United States of America - Google Maps

This idea came up in another camping thread but this new thread will make it an offical event to those who want to attend.

"Hey this sounds like a great idea. Why don't we do it Memorial Day weekend at Carolina Beach? Drive way up the beach, nice fire, Frogmore stew, surf fishing.
One day we can go down to Fort Fisher and drive around, do a little civil war study.
Surfers can surf, wheelers can wheel, loafers can loaf.
Whaddaya say?"-billwright

[BillWright]

I, of course, am in.
b

[Brock]

is there camping on beach or nearby to throw a tent up?

[charleston]

Camping on the beach is permitted but if you do not like sand, there is a state campground 5 minutes away.

[VTCruiser]

hmmm...might be a good maiden voyage for the cruiser! (if it's done by then...)

[BillWright]

May 24-26. I'll probably go down the 23rd. I'll have to take that day off to protect against the dreaded MWD (mandatory work day) that Saturday.

Will anyone else be there?
b

[charleston]

I will be there and bringing a friend with his J**P

[BillWright]

K good Monday I'll see if I can book a vacation day the Friday to protect the Saturday against MWDs (funny how that acronym has an ominous ring)

[Trollhole]

Moved to LC. This looks like fun.

[BillWright]

Originally Posted by BillWright

K good Monday I'll see if I can book a vacation day the Friday to protect the Saturday against MWDs (funny how that acronym has an ominous ring)

I wasn't able to get the Friday off so I'll come down Friday night probably.
My nephew wants to come down from Va Beach with his 4wheeler.

Where to meet?
b

[charleston]

We will be coming down Friday night too, I guess we can drive down the beach a bit and find a place for the night. My cell is 843-557-7403

Dustin

[GregFrench]

Sounds like another one I can make it to!
I'll bring my surf kayaks.

[charleston]

Important Information about Carolina Beach
freeman_park

[BillWright]

Originally Posted by GregFrench

Sounds like another one I can make it to!
I'll bring my surf kayaks.

Cool, there's supposed to be a good little break off Ft Fisher at certain tidal conditions.
Or we can hope for an early 'cane

b

[charleston]

The CB pier has great waves, here is one of me last year.

[Brock]

we definitely dont get those off folly except with mean storms coming through.....

[charleston]

Originally Posted by Brock

we definitely dont get those off folly except with mean storms coming through.....

Exactly, the waves are so much better up there and bigger too as the water is deeper. Not so much of a beach break either.

[charleston]

Since we are all arriving at different times I have found a location that should be accessable by everyone and also close to the PortaJohns. This link will take you to the PDF and on the 2nd page is a map of the beach. I think meeting between zones 11-12 would be a good place for Friday as it is only half way down the beach.
http://www.carolinabeach.org/site_ne...anPark_001.pdf
File may take a few minutes to download.

Remember to deflate your tires to 15psi or so as the sand is very soft.

[BillWright]

Originally Posted by charleston

Remember to deflate your tires to 15psi or so as the sand is very soft.

X2. I drove in a lot of sand when I lived in Arabia, I have never been in sand as soft and fluffy as N end of Carolina Beach. BTW I'll be taking my Super Swampers off and putting my road tires back on. They are supposed to be a lot better for the sand than mud tires.
Did I understand from the rules link that ATVs are verboten?
b

[charleston]

Originally Posted by BillWright

X2. Did I understand from the rules link that ATVs are verboten?
b

Yes, they dont want people driving all crazy with atv's and in the foliage as that would quickly lead to closing of the beaches to all Motor vehichles. I think we are lucky enough as it is to have Carolina Beach to camp and drive on. I doubt it will last much longer.

I went ahead and sent off my application for the year pass, the $50 is worth it since I plan on going a few more times this year during HC season. That way I can camp for free the rest of the year and spend the savings on gasoline when it reaches $5 a gallon later this year.

[GregFrench]

Ok...so is this a go? I could drive up there on Monday. Is there anyone going to still be there?

[charleston]

I will definately be going on the 23rd arriving around 9pm. We will be leaving around 3pm on Monday the 26th. Lets hear from the others and see how many are planning on going.

[TRfWJ]

This looks like a ton of fun!!! If all goes well, I'll be comin down w/ a lady friend and possibly a couple buddies from N. Myrtle w/ some boards.

Bill, I'm back in TR now for the summer. Think we could caravan??
I hope this works out. Good times shall ensue.

[BillWright]

Man I can't wait. I thought this would never get here.

I'm off work Thursday and will be packing, prepping, putting on street tires, maybe even wash her ! !
Jeri and I both have to work Friday the 23rd and so I plan to leave straight from the car mill at 5:30 PM Friday afternoon. If I recall it'll probably be about 5-6 hours to Pleasure Island, so figure 11-midnight ETA. You C'ston guys leave a light on for us eh? Send up a flare when you see us eh? If we miss you we'll find you Sat morning.

Karl if you want to go that late I'd be glad to convoy. You could even pick Jeri up at Cherrydale and bring her to BMW so she wouldn't have to leave her car out there.

At any rate glad to have you along. Looking forward to seeing you again. Got no surfboard, I could bring Steve's snowboard and try the dunes ha ha. Some friends of mine used to take their snow skis out in the Empty Quarter in Saudi and ski on the big dunes. Quite a sight seeing guys on dirt bikes out in the big desert with skis strapped on their backs

[greenseaman]

me and the wife may try to make it for the day Saturday

[NCjeff]

Seeing as this is in my neighborhood, it would be rude of me not to come down there and say hello to everyone. Im glad you guys are excited, I drove around on the beach Saturday for the first time this season and it was already crowded, but still beautiful. I would try to drive down a good ways from the entrance, it gets a little more spread out down by the inlet. Bring your surf casting rods if you got'em, the water is starting to warm up and we are starting to catch some fish. If anybody needs any help while they are here, dont hesitate to ask me for it.

Jeff

[charleston]

Jeff, Would zone 11 & 12 be far enough? There is an outhouse there and one further down by the inlet by zones 19 & 20. I'd say its a little over a mile to the further spots, I just want to make sure its easy enough for everyone to find eachother on the crowded beach.

Dustin

[NCjeff]

I would say go to the farthest set of "Port o johns". When you first get on the beach, its very crowded, but it always gets less crowded the further down. I would imagine on Memorial day weekend it will be quite crowded. If some of you are going to be there Friday or early Saturday, spread out alot of stuff so nobody parks near you, then as others join do the same so you guys have plenty of space.

You cannot drive thru the dunes, all those trails on that map are closed off. You can only drive from