Wilmington, North Carolina

Jack and I left Charlotte yesterday.  We had a WONDERFUL visit with Tom and Connie Cluderay. Tom and Jack went to high school together all those years ago. We were overwhelmed with their warmth and hospitality. We really had a great time. Unfortunately, we were so busy having fun, we forgot to take even a single picture.  Just imagine friendship and Southern hospitality personified. That's them.

Now we are in Wilmington, NC.  The weather is bright and cold.  The campground we are staying in is roomy, and comfortable, with hundreds of squirrels. (Our dearly departed dog Mandy would have LOVED it here!) Today we drove over the Intercostal Waterway and out to Wrightsville Beach on the Atlantic. There were a few kite boarders but no surfers, much to Jack's disappointment.

Wrightsville Beach

Then  we went to historic downtown Wilmington...which has a great river walk along the Cape Fear River, and some interesting architecture...but it seemed a bit deserted. According to someone who should know, the economy took quite a hit here, but is coming back. The U.S.S. North Carolina battleship is docked here too.

The U.S.S. North Carolina

We are really relaxing into the Southern style. I'm getting used to strangers calling me "Darlin'" and "Honey" and "Dear"...and the unexpected hugging... and, of course, all the fried food.

Note of interest: "Sweet Tea" is a staple down here. We were told the recipe is 4 pounds of sugar to 4 gallons of iced tea.  Hmmm....