DigitalRoadtrip

Day 5

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Last night I did remember to set the alarm on my phone. So, I was up and out nice and early. Wrightsville Beach is really quiet at 5:30A. There were very few people out for sunrise, and no surfers

After a quick breakfast and coffee at a place called The Workshop, it was time to head back.

But first, a stop at one of the island's parks.

My family lived in Wilmington until I was nine. When Dad got transferred to New York City and we moved to Jersey.

Those three homes by the bridge was the location of the lab where he worked. Dad studied corrosion. They had racks of metal plates in the water, and in fenced off areas scattered about near the beach.

If memory serves, the building to the right, on the other side of the bridge replaced the hospital where us kids were born. It was torn down a long time ago. I remember Dad stopping at the site to save a brick.

To get to Wrightsville Beach, you drive over a drawbridge us kids referred to as The Whistling Bridge, though the grating made more of a humming sound. On the drive out, I stopped to see if I could get a photo from ground level.

Before the bridge goes up they blow a siren and bring down gates across the roadway. I was about to walk away when I heard the siren. Sometimes I really do just get lucky.

From Wilmington, I could have chosen numerous routes. I chose a brief revisit to the Outer Banks. The mid day ferry from Cedar Island was already sold out. My choices were late afternoon or first thing Friday morning. So, I chose to drive up the coast just as far as Atlantic Beach. It would be an early start to make the 7A check-in for the ferry, but I was okay with that.

The drive to Atlantic Beach was three and a half hours and I had all day.

The first stop was the Pages Creek Nature Preserve. It's on the north side of Wilmington and a short detour.

There's a loop trail through the preserve with an overlook of the salt marsh.

Seriously, I was the only one not out walking with a dog.

From the marsh overlook...

The trail itself is easy. There are plenty of smaller side trails, but they all lead back to the main one.

About a half hour north is the Abbey Nature Preserve, named after Abbey Moore who fought to make this preserve a reality.

There's a main out and back trail, but plenty of shorter loops to add to your trip.

Towards the back of the mail loop, you come to this bridge over the swamp.

Turtles sunning themselves...

While I stood there taking the next few photos, three of them slipped off the log and into the water.

All three swam right up to the edge of the walkway and looked upwards as if in anticipation of food. Sad how many ignore the signs about feeding wildlife.

From the rest of the hike...

I finally pulled into Atlantic Beach around 4P. I stayed at the Sand Dollar Inn for one reason. It's respectable and cheap. Sure, I could be closer to the ferry terminal. But, would it be worth the cost?

After dropping my stuff in the room, I started looking for something to do. Fort Macon State Park is just up the road. I toured the fort the last time. There is however, a three and a half mile loop trail.

The reviews were positive, though some mentioned bugs. One read "it's best to go on a windy day." It seemed perfect. I even had a windy afternoon. How windy? Yes, there's as app for that, too.

The state park really wants everyone to know they close at 8P.

The trail went from sand dunes...

To thick canopy and back...

During World War II, Fort Macon was outfitted with six inch guns for coastal defense. This is all that remains of the lookout.

One of the side trails leads out to the beach.

Another led to an overlook of the marsh.

Back at the car and pulling out of the lot by 7P.

There's a marina and RV park across from the motel. It seemed like a good place to settle in for sunset.

Day 3

Tuesday May 20, 2025

One of the great things about living here way back when, is the proximity to Wrightsville Beach. Going to the beach on a regular basis just seemed normal. We were spoiled by it.

The beach is an easy drive and I could see the early colors as I approached.

At one point, a Dad showed up with his three kids. All three grabbed surfboards and hit the water. Dad grabbed his camera and waded into the surf.

Not a bad way to start the day. I snagged a coffee and egg sandwich and drove back to my sister's place.

My next goal was a revisit to Greenfield Park. There's a four and a half mile loop trail that runs along the park perimeter and down by the lake. It's an easy walk with no real elevation gain.

Spanish Moss isn't an easy thing to shoot. Too much light and it get washed out. Not enough and it gets lost in the shot. Sometimes you just get lucky.

I did stop at this overlook and had a nice chat with a local guy. He comes here for the quiet. From this overlook, all I heard were the Gray Catbird. How do I know? There really is an app for that

Not a bad way to start the day at all. When you use the All Trails app, they send you a recap like this. It can even estimate your calorie burn.

As usual, I drove down to the riverfront for sunset. There's a small park a few blocks from the tourist area. I didn't realize how big the curve in the river was and didn't expect the the angle of the sun. The prospect of sunset with the bridge, yeah, I was coming back for sunset.

But first, I ditched the car and took a walk up 3rd Street towards Wells Fargo. I didn't cash up before this trip like usual. I only mention it for what happened.

There was only a drive up ATM, with a line of cars. There were also people like me on foot. I'd love to know how it started. The driver in the car finished and the next driver waited. Someone walked up to the ATM. Cars and pedestrians were calmly alternating and waiting their turn.

Looping back to the riverfront..