Hitting the Pause Button

Not all  campgrounds are created equal.  We stayed at a KOA on Thursday, and went to an RV "resort" on Friday. The resort was more like a ghost town in our opinion.  There were campers there, but no campers to be seen...the people had gone without their recreational vehicles.  Snow birds exist everywhere.  So, needless to say, while we had a gorgeous view of the Bouge Sound and Atlantic Ocean, we had a boring time. 

Pardon the pun, but the squirrels at this resort were absolutely "nutty".  At times it got down right dangerous sitting at our own picnic table with one squirrel protecting "his territory" by bombarding us with the nuts from the nearby tree. I think they were chestnuts.  He'd eat his nut and literally toss the shells at us. It was the "battle of the hood". Humans; hoodies up!  Squirrel; come down here if you dare!  When he was finished about an half an hour later, he came down and scampered away--"YOU COWARD!" we yelled after it. (Yes, we had a long day... and we couldn't even use the free wi-fi that was offered unless we sat on the porch of the office running on battery power in the dark or 39 degrees in the morning... no thanks!  Not high on our priority list.)  So, the RV resort was a bust.

                                                      Back to campground #1.  We had a decision to make; to press on and possibly make it to Georgia, or stay put.  We chose the latter.  We are at Bridgeton, NC KOA.  New Bern is literally a stones throw from here, yet the Neuse River separates the two.  So, we have to go down the road, over this two mile long bridge, figure out a maze of ins and outs of highways (three of them come together at this river) and how to get into the business part of town if we need anything.  It's a beautiful campground with an excellent staff and is rated one of the best in the entire country--we were fools to leave last Thursday.   Sometimes what you're looking for is right in front of you.  The amazing thing about life is that you are always given second chances to make it turn out right.  We are here now for a month--rent paid and we can breathe again.  Dave and I had a massive rush in making this decision and it took a lot out of us at the same time.

Saturday was spent meeting our new neighbors from Virginian, Texas, and Canada... Bernie and Belle; Allie and Rick; Gunner and his dog, Ziggy; Pete, Sue and their dog, Tre - He was from England, she from New

Orleans, Louisiana and Tray we don't know where he was from.  We also met a lifelong local, who was out fishing near the campgrounds' wharf, named Paul.  He told us all about the Jumping Mullets that eat the Striper which he was fishing for.  He said to catch a Mullet, you need a net.  So, I figure they just jump in if you hold the net just right above the water.  ( Haven't tried my theory yet...will get back to you on that one.)

New Bern is the second oldest town in North Carolina.  It has a deep history besides what occurred in the Civil War. (Dave got this info out of the Triple A books - thanks Mom) For example, the town had the colonies first printing press was established here.  It had the states first newspaper and was the state capitol until 1794.  New Bern is also the birthplace of Pepsi Cola.  Anyone want a drink of "pop"? If we say 'soda' around here, they'll look at us as if we had two heads.

"Encouragement equals a force for good"; a sign seen on the back of a truck as we went to Walmart in search for helmets to protect us from squirrel attacks as the KOA also has the same trees...so far the squirrels have let us be and only the tree drops its nuts on a tin roof to the community room one site over from us.   
"Beyond all expectations"; was a caption I noticed in a magazine in the laundry room.  Dave noticed that all the magazines in there were female orientated.  He remarked that management thinks guys don't do laundry.  This trip to date has far superseded any ideas I had held for our journey.  Not only have we traversed the American soil, but we have ventured deep within ourselves and pulled out courage and bravery that we didn't know existed there.

As always, it is comforting to do what is familiar.  We are in the habit of worshiping among others on Sunday mornings. We found a Catholic church in New Bern and should have had our suspicions aroused when we noticed the road sign - Country Club Road...seriously? Yes.  The entrance was four lanes wide, past the park benches, gazebos, and water fountain in the man-made pond.  Then onward to view the three story school and the cathedral where Mass was to be held.  We stopped and stared...yes, we are tourists!  How many people do you know drive their RV to church?  We enjoyed the lively service and listening to the vocal variety within the choir and shaking warmly others hands in greetings.  We were comforted here.

On that note, I will sign off as one very happy camper. Dave will too after he puts in the pics.
Jill and Dave.