GOOD DAY SUNSHINE!
Day 18 – It rained all night, the ground is soggy, the water in the pond is high, but the sun is shining & it’s beautiful out. 55 degrees, a little windy at 7:30 a.m., and we’re going out today to see what’s around us. There’s several National Wildlife Refuges in the area.
We drove back into Virginia to the North Landing River Area Preserve. It was a nice drive, about 45 minutes away, and we went back roads all the way. It’s amazing how large some of the houses are – mansions out in the middle of farmland – and there’s lots of development going on. The Preserve lands were previously open to the public, but were currently closed because lack of funding hasn’t allowed them to have a steward to watch over the Area. It was a really lovely place, quite large with hiking trails & several boat launches, winding waterways through marshes for kayaking, and picnic areas. The kayak/boat launch at the end of the bridge on Pungo Ferry Road was not closed; if it hadn’t been gusting with 20 MPH winds, we would’ve gone out. We ate lunch there, then drove on to lower Virginia Beach and the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Click any picture below to see a slideshow.
Back Bay NWR is located at the end of the road where the beach mansions end & resort stores stop. Below there, you cannot drive but have to hike to the camping at False Cape State Park. There is wonderful Ocean beach access and Bay access from the Wildlife Refuge. A long boardwalk goes out into the Bay and you can launch canoes & kayaks. Refuge Headquarters were closed due to the shutdown but plenty of people had parked their cars and gone out to watch the waves. Even though it was sunny and 58 degrees, it was very windy. The trash cans were overflowing since there were no rangers working, but some very nice volunteers were packing up the trash & taking it away. According to what we could see on the map, beyond the Headquarters, you could hike or bike on trails & look for birds. We hope to go back on a less windy day & spend more time here.
We got gas, stopped at a post office, and got back to the RV at 3:45 p.m. On the way back, we stopped to check out a couple of kayaking possibilities closer to the campsite. Both looked promising for another day. Now we’ve got a loaf of bread baking and are going to relax with the kitties.
North River Campground, Shawboro, NC
North River Campground, Shawboro, NC