North Carolina Advice
Feb 9th, 2009, 12:50 PM
#42
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OP, I don't think anyone answered your question about a sporting goods shop, but rest assured that there is a huge Bass Pro Shop in Concord Mills Outlet Mall, and plenty of other shopping alternatives in the area.
Feb 9th, 2009, 01:02 PM
#43
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Just to put a very fine point on it, Frenchtoile, the distance/time to Charleston from Charlotte is the same as to any of the other beaches we are discussing--4 hours. I know it seems odd, but it really is the way it works out!
What they wouldn't have at the Charleston beaches is easy access to the waterway for kayaking. They would have it just about anywhere else.
Also, just for discussion, I would not trust that the motel at the bridge in Wilmington would be ON the waterway--they certainly didn't show it as such--just the picture of someone sitting looking at the boats and saying "you can".
Holden and Sunset are also very nice.
The beach that time of year is very pleasant and quiet--warm enough to walk. No swimming.
What they wouldn't have at the Charleston beaches is easy access to the waterway for kayaking. They would have it just about anywhere else.
Also, just for discussion, I would not trust that the motel at the bridge in Wilmington would be ON the waterway--they certainly didn't show it as such--just the picture of someone sitting looking at the boats and saying "you can".
Holden and Sunset are also very nice.
The beach that time of year is very pleasant and quiet--warm enough to walk. No swimming.
Feb 9th, 2009, 06:10 PM
#44
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It will likely be colder on the beaches than in Seattle. the beaches are a 4-5 hour drive.
Head north to Blowing Rock (less than 2 hours drive). Beautiful small mountain town. Shopping and restaurants. Visit Boone, Valle Crucis, grandfather mountain. Hike roan mountain.
Head north to Blowing Rock (less than 2 hours drive). Beautiful small mountain town. Shopping and restaurants. Visit Boone, Valle Crucis, grandfather mountain. Hike roan mountain.
Feb 10th, 2009, 03:24 AM
#45
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David - What beach are you going to, Jekyll Island ? That would be about 5 hours, but that is also in Ga. As a frequent NC beach visitor (yr round, several times a year) I can assure you that I have been in the water off the southern carolina beaches in March. Certainly the weather can be a crap shoot, but the information you are providing is incorrect, & without merit. Right now in Seattle it is 32, right now in Wilmington, 60. I'll take my chances w/the Carolina beaches.
Feb 10th, 2009, 04:29 AM
#46
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Thanks San, saved me the trouble. Plus, mountains, while fun and lovely if that is what you want, will be cold, maybe very wet, and very bleak. They've already said they want the beach.
OPs, please do take the driving times from people who live in Charlotte and go to the beaches many times a year and for many years.
OPs, please do take the driving times from people who live in Charlotte and go to the beaches many times a year and for many years.
Feb 10th, 2009, 05:59 AM
#47
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Amazing but happens all the time. The OP starts asking for information on NC beaches and eventually tells us she's decided on the Wilmington area. But the thread becomes a discussion of beaches anywhere else or even the mountains. A variation of the "tell me where to go in London" - "no you really should think about Paris" theme.
Feb 10th, 2009, 08:44 AM
#48
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Thanks everyone, for the descriptions of Wrightsville & Ocean Isle. I think what it is going to come down to is what accomodations we can get. Hubby has been making phone calls & working on it. A beach house/cottage in Ocean Isle will trump a motel near Wrightsville, and vice versa. Will let you know where we end up. It could be someplace no where near these two <G>
Soccr - My dog is a papillon, she has been doing agility since she was a young pup. I'm very proud of her. I don't want to bore everyone here with all of her accomplishemnts. If you'd like to see my dogs' webpages e-mail me at Serendipity 42 @ msn. com (remove spaces) and I'll send you the link.
Dancing Bear - thanks for the Bass Pro info, that will be useful!
Gretchen - I am sure the Charleston beaches are gorgeous. Due to our short time frame we need to keep this short, sweat & simple, thus the decision to stay in NC. Maybe someday we can come back & visit Charleson, you never know.
Serendipity42
Soccr - My dog is a papillon, she has been doing agility since she was a young pup. I'm very proud of her. I don't want to bore everyone here with all of her accomplishemnts. If you'd like to see my dogs' webpages e-mail me at Serendipity 42 @ msn. com (remove spaces) and I'll send you the link.
Dancing Bear - thanks for the Bass Pro info, that will be useful!
Gretchen - I am sure the Charleston beaches are gorgeous. Due to our short time frame we need to keep this short, sweat & simple, thus the decision to stay in NC. Maybe someday we can come back & visit Charleson, you never know.
Serendipity42
Feb 10th, 2009, 10:03 AM
#49
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Just to be clear, I wasn't talking about Charleston beaches--as I said, they wouldn't be good for your husband's kayaking wish.
THERE are a LOT of SC beaches and they are great!! I was talking about beaches below MB.
But do keep looking at OIB--or even Sunset (next beach down).
THERE are a LOT of SC beaches and they are great!! I was talking about beaches below MB.
But do keep looking at OIB--or even Sunset (next beach down).
Feb 10th, 2009, 03:00 PM
#50
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What do you all think of Oak Island? Beach front cottage, 2 bdrm, pets ok, 4 night stay ok, creek in back leads to intercoastal, kayak rental place will deliver kayak & pick up. Is this too good to be true? Cute place! It's ours (still need to sigh contract & make deposit).
So it's not Wrightsville Beach or Ocean Isle, do you think it's a good choice?
Serendipity42
So it's not Wrightsville Beach or Ocean Isle, do you think it's a good choice?
Serendipity42
Feb 10th, 2009, 03:09 PM
#51
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Oak Island is a looonnnggg drive on mostly two lane highways. It's very lovely but a chore to get to from what I remember.
It goes straight back to my point that the Charleston beaches are easier access.
It goes straight back to my point that the Charleston beaches are easier access.
Feb 10th, 2009, 04:07 PM
#52
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I think GoTravel is biased. I looked it up on Mapquest and it is 4.5 hours, but Oak Island is a nice place. Close to a lot of sturff.
I do not think the Charleston beaches are at ALL what you want. Hey, and GT, it would take the 4.5 hours to get to them. This is even better than Wrightsville or OIB in my opinion.
This search is from Concord. I don't know if it will "hold" but it isn't that difficult. And these folks are from the far NW. The towns you go through on the way to this beach are really interesting. We did it this summer for the first time in a long time and it is CHARMING.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Conc...k+Island&2s=NC
I do not think the Charleston beaches are at ALL what you want. Hey, and GT, it would take the 4.5 hours to get to them. This is even better than Wrightsville or OIB in my opinion.
This search is from Concord. I don't know if it will "hold" but it isn't that difficult. And these folks are from the far NW. The towns you go through on the way to this beach are really interesting. We did it this summer for the first time in a long time and it is CHARMING.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Conc...k+Island&2s=NC
Feb 10th, 2009, 04:44 PM
#53
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GoTravel is a scrooge. We find the perfect place for us, & all he/she can say is we should have gone somewhere else. Sheesh!!
Gretchen - THANKS!! That is exactly what we need, the link worked fine. Charming sounds wonderful
Can you recommend a good place for us to stop for lunch on the way down & back?
I am really looking forward to this trip
Serendipity42
Gretchen - THANKS!! That is exactly what we need, the link worked fine. Charming sounds wonderful
Can you recommend a good place for us to stop for lunch on the way down & back? I am really looking forward to this trip
Serendipity42
Feb 10th, 2009, 04:52 PM
#54
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No, no. Not a scrooge. I just do think if you have found that at Oak Island it will be fun for you.
Depends on when you leave. Just take a look at places as you go. There aren't many things along the way any more, in my opinion, but I'll take a look at the towns and see.
If you see a "local" BBQ place, definitely STOP!!
You're gonna fall in love with the SE coast/beach.
You must have some fried oysters while you are there. You will never have better. You'll swoon.
Depends on when you leave. Just take a look at places as you go. There aren't many things along the way any more, in my opinion, but I'll take a look at the towns and see.
If you see a "local" BBQ place, definitely STOP!!
You're gonna fall in love with the SE coast/beach.
You must have some fried oysters while you are there. You will never have better. You'll swoon.
Feb 11th, 2009, 05:00 AM
#55
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Oak Island is probably the most populated of the Brunswick Island chain which includes Holden Beach, Ocean Isle & Sunset Beach. While there I would try to fit in a vist to Southport, The Provision Co. there is an excellent place to eat. Because Oak Island is larger & you access it from one end, if you are on the Long Beach end (for example)it will take you a few minutes to get to your place. That end is across the channel from Holden Beach & is tons of fun @ low tide, just be careful.
Feb 11th, 2009, 05:19 AM
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Oak Island sounds perfect for you.
Here's hint: zoom in on Gretchen's map and take 218 as a bypass around Monroe (lets you off in Polkton on US 74). Monroe is a nightmare of traffic lights and congestion (and is a big reason the Charleston area beaches are a bit shorter drive from Charlotte proper than the NC beaches).
Here's hint: zoom in on Gretchen's map and take 218 as a bypass around Monroe (lets you off in Polkton on US 74). Monroe is a nightmare of traffic lights and congestion (and is a big reason the Charleston area beaches are a bit shorter drive from Charlotte proper than the NC beaches).
Feb 11th, 2009, 05:28 AM
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Oh, and I would also take 211 through the Green Swamp at the end of the route rather than the round about way MapQuest takes you. But I'll defer to SAnParis2 on whether this is still the best way.
Feb 11th, 2009, 05:43 AM
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211 is the best way, particularly for Oak Island. In some instances we will cut through Whiteville if we are going to OI or Sunset or need a bite to eat, but for Oak Island or Holden stay on 74 until you pass Lake Waccamaw, there is a stop light where you'll turn right on 211 (& in season a veggie stand right there).
