Date:         Sat, 22 Sep 2007 18:48:32 -0700
Reply-To:     John Runberg <jrunberg@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Runberg <jrunberg@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Trip report -- the short version
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Short version for the ADD crowd.

We just got back from a jaunt down the east coast --  Virginia Beach, VA (home) // Ocracoke, NC //  Wilmington, NC // Myrtle Beach, SC // Charleston, SC // Home. Ran 17 down the coast (ferrys and all) then took I95 back up again.

Top 13 memories from the trip:
1) I like ferrys.
2) we live just a few hours from Ocracoke, but don't visit nearly enough. By far the best (and cheapest) campground on the trip was the national park on Ocracoke. stars. And lots of 'em!
3) KOAs suck, although have hot showers and are better than the only other alternative in Wilmington.
4) Wilmington's downtown rocks (they were "our people") but the beaches were very "if you don't live here, go away -- a theme for much of the trip)
5) The Westy (and the preggers wife) were magnets for people. Old, young, hippie and <shudder> republican :)
6) Everyone in coastal NC and SC are nice. Freakishly nice. It was nice.
7) People say Virginia Beach is "tacky", but 17 business in Myrtle Beach really takes the title. WOW.
8) The state park in MB was nice and the people were nice and the beach was nice. Freaky, but I wouldn't live in SC to save my live (personal opinion)
9) Charleston is a rad town with lots of moneyed, comfortable people than we've seen before. Didn't see and middle class -- just top and bottom. Depressing.
10) The "community campground" on James Island was the ultimate in Class A heaven, and we were not among our people, but they were very nice.
11) Ate at Jestines. Awesome. Have a possible middle name for our soon-to-be-spawn.
12) No-one on I95 is nice. No-one likes my long(er) hair. And no-one has ever seen a Vanagon.
13) South of the Border is crazy awesome, and has 10 million cats (which are also awesome). At night, it's so empty you can imagine the day time stood still.

The wind stayed up out of the north for most of the trip, which kept me from being sad I didn't bring a surfboard. The westy was comfortable even with both of us (or three, if you count the child-to-be) downstairs. I was anexed upstairs before the rain came and froze since no bag was brought. Das van ran fine, consumed a little oil (from blow-by or a tiny leak off the case -- need to reasearch further), consumed no coolant, loves going 55-60mph and satellite radio is da bomb. Can't complain.

Pics and a longer version (linked) coming later for those who like that kinda thing.

Next weekend is Pony Pitch. Anyone going?

john