11/08 to 11/11 Dixon Landing RV Resort

Dixon Landing

(going to be) RV Resort

Grantsboro, NC

November 08 to November 11 

4 hrs. 209 miles

With a very pleasant week behind me in Cape Charles, VA, I'm continuing south. Located on the eastern shore of Virginia, Cape Charles was found in 1884 as a planned community by railroad and ferry interests. With a population of only 1,000 and its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnels its a great stopping point and recommended for my fellow RV travelers going south.

As mentioned in my last blog, sunsets were the main attraction for me and since posting my last blog, I've been fortunate to experience a couple more evenings of Nature's spectacles on canvas while in Virginia.

And, a final word about my week on the Chesapeake Bay.

There is nothing more tranquil, relaxing and peaceful as sitting near a body of water and peacefully listening to the endless rhythmic lapping of waves against the shore.  

Now on to North Carolina. November 8th was a beautiful day for driving even though it was four hours and 210 miles. Traffic was light and most of it along routes 13 and 17. In North Carolina, route 17 is the future I-87. I refueled in Virginia Beach where diesel was only $4.09/gal.  

As many times as I traveled over and through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnels, it never fails to amaze me what an engineering feat it was and it continues to expand. An incredible project. If interested, take time to visit the website linked above and learn about its history. I know I've devoted a lot of detail and photos of that section of my journeys south in past blogs. Or, if you want, CLICK this link and take a 3 minute drive through the 17.6 mile journey.

Here are some captured photos I took along the way.

My approach to the Bridge.

Toll for RVs $21.00

Treescape along route 13 in Virginia

Acres and acres of wind farms...

...and solar farms; major crop seemed to be endless acres of cotton in full bloom.

The day's travel along country roads, through small towns, villages and their traffic lights had a mixture of lovely homes, mostly of brick and a good number of run-down, abandoned and boarded structures. I saw very few people in or around businesses that appeared along the route and not a single person seen in residential areas. The south has no shortage of Baptist churches, ministries or other denominational places of worship. The highlight of the trip was the discovery and timing of a Pizza Hut for lunch.

Grantsboro with highway 55 running through it is a town of about 700 spread among its four square miles. Click on the link to get a rather detailed look at its population. It is small. They do have a McDonalds, Bojangles, Food Lion and a Walmart. 

Dixon Landing RV Resort is about eight miles southwest of town on Goose Creek which runs into the Neuse River. I think this will be another unique experience, one I'm actually looking forward to. After reading the following, I called the campground to be sure my 3-day stay wasn't going to be another episode of "Deliverance." Here's what I read about my next campground:

"Welcome to Dixon Landing RV Resort, our upcoming campground, nestled on 130 acres of scenic wooded land along the serene River Goose Creek. As we continue building, we’re excited to announce that our water and electric sites are now available for reservation. We’re gradually opening sections of the campground as they are completed, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for our guests."

"With over 2000 feet of waterfront, our campground boasts breathtaking views and a tranquil atmosphere. Our sites will accommodate both pull-through and back-in setups, catering to various camping preferences. Initially, we’re starting with waterfront sites, gradually expanding into the rest of the property."

After speaking with owner, Steve, it looks like my site with the flexibility of placing me wherever I want, will have 30 amp service and water. And it'll be located right on Goose Creek. No sewers yet but they will provide the honey wagon to pump out RVs as part of the campground fees. Kid's playground, Frisbee Golf, Shower, Laundromat and Bath House are "coming soon." So this'll be a "work in progress." And yes, he says, cell service is good. He suggested a "hot spot" device for the internet as there are no providers in the area. Fortunately, my AT&T hotspot is what I use in all campgrounds anyway. As mentioned, I'm looking forward to these 3 days. Look for plenty of photos of "breathtaking views."

As I got closer and closer to my destination, the pockets of "civilization" became fewer and far between. Along either side of the two lane road, if it wasn't cotton farmland as far as the eye could see, it was dense stands of pine and maple. Signs warning of "Log Trucks Entering" were common. If I saw a home, it begged the question, "What do they do?" "Where to they go to shop? There's nothing around for miles." This campground was truly going to be in the "boonies." Finally, my last turn off Goose Creek Road was onto John Pollack Rd, a dirt road with a "Dead End" sign to greet me and got an "Uh oh" and a chuckle out of me.

 

This sign and the number on the mailbox were the only indications that I had arrived at my destination.

The quarter-mile drive along this dirt road showed vast areas being cleared. My thought: "Future campsites."

No one around at what will probably be the "office." This place is definitely a 'work in progress.'

Ah, a couple approaching in a golf cart. A good sign.

I was greeted by Steve and Joan, the owners of the Dixon Landing RV Resort. They are retirees from the Adirondack area in New York State and purchased these 130 acres of land, including 2000' of shoreline along Goose Creek. Their plan? Converting a wilderness to a campground, a very admirable and extensive undertaking for one's retirement years. With about twenty sites developed (water, 30/50 amp service but no sewer) along the waterfront, they opened July 4th of this year. You can read about their future plans in the link provided above. A very personable couple, they led me to my site right along the Creek. I was one of five RVs, one of which was their fifth-wheel home. Some photos. First, a 360° video.

Goose Creek

The perfect scene for an anticipated sunset.

Steve says campsites will be wide; that RV is two sites away.

Fire ring already had branches and twigs for kindling in it.

There was a campfire at dusk...but not the same...

And the sunset came for me to enjoy.

November 8th's sunset, my first of three.

I took a walk along the shoreline path to get a feel for how the campsites will be situated in the future. Electrical boxes and water spigots were installed in quite a few of the sites. Steve indicated 17 are operational. Took some photos along the way.

Many sites will have to be graded for level, stumps will have to be removed but the infrastructure consisting of electricity and water are setup.  I had a hard time trying to figure how sites will be accessed as there are no roads yet charted.

The views, however, will be "breathtaking." Owners have plans for a boat launch as well.

And speaking of views, this caught my eye. What would you guess it to be? It seems to be rags or cloths draped over some type of frame making it look like an animal drinking. 

Upon closer examination, it's just another of Mother Nature's tricks and treats.

And another sunset for me to enjoy.

November 9th from a slightly different position

Even the afterglow enhances the beauty on the canvas of Mother Nature.
“The unexpected discoveries along the route are the joys of heading to the final destination.” ― Steven Magee

And so ends my 3-day stay in North Carolina. Again, nothing exciting to write about other than feeling fortunate once again to enjoy the pleasures that come with soaking in the sights that include Nature's presentations and creating and writing my blogs. Can't do that in my apartment, right? Alas, I doubt I'll be back in the future to see the results of Steve and Joan's labor of love. Here's their plan for which I wish them good luck. I had a peaceful, restful stay.

 My next stop will be 3-days in Myrtle Beach State Park. See you there.

"You never know what’s to come. That’s the beauty of life. If everything happened the way we wished, the way we planned, we’d miss out on the best parts, the unexpected pleasures."

~~Chanel Cleeton (Next Year in Havana)