So, with it looking like the offer we accepted on our current big nest looking like it is not going to completion, Kasey was getting a little restless with our European Plans being put on hold.

Sunday was also her birthday, so we headed to her favorite place – The Beach. The beach that would be our destination is Fort Fisher, and we would be staying at Blakesley Air Force Recreation Center. They offer Tent and RV Spaces, Cottages, and Dorm Rooms. The latter, which was all that was available at such late notice, was what we chose. We had stayed in them before.

First, we needed to get with the house and dog sitter, plan and pack up the car and make the 3 to 4 hour trip Wilmington, North Carolina. We are fortunate that we live about the same driving distance from the ocean and the Smoky Mountains.

The trip was pretty uneventful until we were making our way through Wilmington, and we were drown by a monsoon. The rain backed up and pooled in the streets as the drains couldn’t handle the flow. By the time we entered Carolina Beach, the rain was gone, and the sun was shining bright.

We were early for the 4 o’clock check-in, but while were shopping in the gift shop, they told us our room was ready. Our plan was to get a parking pass for the lot that right across the street from the beach, so this is a very convenient spot to stay.

We moved into our room, unpacked, and changed and freshened up to head out for Kasey’s Birthday Dinner. We passed the place I had picked out, though she still didn’t know. Birthday Dinners were often surprise for her, but sometimes the best plans got foiled. To celebrate another loop around the sun, and her Irish Heritage, we drove back to dine at The Harp.

I had predicted she would order the Shepard’s Pie, and I went for the Belfast Fish and Chips. We will see how authentic the food The Harp provides when we visit Ireland. Whether real Irish Food or not, it was delicious, and place we would definitely come back and eat for another meal.

The sun was dipping down behind the Cape Fear River when we returned, so we hung in the room, until we decided it was time to turn in. Below are pictures and video of our Deluxe Air Force Training Dorm Accommodations. What you can’t see is that the mattress was as firm as a new cadets salute.

Here’s a quick video of our luxury accommodations.

In case you don’t watch, you get a bed in your room, but you have to make it, and make sure that a quarter can bounce off of it. There is also a side table and desk. Your sink is in your room, along with a refrigerator, television on top of a dresser, and a open closet area. The television has no connection, so bring your own Roku or Fire Stick to plug in, if you can get Internet Service (I had to put my phone in the window to get the hot spot to work). So, where is the toilet and the shower? That’s in a room in between your room, and the one on the other side of building. You share it with what could be complete strangers. There is a Radio Shack looking button on the wall that says is locks both doors while you are in there. Fortunately, we have never stayed her when someone was on the other side.

Monday we woke up from our hard night’s slip from the mattress. I realized you could have a pretty big wrinkle in the sheet, and quarter would still rebound to the ceiling. Today was beach day, a further extension of Kasey’s Birthday. But first, a trip to Kate’s Pancake House. I was able to have my own custom omelette, I take their Veggie Omelette with Feta Cheese and add bacon. Kasey had her usual, cheese omelette and pancakes.

We made it to the sand and surf around eleven in the morning, and there were very few parked on the beach. As the day progressed, more and more shade structures went up. By the the height of the afternoon, a long row of beach goers extended from the pier to as far as the eye could see.

We took a few quick dips in the chilly Atlantic water, but spent most of the time sitting in our chairs just a few inches from the sand. After the heat dried us out, we made our way back across the street to the car, and then drove back to the room.

Tonight would be another dinner out, but we weren’t really hungry, but had an appetite for shrimp and beer. We went back up Highway 421 and stopped at Micheal’s Seafood.

After dinner, we retired back to room, missed seeing the sunset over the Cape Fear River, and tried to play Clue, that we borrowed from the Lodge, but were stymied by the mystery of how to play it without any dice. Some other pieces of the game were also lost. So, our tablets came up until we were ready to try to sleep again on the piece of plywood that filled in as our mattress.

Tuesday was my day, repayment for coming to the beach, and since the other two days were about here birthday. We started out at the North Carolina Aquarium in Fort Fisher.

After the aquarium, we went back to room for lunch, and looked for something to fill the afternoon. A rain shower while were inside cooled things off, so we thought maybe a short hike might be fun. Plus, we could check out Carolina Beach State Park, which had a campground. We like cruising through camp grounds to see where we would like to park a rig.

We checked in at the Marina, and then took a short hike along Snows Cut River. It featured a surprising amount of forestation. Every other place we saw featured sparse palm trees.

Our day was drawing to a close, and on the way back to the room, we stopped in at Uncle Vinnie’s Pizzeria for some dinner. This was a new stop for us, and we were not disappointed. While we shared a pizza, one half had only cheese, while the other was piled up New York Style – that was my half.

Our final chapter in this adventure was the next morning, with another visit to Kate’s Pancake House for breakfast before heading back to central North Carolina. This is a favorite of ours, and our second visit this trip. The way home was met with rain off and on, but overall it was a great, and refreshing Birthday Beach Get Away. Now, lets get this house sold so we can go on our next adventure!