State Parks – Page 12 – Wandering Dawgs

Day 69: Tuesday, July 23, 2013. Alaskan Angler RV Park to Deep Creek Beach State Park, Ninilchik, Alaska. About 3 miles traveled.

We broke camp and moved to Deep Creek Beach State Park on the beach in Ninilchik. From our campsite we can see volcanoes, the ocean, and hear the waves crashing on the beach at high tide. I think I’m in heaven!

Our campsite at Deep Creek State Park

View of Mount Redoubt from our campsite

Camping at Deer Creek Beach, Ninilchik, Alaska

Mount Redoubt erupted in 2009

The campground is located a short walk down the beach from the boat launch area in one direction and Deep Creek in the other direction. We spotted an eagle in a tree on the bluff across from Deep Creek so I headed down there to get a few pictures. He did a great job of posing for me.

Bald Eagle on Ninilchik Beach

This eagle was perched in a tree on the side of the bluff overlooking Deep Creek

Same eagle

Another pose

After I got my fill of watching the eagle we noticed the fishing boats were starting to come in so we walked down to the launch area for a few photos and videos.

We watched them bringing in the boats

Skidders were bringing in the boats non stop

Here is a video of the skidder taking a boat out of the water.

Right after we got back to the campsite I got a call from Ruth Ann that Ted was going out on an afternoon charter so I walked back down to the launch area to see him off.

Ted waiting to board for his Halibut fishing trip

Ted boarding for his fishing trip. He caught his limit of 2 Halibut

Heading out to the fishing grounds

Day 2, Friday May 17: We traveled 113 miles from Statesville, NC to Claytor Lake State Park in Dublin, VA. Claytor Lake is a great state park and an easy drive to our daughter’s house. Her family came to the park on Friday night for burgers, hot dogs and s’mores. We started having sprinkles in the afternoon but the weather cooperated and didn’t start raining until after dinner.

Welcome to Virginia!

Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, VA Site D22

View out our back window at Claytor Lake State Park, Virginia

Slash pine at Claytor Lake State Park

Many trees displayed their springtime blooms at Claytor Lake State Park

Claytor Lake

Early morning at Claytor Lake

Day 3, Saturday, May 18: We watched the rain come down all day, hoping it would stop in time for our grandson’s soccer game. The game was canceled but they were still able to spend the night with us. I picked up a brick oven pizza from MK’s Gourmet Pizzeria – it was delicious! We watched DVD’s, ate pizza, and made s’mores in a drizzle. What a great night!

Day 4, Sunday, May 19: We woke up to more rain so we decided to take the kids to meet their parents in Floyd, VA. We were hoping to take a hike on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway but again, the weather didn’t cooperate. As it turned out, I’m glad it rained. We really enjoyed the Sunday Jam Session at the Floyd Country Store.

Floyd Country Store in Floyd, VA

Sunday Jam Session at the Floyd Country Store

Enjoying the music at the Floyd Country Store

Jam Session at Floyd Country Store

These guys could really play!

I never saw a blonde fiddle before

Loved their music!

Listening to a jam session at the Floyd Country Store is a great way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon in Southwestern Virginia. You can read about our experience on our daughter’s blog entry Indoor Appalachian entertainment at the Floyd Country Store.

Day 5, Monday, May 20: A day of housekeeping, grocery shopping, and a final visit with family. We said our goodbyes after our granddaughter’s swim team practice. We’re going to miss them!

We didn’t let a little rain spoil our fun!