mightymighty2stroke
I'd rather be on the lake
- Location
- LKN, NC
I spoke with a lot of new faces at Wave Daze who expressed interest in coming to the CaroBeach ride, so I thought it would be nice if those of us who have been before could chime in with some first timer tips, helpful things to bring, etc. Feel free to add!!
Tips:
- Freeman park is awesome - it's meant for camping only, there are no hotels on the beach. As Scotty's posted before, you need 4x4 to get on/off the beach (not just a suggestion, it's required or they won't let you on). Bring everything you plan on bringing to minimize trips into town. IMO it's a pain to get from where we camp back into town, we're kind of far out on the beach and the super thick sand makes for slow going.
- There are several groupings of porto johns out on the beach. I would recommend spending the $ on a camping toilet, or 5 gallon bucket with a lid to make it easier, depending on where exactly you set up camp you may end up giving yourself a good walk to the john. Also, the first year I went (wasn't the free ride then just beach camping with friends) they did not clean the porto johns for a long time and they were unusable (seriously, the poo level was actually above the toilet seat, I didn't think that was possible but it is).
- bring your own TP in case the johns run out
- There are no showers/nice bathrooms on the beach itself, you need to bring your own water/camping shower. Bring more water than you think you will need as you go through it fast. I use one of the cheap camping showers from the outdoor stores, I fill it with water in the AM and leave it out all day to warm up and it's not so bad.
- Be mindful of the tide when you set up your camp!!
- Dogs are allowed, they must be on a leash. Please don't be that guy with the loose dog that pees on everything.
- If you want to have a fire they ask that you bring a fire container or burn barrel - though they haven't enforced this any time I've been there. You have to take all of your extra firewood/debris
with you when you leave.
- No glass bottles/containers
- They get seriously pissed if they catch you on the dunes past the ropes, I saw several tickets written last year.
- If you value your beauty sleep, bring ear plugs. Between our crowd and the other people camping, the noise doesn't usually die down until 5am, and then the sea gulls start yammering at sunup. Last year there were rednecks doing sand burnouts at 3am... just warning you.
- We usually bring a towel/mat/astroturf for the front of the tent, and a kitty litter pan filled with water is helpful to dip your feet into before getting in your tent to help with the sand...but...
- Accept the fact that you will have sand in your ass crack all weekend. In fact, when you first arrive and set up camp, go ahead and take a handful of sand and just throw it in your tent, embrace it!!!
- If you need ice, there are several little 'ice stores' on the way into the beach. They are unattended little white shacks, and you can buy ice in bulk (comes out of a chute). It's super cheap.
- There is also a Wal Mart on the way to the beach. We usually do our grocery shopping there, less stuff to pack/haul. We have also left cars parked there for the weekend - while several people drive down, we leave their cars there and they hop in the bed of the trucks/etc to get onto the beach since cars/2WD is not allowed on it.
- Do not beach your skis or ride close to shore at anywhere besides the north end where we camp. The po po get really mad. As far as I know we don't 'own' that area like the area at Wave Daze - there are often kids/people swimming/fishing/etc in that area too so be prepared.
- If you see a red Polaris Octane hood, let me know. We lost it (and almost the ski) in 2011. LOL.
Tips:
- Freeman park is awesome - it's meant for camping only, there are no hotels on the beach. As Scotty's posted before, you need 4x4 to get on/off the beach (not just a suggestion, it's required or they won't let you on). Bring everything you plan on bringing to minimize trips into town. IMO it's a pain to get from where we camp back into town, we're kind of far out on the beach and the super thick sand makes for slow going.
- There are several groupings of porto johns out on the beach. I would recommend spending the $ on a camping toilet, or 5 gallon bucket with a lid to make it easier, depending on where exactly you set up camp you may end up giving yourself a good walk to the john. Also, the first year I went (wasn't the free ride then just beach camping with friends) they did not clean the porto johns for a long time and they were unusable (seriously, the poo level was actually above the toilet seat, I didn't think that was possible but it is).
- bring your own TP in case the johns run out
- There are no showers/nice bathrooms on the beach itself, you need to bring your own water/camping shower. Bring more water than you think you will need as you go through it fast. I use one of the cheap camping showers from the outdoor stores, I fill it with water in the AM and leave it out all day to warm up and it's not so bad.
- Be mindful of the tide when you set up your camp!!
- Dogs are allowed, they must be on a leash. Please don't be that guy with the loose dog that pees on everything.
- If you want to have a fire they ask that you bring a fire container or burn barrel - though they haven't enforced this any time I've been there. You have to take all of your extra firewood/debris
with you when you leave.
- No glass bottles/containers
- They get seriously pissed if they catch you on the dunes past the ropes, I saw several tickets written last year.
- If you value your beauty sleep, bring ear plugs. Between our crowd and the other people camping, the noise doesn't usually die down until 5am, and then the sea gulls start yammering at sunup. Last year there were rednecks doing sand burnouts at 3am... just warning you.
- We usually bring a towel/mat/astroturf for the front of the tent, and a kitty litter pan filled with water is helpful to dip your feet into before getting in your tent to help with the sand...but...
- Accept the fact that you will have sand in your ass crack all weekend. In fact, when you first arrive and set up camp, go ahead and take a handful of sand and just throw it in your tent, embrace it!!!
- If you need ice, there are several little 'ice stores' on the way into the beach. They are unattended little white shacks, and you can buy ice in bulk (comes out of a chute). It's super cheap.
- There is also a Wal Mart on the way to the beach. We usually do our grocery shopping there, less stuff to pack/haul. We have also left cars parked there for the weekend - while several people drive down, we leave their cars there and they hop in the bed of the trucks/etc to get onto the beach since cars/2WD is not allowed on it.
- Do not beach your skis or ride close to shore at anywhere besides the north end where we camp. The po po get really mad. As far as I know we don't 'own' that area like the area at Wave Daze - there are often kids/people swimming/fishing/etc in that area too so be prepared.
- If you see a red Polaris Octane hood, let me know. We lost it (and almost the ski) in 2011. LOL.
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