Schlitterbahn New Braunfel, Texas...the BEST Water Park EVER!

This is the tower that will get you up for the best water coaster EVER.  It's called the Master Blaster at the Blastenhoff section of the park.  This is the same tower for the Black Knight and the Wolfpack.

A view of Master Blaster, they say it's been voted the best water coaster in the world.  It has water jets that hit the back of the raft and your back to push you up hill.  This ride takes one full minute to reach the bottom.

The Original Schlitterbahn.  Lots of rafting rides.  The clean and cool water comes from natural springs.

My kids having a blast on the Downhill Racer at the original Schlitterbahn.

Waiting in line for the Hillside ride.  The lines looked long, but they moved fast.  This was a fun, easy, and relaxing ride.

Sarah doing surfing moves on Boogie Bahn.  There were some people that were just amazing with their trick abilities.  We were just happy to be able to ride and stay in place.


Han's Hideout.

Top of Blastenhoff.


Cooling off with some Dip'N'Dots.  Bring a cooler and set it on a picnic table, and come back later to eat.  This is a chilled place and someone stealing your stuff is low.



Schlitterbahn, New Braunsfel, Texas (The BEST!)

This summer the kids and I took a trip to Schlitterbahn in New Braunsfel, Texas.  New Braunsfel is about 20-30 minutes from San Antonio.  They say everything is bigger in Texas, well in this case I would agree.  Schlitterbahn is absolutely the biggest and best water park we had ever been to.

To say this place was huge is a massive understatement.  This was three separate water parks, and you had to take a free tram through town to get to the other sections.  There are three distinct sections, The Original Schlitterbahn, Blastenhoff, and Surfenburg.  This is the mother of all water parks.  You can stay there just like a resort.  They have rooms for rent, restaurants, shallow pool bars, lockers, and of course gift shops.

Park tickets run from $53.98 for adults, and $44.98 (3-11).  The park allows you to bring in your own cooler with food and drink, but do not allow alcohol.  You can purchase alcohol at one of the poolside bars.  Bringing in your own cooler saves a lot of money.

The Original Schlitterbahn: A lot of the rides here require an inner tube, or they will be body slides.  Most of the rides are very relaxing and easy.

Surfenburg:  This area has some good group tube rides as well as the ultra cool Boogie Bahn, which is as close to inland surfing as you're going to get in Texas.  There are also plenty of things for the younger kids, like the circular float pool with floating alligators.

Blastenhoff:  This area is for the thrill seekers.  It has the big group rides, Master Blaster, Wolfpack, and Black Knight.  The float pool here has wave action and is fast.  There is also a water play castle, park with working water cannons.

Schlitterbahn is an all day event.  The kids and I give it a huge two thumbs up.  Bring flip flops, towels, food, and drink.  Expect to have fun all day.  Expect to wait in some lines for the bigger rides.  We had to wait in line for 1 hour for the top rides, but it will be worth it. 

Advice:  Keep your cool sunglasses in the locker.  They might get knocked off and some rides won't allow them.  There is a lot of water pressure on some of the rides, so any little item in your pockets will get blown out.  The locker keys have an elastic strap to go around your ankle or wrist.  I think they might have had a safety pin to hook to your garment as well.  Use it!  They charge extra if you lose your locker key.

Buy the Schlitterbahn credit card.  This will save you the hassle of handling wet dollar bills.

Frisbee Golf...A Great Way To Enjoy The Day

Von misses an easy put at the Lake Wilson Frisbee Golf Course, Wilson NC.

Sarah prepares for her 2nd shot on a par 3.

Sarah throws a little too high for the basket on hole 6 at the Lake Wilson Frisbee Golf Course, Wilson NC.

Disc golf has been around for 36 years now.  It was invented by "Steady" Ed Headrick back in the day.  It is a huge college sport and its popularity is growing fast around the world with all ages.  This game is played just like regular golf, but using an inexpensive Frisbee.  Just hit the chains, "Cha Ching!" and that means you've finished the hole.

All the courses that I've played are public.  Most municipalities will have a disc golf course at one of their many parks.  There are no greens fees and a disc is relatively cheap ($6-$25).

Disc:  These Frisbees are smaller than what you would throw at the beach.  They will fly long distances.  The disc will come in different weights (grams).  There will be different edges, designs and logos on them.  Each weight and design will have a different flight characteristics.  Some people play with a huge bag of disk, but others just play with one. 

You can have two disc that are exactly the same in weight and design, but if one has nicks and cuts, it will fly differently.  On a rare occasion you might throw hard enough to hit a tree and the disc could break, so it's good to have a backup. 

Some people like to play with two disk, a putter and a driver.  The putter will not be as heavy, have rounder edges, float in flight, easier to control, and have a softer compound of plastic.

This sport is hugely popular with the college crowd.  It doesn't cost much.  You get exercise, and can bring a small cooler with your favorite beverage inside.  This game is also easy enough for young children to play.  My kids love to play a couple of holes, and it teaches them good hand eye coordination.  It is beautiful to watch a Frisbee in flight.

Course:  Some course will be relatively easy, par 3's.  Some will be difficult, but each hole will be different depending on elevation and the amount of obstructions in the way (trees).  It is good to understand your throw and you can manipulate the disc around the trees to get to the pin.

You might find some holes in a wide open field, a par 5, and this will require a very hard and accurate throw.

The hazard that I hate the most is water hazards because if it goes into the water, most of the time it means you've lost your disc.

Check and see if there are disc golf associations in your area, and if there are any matches.  I once played a match and witness the most amazing throw.  This was a par 3 hole.  You could not see the basket, and the hole curved slightly to the left.  The guy threw from the concrete tee, the Frisbee went to the right, then drifted sharply to the left.  The next thing we heard was the musical sound of "Cha Ching!"  It was a hole in one, and everyone erupted in cheers!  The guy was fist pumping the air..."Yeah baby!"

This sport is super fun, and I hope you can scrape up $6, go buy a disc, and go play a course.

"I'd like to go by throwing a Frisbee,
And throw round disc that float freely in an open field
Towards heaven, till the disc falls near the pin,
But gives me good positioning for my put.
That would be good both going and coming back.
One could do worse than be a thrower of Frisbees......."

Spanish Mackerel Fishing at Atlantic Beach, NC

Capt. Ronnie Boyd, looking for fish jumping, birds, and boats.  Keep your eyes open for signs of feeding Spanish Mackerel.


A nice cooler filling up with Spanish Mackerel.


Look at the size of this Spanish Mackerel.  Note the dark fin and the spots.

When the water warms up in the Spring and Summer.  It's time to go trolling for Spanish Mackerel.  This is a great eating fish and the creel limit is high (15 per person).  They will readily bite early in the morning and late in the evening, but can readily be caught any time of the day.

Our main tactic is to fish with four lines and troll slowly at about 800 to 1,000 rpm.  We will have two poles out, and two hand lines with planers to get the lure down to 5-10'.

The gear:

Two-hand lines directly behind the boat.  We get the 00 Clark Spoons down around 5-10 feet using a Sea Strike planer (SSP1).  You can find out more by looking them up on the proper line to use, length of line needed and how to set them.  When the fish strikes, the planer comes up and we reel the fish in by hand.  It is simple and effective.  Leave plenty of mono-filament or Fluorocarbon as a leader.  Make sure you're using a swivel.  Vanish Fluorocarbon makes the best leaders in my opinion.  Use about 25-30 feet of it.  Spanish have sharp eyes and they can see the line.

The two fishing rods will have ball bearing trolling sinkers on them to get the lure down.  Again use 25-30 ft of Vanish as a leader with swivels.  Get the lines out there.

Technique: 

When you get your lines out, make sure that they're far enough away from the boat.  Try using a gold spoon, silver spoon, green with flecks, or pink with flecks.  Take note of which ones you're catching fish on and the switch to that particular spoon color to catch more fish.  The fish might be very color sensitive.  This is the key to getting more fish in the cooler.

You want a GREAT Tip:  Spanish are not that heavy and are very toothy.  I throw them straight into the cooler with the line and lure.  Pull the line until the fish's head is sticking out, press the cooler lid on his head to get it to open its mouth.  Take the lure out, then release the cooler lid and the fish will be off the hook.

Throw the hook back into the water and catch more fish.  This is a great tip, and you will never have to get slime on your hands ever again.  We've gone out with four people and caught 30-60 fish in a day.  It's relaxing just bouncing around the boat, watching the lines. 

You don't have to be that far from shore to catch Spanish, and we're fishing in about 17' of water, and sometimes just a couple of hundred yards from the beach.  There is a high potential for "Combat Fishing" (hooking up with more than one fish at a time) because Spanish feed and travel in schools.

We look for fish jumping, seagulls, and other boats when we go out.  The Spanish will chase the bait fish to the surface and allow the birds to dive and feed as well.  When we do get fish, we slow down...make a large turn and troll through the area again.

Sometime we will stop the boat and throw Gotcha plugs into the bait balls and catch them on light-medium tackle, spinning rod & reels.  This is my favorite way to catch Spanish because I love fighting the fish on a rod and reel.

Additional Note:  If the fishing is slow or nothing is biting....you should pop open your favorite beverage or a beer.  It's almost a guarantee that if you pause long enough to refresh yourself with a cool drink....a fish will strike and you will need to get to work.  Well, this is the kind of work I don't mind.

Cooking:  The best way I like to eat Spanish Mac's are fillet and fried in House Autry Seafood Breader (medium spicy).  Nothing taste or smells like summer, like the smell of fish bubbling and frying in hot oil.  Happy holidays and good luck with your fishing adventures.

Indoor Skydiving at Paraclete SkyVentures in Raeford, NC

My kids with their certificates that they can indoor skydive.

Very excited and ready to go into the wind tunnel.

Von screamed like a little girl.

Sarah doing the flying squirrel.  All smiles.

We got an awesome deal on LivingSocial or Groupons for indoor skydiving at Paraclete SkyVentures in Raeford, NC.  This was absolutely one of the scariest things and most fun thing I'd ever done.  You get a class on how to fly your body.  They will provide a flight suit, goggles, and helmet.  You will get to fly for two minutes, which doesn't sound like a long time, but it is when you are flying.

The instructor will be in the wind tunnel with you the whole time.  This is an all age activity.  I saw 4-year-old kids as well as senior citizens flying and having an awesome time.

What To Bring:  A no fear attitude and some tennis shoes.  They have lockers and as you can see from the photos, they have bleachers for spectators.

What To Expect:  Keep you mouth closed!  Tie your shoes on tight.  The heavier you are the higher the wind speed required to fly you.  You will see a large digital readout of the wind speed and your time in flight.

I can't show you in the photo, but the wind tunnel is very, very high.  There is a wire mesh as a floor.  On your 2nd minute the instructor will ask you if you want to go high.  If you say yes, it will be the best ride of your life.  The test cell operator will bounce you up and down and you will literally be flying 20-40 feet in the air and then free fall drop, and then bounce back up high again.  It was scary, but fun at the same time.

You might get a chance to see some of the professionals practicing their maneuvers together.  It is like a flying ballet.  It is beautiful to watch.

This one is not for the faint of heart.  The kids and I give it a huge two thumbs up in the fun factor.  Check them out.  http://www.paracletexp.com/


Family fun with indoor skydiving.  Skydiving without the danger of jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Music Festival

What a super great time at Shakori Hills GrassRoots Music Festival.  Over 50 bands played.

I love Zydeco music from Louisiana!

The art of stacking rocks......hours of fun and simple entertainment.  Who needs expensive toys?

Main stage.....bring your own lawn chair and cooler.

Good times with good food, music, drink, and friends.

Dancing the night away for all ages.

A rocking good time.

Give out yee battle cry...and have some fun!

Doing it with style...that's the Wolfpack Girl!

Awesome times at the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Music Festival.

I'm a pretty spontaneous guy, and a couple of years ago an old college buddy of mine said we should go to the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Music Festival.  I had no idea what it was, but the kids and I are into camping, so we pack up our gear and head out to Pittsboro, NC.

To say that there was a lot of people there is an under statement.  I would equate this to a modern day, family friendly Woodstock, but better organized.  We parked one vehicle and then my friend, his young 4-year-old son, my two kids, and I piled into one truck.  We paid a one day pass and camping fee, and drove in to find a site.  They had prices for 1 night, 2 nights, and 3 nights as well.  I think for the whole 4-day event it's $75.  We were allowed to bring in our own coolers and food.

Our site was in an open field, with lots of other campers surrounding us.  It was tent city, a huge groovy community!  The Spring weather was beautiful for camping too.  After we'd pitched our tents, we had a chance go walk around and explore.  It was a pretty big area and there were sign post and maps to keep you from getting lost.  Some trails would lead us through the woods and there were campsites without cars in the shaded woods.

As we walked we could hear each camp site playing music, and every now and then I'd get a whiff of something I remembered from my college days.  No one did this in the open, and I was happy for that because we did have small children with us, but I'm just telling you this so there are no surprises.  This is very much a liberal culture you will be stepping into.

Some of the tent sites were decorated with Christmas lights or Chinese lanterns.  People were very creative in their make shift homes.  You could tell that some looked like professional campers.

If I remember correctly there were about 5 main stages, and more smaller (large tent) stages where musical performers played.  There were tons of little individuals tents sent up where vendors would sell hand made jewelry, art work, pottery, and clothes.  You will get a wide variety of music.  There were over 50 musical acts playing over the course of 4 days.  I heard deep south southern blues, Zydeco, country, rock, folk, etc.

There were neat little fields of artistic large carved wooden pieces.  Like beautifully painted wooden sculptures and totem poles.  There was an area in the open woods where you can practice the art of rock stacking.  My kids loved this simple play.

There were areas where you could do arts and crafts out of recycled materials.  Some stations had drums.  Adults and children a like could experience the pure pleasure of beating on a drum.  I think there were some booths where you could learn different crafts....weaving maybe?

There was an areas with an open barn where you could get food and beverages.  I remember having a great cup of coffee there in the morning watching the world wake up.  It went well with my whole grain muffin. 

There was a section that was the equivalent to an outdoor food court.  Each both had something different.  You could get vegetarian, to something from the Middle East, BBQ, Chinese to Greek Food.  There was a wide variety, and the quality was excellent.  Bring cash.  But I think I do remember that there was an ATM there....incredible as it sounds it was in the middle of the woods.

One of the things that really impressed me was the presence of EMS personnel for any kind of emergency.  Restroom accommodations will be port-o-potties, so don't be shocked. 

I remember there was an organized make believe sword battle as well.  My kids were given foamy swords and the organizers would make two groups of 20-30 kids, and they would go into battle having fun whacking each other harmlessly.  Little kids screaming battle cries.

My friend and I were prepared with our own lawn chairs and small coolers with our favorite beverages on ice.  It was just a fantastic time and it became even more mystical as the sun went down.  Huge trees were lit up with Christmas lights.  Everyone was having a good time, full of food and drink and listing to great music.  People were dancing the night away.

After the concerts, we'd walk back to our tent sites and pass people gathered around fires, drinking, talking, and playing acoustic guitars.  The organizers had fresh water tanks that were easily accessible around the area. 

In the morning there was a long line for the primitive outdoor shower.  The kids and I walked there in our flip flops, towels slung over our shoulders and holding our plastic bags filled with tooth brush, tooth paste, and soap. 

The water pressure was not that high....just a trickle really, but at least it was hot, and wet, and we could wash off and feel fresh and new again.  I would just like to add that it was a very wonderful experience and very family oriented.  The message of peace, love, and happiness was definitely out there.  All you have to do is be open to pick it up.  I'm not a hippie by any stretch of the imagination, but I pretended to be one for a day...and it wasn't that bad.

What to expect:  Expect to have a good time and be around people that are open minded.  Expect to see a friend or two.  You will see people there of all ages.  Expect to hear great music and see a lot of different acts.  Expect to see great arts and crafts, feel free and safe.

What to bring:  This is a camping event.  So take advantage of bring in your own food, ice, and drinks.  Bring extra toilet paper, bring lawn chairs, bug spray, and a happy and good attitude towards life.  Bring some cash, and possibly rain gear.

This is a huge...let's get back to nature 4-day event.  It is a big "Bang for the Buck."  In endorse it with two thumbs up.  Don't believe me?....ask my kids.  This festival happens twice a year, and gets bigger and better every year.  I've attached more info with their website down below.  Check it out.  Peace....out!

http://shakorihillsgrassroots.org/

"Combat" Fishing for Fresh Water Hawgs (Crappie)

My son, Von, with an nice mess of crappie caught in 40 minutes on a sunny Spring day.  We caught one fish every 5-6 minutes.  "Combat" fishing.

A nice mess of crappie.  The smaller ones measured 10" long, but the Hawgs "Slabs" measured 14-15" long.

Sarah with a nice "keepr" crappie.

A nice mess of fish for the frying pan caught in 1 hour.

Nice "Winter" Hawgs caught from Lake Wilson.  Lake Wilson is a very small lake, but look at what was there.

Nice big slab caught from the Tar River Reservoir.  This is about a 1.5 to 2 lb. fish. 

The pending North Carolina State Record White Crappie measuring 17 1/8 inches long, 15 inches in girth and, most important, weighed 3 pounds, 11 ounces, came from the Tar River Reservoir.  This place is 12 minutes from my house.

I am not going to claim that I am an expert at catching fish, but I've pulled in my fair share.  This article will focus on one particular species called Crappie.  This fish holds a seat as one of the best fresh water fish to eat....period.  I am passionate about catching them and will share my tips and techniques for "Combat" fishing.

Combat fishing is a term I picked up from my father-in-law, Capt. Ronnie Boyd.  We use this term when we have multiple hook ups while fishing for dolphin fish, kings mackerel, Wahoo, and Spanish mackerel in the ocean.  It's the excitement of having two to three fish on line and trying to get them into the boat...it is chaos with fish.

The name “Crappie” (pronounced CROP-ee) is derived from the French-Canadian word “crapet-soleil," meaning "sunfish." The genus name for both black and white crappie is Pomoxis, meaning “sharp gill cover."
Across the U.S., crappie have 25 or more regional or “nicknames”—probably more than any other fish. Among the more colorful names are slabs, papermouths, calico bass, specks, sac-a-lait (which roughly translates as "sack of milk"), lamplighter, timber perch and John Demon, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.  The funny thing is crappie are more closely related to bass than a sunfish, so they're really not sunfish at all.

Where to go:  The majority of waters throughout the U.S. will have crappie.  These fish are prolific in small ponds, rivers, and lakes.  I do not make a distinction and target both white and black crappie.

When to go:  For me the best time to fish for crappie is during the spawn, which is when the waters warm up in the Spring.  I've heard of people fishing for them year round, but I will pick my days.  If it is Winter, I will watch the weather and look for those few days when we have a warm front come through.  It seems to me that the fish are hungry and feeding during those short burst of warm weather.  Winter time has not been that productive for me.  I don't do the slow trolling or spider rigging.  When the water warms up into the mid-50's, you'll find me on the water targeting fish from 6'-1' deep.  Summer time is also a great time to target these fish in shallow waters.

What to use:  Use the lightest tackle possible.  5 lb. weight fly rod, cane pole, light action rod & reel with 4-6 lb. test.  My favorite tool to catch crappie is the 1/64 oz. jig hook with a wide variety of tube jigs, and an absolute must for me (my secret) Berkley Powerbait Crappie Nibbles.  It's always been said that big bait catch big fish.  This is true for crappie as well.  I've had success using large minnows fished under a cork, and this is one of my regular techniques.

The gear:  My go to rod and reel is going to be a light action rod, and small reel spooled with 4-6 lb. test.  I use a 7' rod because it allows me to cast farther with these little lures.  Crappie are small fish, and you want a sporting fight.  A crappie bite is very light and you will want a line that's as sensitive as possible to set the hook.  A light line also matches the sink rate of the 1/64 oz. jig.  Presentation is very important.

You can use a slip bobber to adjust the depth of the minnow.  I prefer a fixed bobber with a double hook crappie rig.  These can be bought at any bait and tackle and resemble a salt water surf fishing rig, but just a whole lot smaller.  You will be able to put two minnows at a time on a line with the rigs.

The technique:  One of the best ways to find out where the fish are out is to go out when the water is low and draw a map of the locations you see will hold fish.  This means noting down logs, tree stumps, and any other habitat that will hold the fish.  Don't forget ledges to main channels. 

When the waters are high, and the temperature is right...it's time to fish.  For me, I love to fish in the evening.  This is how I relax after work.  I will typically fish from 5:30 p.m. till it gets dark.  I've noticed that the bite turns on just 10 minutes before it gets dark.  I use the trolling motor, move, fan cast, in 5-6' of water.  Once I catch a crappie, I anchor up and start fishing the area.  I will use three poles, two live bait poles, and one jigging pole.

You will have to switch up as many colors as you can and figure out what the fish like.  Red/White, Red/Chartreuse/Black, Yellow/Green, are some of the colors that work in my area.  Always use the crappie nibbles on the end of the hook.  The scent attracts the fish, and it can mean the difference between going home with a mess of fish, or just a couple.

Have your live bait poles in the water.  Then slowly jig.  I will cast and then count one-thousand five times.  Once my line stops moving, I know the lure is on the bottom.  I gently raise my rod, a couple of turns on the reel, and let the lure gently drift back down again.  Repeat this until the lure is back to the boat....repeat.  If you see the line stop before hitting the bottom, a crappie has sucked it in.  They tend to strike while the lure is falling.  Set the hook gently, and be ready for a neat little fight.  The fish will run 3 or 4 times.  Maintain steady pressure, but not too much.  Always use the net on larger fish because we're only fishing with 4-6 lb. test.

Crappie are always looking up...remember that!  They will move from deep water to shallow in the evening.  These fish sense the slightest movement.  They use the sense of smell, and they bite gently....so set the hook gently.  They put up a great fight.

There has been many times that I will have two fish on at a time, or two poles with fish on them.  This is Combat fishing.  Be careful and work the fish because sometimes you will get a big catfish or bass that hit the minnow as well.

How to clean:  I use a very sharp and flexible fillet knife.  I wear gloves because the fish will be very slimy.  I start at the head, put the knife to the top of the rib cage and follow it all the way back, cutting on one side of the dorsal fin.  When I get past the ribs, I push the knife through to the bottom anal fin and work back to the tail in a sawing motion.  Flip the fillet back, keeping the skin to the tail.  Now run the knife between the fillet and the skin.  You should have a nice white boneless fillet.  Do the same on the other side.  There are some good videos on Youtube.com on how to do this.

Eat'n the darn thang:  I soak my crappie fillet in milk for 2 hours to a day.  Then I dredge the fillet through House Autrey Seafood Breader and pan fry in olive oil for 3-4 minutes per side on medium to medium high heat.  You will have a nice white flaky fish with a nice crunchy crust....it is absolutely heaven in every bite.  Chew slowly and enjoy your food.

I hope this writing will help those that love to crappie fish.

Lego Kids fest Raleigh NC

The United States of America represented with Legos.

Lots of great exhibits, games, food, etc. at Lego Kidsfest

Check out this huge Batman at Lego Kidsfest.

Lots of cool exhibits, classes, games, etc. for kids of all ages.   Tons of Lego's!


O.K. this wasn't exactly an outdoor event, but it will get you out of the house!  We went to kid's Lego heaven if there is one.  The Lego Kids fest had tons of things to do and would be an all day event.  It was great for little kids, but all ages enjoy building with Lego's.  They had tons of displays, games, master building classes, contest, and of course Lego's to buy.  Tickets were $20 for adults and $18 for kids, but WRAL had a promotion code when you bought on line and take took two dollars off each ticket.  So adults dropped to $18 and kids was $16, not a bad deal for an all day event.

Warrior Dash Huntersville NC 2011

Good "Clean" fun at the Warrior Dash 2011 in Huntersville, NC. 3.08 mile foot race with 12 obstacles, including mud pits, barbed wire, and jumping over fire.  What a great way to spend the day!


Donate your muddy shoes.  These will be cleaned up and given to kids without shoes in South America.  It's a great cause.


The last portion of the race is to crawl through red clay mud under barbed wire.


Don't fear the fire!


No showers, but there's a big hose so you can feel like a farm animal.


Participants getting into the "Warrior" spirit.


These ladies are ready to run the race...oh yeah!


Cold water and banana's at the finish line.

O.K., so you like a challenge and having fun.  We'll I've got a recommendation for you...it's called the Warrior Dash, and it's the easiest entry level type of race you can do.  This race is focused on fun, but you can get as serious as you want.  This is NOT the Spartan Death Race, or Tough Mudder.  You will not have to train for months, and you can walk the course if you want.  Men, women and kids can do this race.  A 69 year old woman and a 76 year old man did it, and so did approximately 10,500 other people of all shapes and sizes.

How much is it?  $55-$65, which is a bargain compared to other races.  Here's what you'll get: 1. a T-shirt, 2. a cool Warrior horned hat, 3. a free beer if you're 21, 4. a Warrior Medallion for completing the race, and 5. a race bib/a race timer chip, 6. the satisfaction of having fun, meeting new people, and getting dirty for a change.

What to expect:

Make sure you stretch and are hydrated because it will be hot.  The obstacles are harder than they look.  It would be good to make sure you can jog at least 3-miles.  The course will be through open fields, woods, up and down hills, through water, etc.  Work out on some of your upper body if you feel like you need it.  Expect to get dirty and on your hands and knees.  You can turn in your valuables at a keeper.  They'll put it in a bag and you'll get a number.  When you're soaked, and muddy, you just give them your number to get your clean clothes, car keys, watches, wallet, etc. that you put in the bag.

There will be plenty of beer, food, novelties, souvenirs, and a free hard rock concert (didn't think they'd play classical did yah?)  There's also a big screen TV to watch the participants crawl through the mud.  Photographers will be there to take photos and try and sell them to you at a later date.

This event is kids friendly, pet friendly, everything friendly.  Parking is $10, so don't forget to bring CASH.

Bear Island Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro, NC

Sunset at Bear Island, Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro, NC.


Kids at Bear Island, Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro, NC...this is a very isolated place and you have to get there by ferry (pontoon boat).


Primitive camping is allowed at reserved sights.  This area is better suited for backpack camping and not car camping.  Do not bring a lot of gear because it will be a long walk from the ferry site to your campground.  I'm talking about a mile or more hike, at least it felt that way to me hauling cookers, fishing gear, tents, coolers, lanterns, etc.


Some of the most uncrowded beach in NC, Bear Island.


Kids enjoying the ferry ride out to Bear Island from Hammock Beach State Park.

Bear Island...what can I say, there's not much there, the island is bare!  You will have to make a reservation with the NC State Park system for about $25.

You will catch a pontoon boat ferry from Hammock Beach State Park.  The park main building has a little museum and gift shop there.  The areas is protected from the ocean and most of it is marshland with tall grasses.  A great place to do some salt water kayaking and fishing.  If you had a small boat, jon boat, and such you could fish it here because the waters are calm.

You should catch things such as flounder, puppy drum, croakers, spots, and speckled trout.  You could even try crabbing or shrimping with a cast net.

Once you reach Bear Island, there are some showers and bathroom facilities there, but they are not the best.  There is a shelter at the dock site and an asphalt path to the beach side of the island.  There are no cars, boats, nothing but nature on the beach.  You will have to walk another 200 to 1000 yards to your campsite.

The campsites are on the other side of the sand dunes and are protected from the wind.  They will have picnic tables there and numbers.  A park ranger will come by and check on you 100%.  It is very, very beautiful and isolated.  At the east end of the island, you will find a ton of sea shells....lots, and lots of sea shells.

Bear Island is a magnificent place...magical almost, and it's such a great feeling to have a place like this that the public can enjoy that's completely undeveloped.  Get out there and enjoy it!  Bring a surf rod if you do.