Labor Day Weekend at Surf City, North Carolina

UPDATE 8/30/19: On our visit in July 2019 due to recovering from Hurricane Florence damage in 2018 – the public bathroom was closed as well as the playground. However, you can use the bathroom located in the small convenient store (Friendly Mart) across the street.

On a continued quest to visit many North Carolina beaches on weekend day trips – this Labor Day weekend we hung out in Surf City on Topsail Island. As for our weekend, it kicked off with a fiery start – literally.

The Fire

We left home around 4am Saturday for our road trip to the beach when driving for only a couple of minutes, we spotted a big, fiery red glow rising into the sky. I asked Meshach if we should check it out assuming someone was just burning trash (they do that around here) so as we detoured around the corner we were faced with a house engulfed in flames!

Meshach pulled over while I went into full-blown panic mode. I frantically dialed 911 and reported the fire. We didn’t see anyone outside of the home. He hopped out the car and ran to the neighboring house to alert them about the fire next door which by that point had flames flying into the neighbor’s yard.

The neighbor told him it’s an abandoned home, no one has lived there in years but they were getting out of there just in case it spreads (which means luckily no one got hurt or killed because that fire – it was crazy and I wouldn’t expect survivors from it!) It was the very first time any of us had seen a home on fire and guys, it is such an eye opener!

No matter where you are or live, it is very important to know how you will exit a place in case of fire. It is no joke! We could hear the crackling of the fire and feel the heat of it with our windows up even at a safe distance. It’s HOT!

Where is the Humanity?

What boggled my mind was watching a couple of cars nonchalantly driving around our car (with our hazard lights on) and didn’t pull over to see if anyone was okay.

Maybe they dialed 911 after passing up the home? I don’t know, but you’d think someone would stop and ask if anyone needs help, you know? I mean, you just can’t ignore a home in flames with people standing outside, right? 

Is the world really lacking good Samaritans or am I jumping to conclusions?

Sunrise at Surf City

After making sure everyone was okay, we hit the road again on our way to Surf City for our day trip. We made it just in time for sunrise.

I recall complaining about our last visit to Surf City a few years ago, but this time it was pretty impressive.

Sunrise is the best time to see its beach in all its glory. I love how the pink and purple sky seemed to dance together creating a dreamy morning view. I think I actually liked this sunrise better than Wrightsville (gasp!)

Lazy Beach Day

To be honest, we were so lazy on this beach day. I even took a nap under the umbrella later that morning and I never do that!

The sound of the ocean can be very persuasive.

Meshach’s coworker and his family were in town that weekend so they met with us at the beach to let the kids play together. They told us about the must eat 5 for $5 hot dogs at a convenience store called Friendly Mart so we ate that for lunch. It was across the street from the beach access so we didn’t have to pack everything up just to grab hot dogs to go.

I sent Meshach to pick them up while I stayed behind.

Things to Know

Surf City is located on Topsail Island in North Carolina. It built up a lot since we were last there. There are shops, lots of dining options, fast food restaurants, hotels, it’s really turned into a vacation destination.

We parked at the Nelva R. Albury Recreation Area which has a playground, public beach access, restrooms, outdoor showers and FREE parking! Here is the address for your GPS:

213 Broadway St, Surf City, NC 28445

Just make sure you get there early like we did (6am) – the parking lot and streets were packed by noon – including the beach.

Before I go – here are a few more shots from our trip!

Where have you seen your most favorite sunrise? Comment below and share this post!

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