Making The Best Of It: Camp LeJeune Edition

I drove down to Camp LeJeune end of July 2013. I welcomed my new husband to our new home after not seeing him for 6 months while he finished his time being stationed in Okinawa.

Before moving here, I only heard the negatives about Jacksonville and Camp LeJeune. No one had positive things to say. That makes one a little more anxious about moving to a new state. But I've been taught, your attitude determine's everything in life. You can go into new situations with a bad attitude and you will hate it. Or you can "Bloom where you're planted!" like my grandmother has always said to all of her children and grandchildren.

Honestly, I didn't care where we lived. I was just thrilled over the fact that I actually got to be a 'real' wife and live with my husband. Finally! Jacksonville is the place where we finally got to enjoy the married life and experience so many new & unfamiliar obstacles: good and bad. I wouldn't trade our experience here for anything. Sure, I'd love to live in California, Hawaii, or Germany! But that wasn't what God had planned for us.

So we've made the best of it here!

Before, I heard the base was right on the water. I'm thinking a easy 10 minute drive from the house. I've never been to a base before, I had no idea the base housing we lived on wasn't even connected to the main base. The beach on base (Onslow Beach) is a 35-40 minute drive if you live off base. Thats about the same distance as going to any of the local beaches. So we have also visited two other beaches nearby: Emerald Isle and Top Sail. I don't know about you guys, but we love the beach. I do more so than Jaime whereas I could stay from 10-4 (sun time) and be perfectly content. Jaime would rather we stay 2 or 3 hours and go do something else. Regardless, we've put in some hours enjoying the beaches this area has to offer!

 Sometimes the ride to the beach is just as fun.

Going for a evening stroll on Emerald Isle after dinner.

Emerald Isle

Top Sail

The base alone as some free or very inexpensive activities to do! One Sunday afternoon we went kayaking! I've only kayaked in the ocean but never in the bay or a river. Way easier in case your wondering! We had the best time! We heard about it through word of mouth but I'm sure you can ask your husband's unit's FRO or go to here for more information. Trying to get this picture was difficult but worth it!

Kayaking on base

I cook most our meals but we have gotten out to explore a couple local restaurants near Emerald Isle that you must try. In this picture we ate at Ballyhoo's Island Grill. Their seafood was great! We've also ate breakfast at The Village Market in Emerald Isle; I love their omelets and coffee. There are a couple restaurants downtown Swansboro that we must try before we move! And of course, if you're in Cape Carteret, go eat frozen yogurt at the Fuzzy Peach--a wonderful local family owns and runs it.

I am a runner and I have some of the best views here on base! There are plenty of sidewalks all over to get those long or short runs in. I've ran on the beach,  on ice/snow, and on everything in between. No matter the weather, the view is always pretty! To help you find some trails for running, biking, family strolls in this area and its surrounding: click  TRAILS !

Jacksonville-Camp LeJeune Rail-to-Trails

Yes, that is ice forming on the bridge.

Felt like Snow White with all the wildlife coming out to cheer me on during my run. Deer--middle left.

Onslow Beach-Camp LeJeune

Emerald Isle Half Marathon May 2014

You are also close to major cities and attractions you can do in a long weekend. I've been to Washington D.C.; my husband did some training nearby for two weeks so in between those weeks, I drove up and spent two nights. We went to some museums, the zoo, and drove around all the monuments. 

National Museum of the Marine Corps-Quantico, VA

Smithsonian's National Zoo

I went to Myrtle Beach for a couple days while family was there. It's a quick drive with lots of places to eat, outlets to shop, and sights to see.

North Myrtle Sunrise

Just horse'n around.

I've also been to Savannah, GA for my first Marathon. That city has so much to offer and I can't wait to go back to explore more.

Historic District of Savannah

Forsyth Park Savannah, GA

There are two larger cities relatively close that are worth the drive: Raleigh and Wilmington! My husband took me to Raleigh to the outlets for our first wedding anniversary. It was nice to be in a big city that had any store you could think of. He also surprised me with a picnic lunch on the side of the road!

We've gone to Wilmington several times! There have more stores & restaurants and for a 45 minute drive, it's worth it to us! We've had lunch on the water & got to walk all over downtown. It's a cute historic city! You must come at least once while you are here! I think there are places around here where some movies/tv shows have been filmed. That would always be a fun thing to do with the girls!

So moral of this post: Being stationed at Camp LeJeune is what you make it to be. You get so much more joy making the best of your situation. Even I felt a sense of excitement by living here while I wrote this post! There's no question that I'm excited to go back to Kentucky but not because I hate it here. I have loved the memories we made/are making here.

Don't let those Negative Nancy's drag you down, you've got a fun life to live while you're here!