Base Living

This summer I ended up by two of the military bases that I lived on as a kid. Camp Pendleton near San Diego and Camp Legeune in North Carolina.

I only have brief memories of Camp Pendleton but Camp Legeune was a big chunk of my childhood.

Because of it’s unique location, tucked right up against the Atlantic Ocean, it was an ideal location to be a kid.

And i remember it all.

My fave horse at the base stables was named Tripoli. He was big and gentle and pretty silver/gray.

The winter trips to beach with my school to do hands on marine study, standing on the shore watching the dolphins play in the water. Always more active when the beaches were empty

Swimming at the Officer’s club.

Hanging off the pier at the inlet behind our house, taking string to tie up chicken bones to try to catch crabs. They would always grab on but were smart enough to let go before we could pull them out.

Our house was an old probably 1930’s ish colonial. White with blue shutters that had big trim and swinging doors. The screened porch was converted into a full year room so it only had a tiny one out back by the maids quarters, that no longer housed a maid.

I loved that house so much, a few years later I made my parents paint my doll house to match.

This is not my old house, but similar.

But let’s get back to the beach

When we were just down at Topsail, I saw so many signs for Onslow County Parks and beach access points. So weird to jet back in time. Austin is determined to step foot on that base, his plan is to get my dad down there to get him on.

I hope he gets his wish!

(pics from flickr)

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elisa

3 COMMENTS

  1. Ginky John | 24th Oct 11

    Lou, you know, of course, that Ginky and I have not been back to CLNC since the day of the Change-of-Command Ceremony. That seems like a hundred years ago. Maybe Austin and I can visit CLNC when Cole gets out of boot camp and is stationed there. If Blake gets the pasture mowed he may want to go with us. I’m assuming Eva will still be in soccer camp in preparation for the summer games in Brazil.

  2. Angie | 24th Oct 11

    My sister is married to a Marine and spend 5 years at Camp Lejeune. I remember spending 2 weeks there. It was a beautiful base. I remember the beach and how in awe I was that it was an entire community all to itself. I know she misses it greatly now that she’s back home.

  3. Pam | 24th Oct 11

    Hey, I have been following your blog for awhile, as well as being a customer. But I just had to leave a comment when this post about Camp Lejeune got my attention. I now live in NW Ohio (2 1/2 hrs from columbus) but I too have lived on base at Lejeune. I lived there twice among all the moving around we did as a career Marine family (dad was in for 24 years).I started high school in CA being stationed at Camp Pendleton, then we were transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC. Which is where I worked at the PX and the Officers Club and Graduated from Lejeune High. Onslow beach on base was the best, most beautful beach being so natural without all the commercial stuff you have off of a military base. I still go back every 5 years for our High School Reunions, and have the best memories of Lejeune and NC. thanks for sharing.

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