Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Charlie & Debbie

I Hate April Fool’s Day, But If You Don’t…

Avatar photo
Author Charlie & Debbie

There were two days in the spring that I HATED when I was growing up.  St. Patrick’s Day and April Fool’s Day were awful for me.  For the former, I’m not Irish, I never seemed to have anything green to wear, and therefore I got pinched A LOT.  I’m not a fan of being pinched.  And as far as April Fool’s Day, I was a hugely gullible kid.   I wanted to and would believe just about anything.  Consequently, I always ended up looking like a fool.  Now, as an adult I discovered the monetizing being a fool was good professionally, but as a kid, it just made me feel stupid.

Also, I work in a business that USED to put a priority on these two days like they were Christmas.  In this respect, St. Patrick’s celebrations don’t bother me.  I’m up for a good bar crawl wearing green as much as the next guy.  I learned St. Patrick’s Day is good for business (advertising).  And depending on where you want to pinch me? <g>  However, I’ve NEVER warmed to April Fool’s Day.

Now, it’s not as much a big deal as society has become SO LITIGIOUS that radio personalities are too fearful to do anything.  Lawyers don’t prank.  And their fees aren’t funny.  However, back in the day?  Creative minds behind the mic would spend months planning elaborate pranks to play on their listeners and cities.  Debbie once worked at a station that legit had a small Texas town believing that aliens had landed in a farmer’s field.  God only knows how many people would be looking for an ambulance chasing payday over mental angst caused by this today.  I always looked at April Fool’s Day on the air as I did as a child.  I hated feeling stupid, so why would I want to make my listeners feel that way purposefully?  So, in a way, I’m glad they’ve become a thing of the past (for the most part).

That being said, I get that a simple prank played on friends and family might be a source of great entertainment for you.  So, if you’re stumped for ideas, your boy is here for you.

List: Some Of The Best North Carolina Family Campgrounds For Spring

The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing. That means North Carolina camping season is ready to begin at many of our state’s campgrounds! Camping is an activity that the whole family can all agree on and enjoy. And we all know that is a rare thing in this age of portable electronic entertainment.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUzim3rr-AC/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=dd1c8981-0f24-4239-bdfa-38ba8250c93e

North Carolina is home to many unique and beautiful places to explore the outdoors, both in campgrounds and in the wild. There are a bunch of great spots, from State Parks to private campgrounds, to even your own backyard!

Camping has all sorts of benefits, and it’s almost certain to help your family.

“Simply put, camping is good for you, both in body and mind,” a Utah State University study said. “Benefits include relationship building, opportunities to learn and develop new skills, unplugging and getting away from screens, connecting with nature, stress reduction, and increasing physical fitness.”

And don’t be afraid if you are new to all of this. There are a number of great resources out there to help you get started with camping.

“The best way to learn to camp is to jump right in and try,” KOA said in this handy guide. “You may encounter a few bumps along the road, but it is important to remember that no camping trip ever goes exactly as planned. As long as you know the camping basics, the rest will become memories and experiences to help you grow each time you embark on another trip.”

Here are some of our favorite North Carolina campsites! Please add your favorites in the comments!

 

  • Turkey Quarter Campground & RV Park

    Do you prefer cabin camping? Stay with us 😊

    Posted by Turkey Quarter Campground and RV Park on Sunday, November 4, 2018

    A hop, skip and a jump outside of New Bern is The Turkey Quarter Campground and RV Park. Large, shaded sites, extremely private with full hookups, this campground is a true nature lover’s getaway. The owners are on-site and very knowledgeable about the surrounding areas.

  • Camp Clearwater

    Camp Clearwater is legendary for family camping and it’s not hard to see why! It has a very beachy, Kenny Chesney vibe with site types to accommodate any type of camper. With a year-round calendar packed with activities, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. Grandparents all the way down to the youngest family members have so many options to choose from for camping fun! Nearby wineries, water parks, and lakes offer up the promise of an epic weekend camping trip away ( or longer if you can!)

  • Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park

    We adore Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park! We have stayed at this campground many a time. With kid-friendly activities galore, an amazing splash park, and a well-stocked camp store, everything is ready for you to set up camp and enjoy your stay. We have made lots of camping friends here and the friendly, helpful staff completely set the welcoming vibe. They have cabin rentals, tent spots, and wonderful RV sites to choose from. Not to mention a fishing pond, golf cart rental, and clean bathhouses. It’s a great place to try if you are new to camping!

  • Joran Lake State Recreation Area

    Right up the road outside Raleigh, we have Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Jordan Lake is a nature lover’s paradise with large, wooded camping sites and a stunning lake open for kayaking and swimming. Also available are double-sized sites so you can keep the crew altogether, with lots of room for extra friends, family, and fun! Don’t forget your kayak!

    Jordan Lake North Carolina Campgrounds

    Trees highlighted by low winter sun reflected in Jordan Lake North Carolina

  • Jerniman's

    Tonight's special is Hamburger Steak or Country Fried SteakMashed potatoes, collards, brunswick stew, butter beans, or corn on the cob

    Posted by Jerniman's on Thursday, July 15, 2021

    If the beach is your vibe, check out Jerniman’s in Ocracoke, NC.  You have to catch a ferry to reach this campground, and that only adds to the adventure! Located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, it’s a great way to enjoy the campground in the Outer Banks.

  • Mountain River Family Campground

    From the beach to the mountains, we head to Mountain River Family Campground! Thirty-five miles outside of Boone, NC, and convenient to several North Carolina wonders such as Linville Caverns, Blowing Rock, and Grandfather Mountain this is a campground worth checking out!

  • If All Else Fails….Backyard Camping!

    With gas prices soaring, Backyard camping is about to be a popular option! It’s also a great way to practice camping of you are a newbie. Spice it up with a date night theme like these tik tokers. Enjoy and happy camping!

    @its_amanda24

    He blew me away with this backyard camping date night - felt like something on #Pinterest #datenight #camping #movie #georgia #relationship #heaven

    ♬ Heaven - Kane Brown

Charlie Nance is the Afternoon Drive co-host (along with his wife) of "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The couple have been with the radio station since 2006. Charlie has won the prestigious CMA (Country Music Association) Award for Radio Personality of the Year and has been a finalist for the Country Radio Hall of Fame four times. Prior to his time in Charlotte, Charlie (along with Debbie) spent more than a decade hosting successful morning radio shows in Greenville, SC; Augusta, Ga; and Birmingham, Al. As a content creator for Country 1037, Charlie writes about dream lottery windfalls, sports, restaurants and bars, and travel experiences in North and South Carolina.

Get The Country 103.7 All Access Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Enjoy the latest country music, entertainment, and local stories, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Avatar photo
Author Charlie & Debbie
Category:
Tags:
,,

More Country 103.7

Load More