While on our vacation to Ocean City, Wesley and I decided to go on a day trip to Poplar Branch, North Carolina, a mere 398 mile round trip excursion.
A couple days before leaving on our annual Ocean City, Maryland vacation was I was seeking out sights to see in and around Virginia Beach. As much as I love going to Ocean City and revisiting some fantastic places, I truly enjoy seeking out new places to see and explore.
While searching that Virginia beach area I stumble across Digger's Dungeon the home of the world famous Grave Digger Monster Truck. I recall years ago, at least 20, learning that Dennis Anderson has set up a destination for fans to come and see the original Grave Digger monster trucks similar to what Bob Chandler had done for the Bigfoot monster truck in Pacific, Missouri.
The direct drive from the Condo to Digger's Dungeon was 3.5 hours, that's a damn big chunk of time. I asked Wesley, he was on board, mentioned it to Kate, she had no interest but said "you and Wesley have fun." I asked Addison and she said she and Kate would have a great day at the condo.
I eventually decided that I was going to make the drive and even made it make sense. If we were to every drive through North Carolina we would never go to the Outer Banks it's just too far out of the way unless we were staying in the area for multiple days, and I don't see that happening.
I contacted Digger's Dungeon to ask what was the best day to visit, they responded Monday and Thursday as the crowds are less and everything is open those days. I decided on Monday because I didn't want to do a long drive so close to when we head home.
Wesley and I hit the road just before 6am, there was only a few mile stretch of Interstate in mainland Virginia that we drove on however, almost all of the other roads were expressways where we could easily drive 60 miles per hour on double lane roads, it made the drive better.
We crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel which is 17.6 miles from shore to shore to get to mainland Virginia. There are 3 sections of bridge and two tunnels. The tunnels are so the ships can sail through.
In Virginia Beach we stopped right off of route 13 at Waffle House for breakfast.
Wesley was pumped to eat there, neither of us had ever been to a Waffle House before. He said that he had to get waffle, and he did with chocolate chips, and he smothered it in butter and syrup, said it was a 10 out of 10.
I got the Waffle House Favorite, two egg breakfast, it was fantastic! The waitress gave us paper hats and took our photo. It was a great stop after a 2.5 hour drive.
Next stop was on the agenda was Digger's Dungeon, but when we crossed into North Carolina we had to stop at the Border Station store where the state line ran right through the store.
Straight away, we did not meet and of the Anderson family that drive's the Grave Digger truck, not that I expected to, but you never know. I've been a monster truck fan since I was a kid and Grave Digger is in my top 3 along with USA-1 and Bigfoot. I've been lucky enough to see all 3 of them perform in the past but have never seen and Anderson drive a Digger truck but did see Pablo Huffaker and Charlie Pauken drive the two times I saw the truck race.
Digger's Dungeon is a complex of the museum, snack shack with trucks kids can drive, a diner, and a monster truck ride. Right out front of the complex is a a Digger truck standing on it's front tire, so eye catching as you drive by how could you not stop!
The museum cost $10 for adults, $5 for kids and it isn't large, but it's full of so much history that it's captivating. The museum houses the original Grave Digger mud truck the Grave Digger 1 monster truck, Grandma Grave Digger, and Grave Digger 2, and many more artifacts. Numerous fiberglass panels through out, plus banners, posters, merchandise, trophies galore, racing suits, and so much more! There is history in every nook and cranny.
I'll post all the photo's below, here is a video I posted on YouTube: Quick Tour of Digger's Dungeon
The merchandise area, I wasn't very impressed with, I was hoping for some Digger's Dungeon exclusive die cast truck or something but it was all standard Monster Jam merch. They did have a few things to the shop like stickers, shot glasses, a frisbee and a shirt that I just didn't care for. I was really hoping for a pin or that exclusive die cast.
After we toured the museum we walked over to OBX Monster Truck Rides passing Little Digger's Snack Shack and Digger's Diner on the way. The dirt parking areas for all 4 places are connected.
We went on a monster truck ride truck before at a rally inside the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, and they have limited space so they just race around the dirt and do donuts. This ride was nothing like that one at all! The monster truck ride is only $10 and you sit in the back of the ride truck as it goes over dirt mounds, a school bus, and even onto a trail that runs through the woods.
Initially Wesley didn't want to go on the ride as the one in Bangor was not fun for him, hell it wasn't fun for me, but this one is so unique because you would have to go to place that has a permanent set up like this on to experience it. Also the $10 price point was cheaper that the previous ride.
Wesley did go on the ride and he loved it stating he wanted to go on it 1,000 more time. After the ride Wesley went to Little Digger's Snack Shack and got milk shake to cool down.
We started the journey back to the condo making a few stops along the way at a couple famer's market getting fresh local peaches, tomato's and cucumbers for what I hope will be amazing cucumber and tomato sandwiches.
Wesley and I stopped at Chick-Fil-A getting dinner for everyone. It was a fantastic 11 day driving 398 miles round trip. Next year when we come back to Ocean City I wouldn't make the drive again specifically to go to Digger's Dungeon but if I was ever near there I would stop in. A guaranteed meeting with Dennis Anderson though, would get me to make the drive.
Here are some photos of the day:
.jpg)
Until Next Time!
