Enjoying North Carolina

Al on top of mast

Biking River Dunes Community

Once in the beautiful River Dunes marina I would have liked to sit around the swimming pool and just relax, but chores had to be done first. These included; four loads of laundry which took 4 hrs. due to dryers that were not working the best, defrosting the freezer, washing the salt off the boat and cranking Al up the mast to retrieve the broken wind machine and wind index.  Yes, Arleen cranked Al up the 61 ft. mast with only the assistance of a male on a nearby boat to tail the line and safety lines!  (I hate to ask someone who you do not know their health history to crank.  I rather not have to give CPR!)  Al planned ahead and borrowed the courtesy car and went into Oriental and purchased a new windex. He retrieved the broken equipment and put up a new windex all in one trip up the mast.  After the work out on my arms doing all that cranking, I felt I better balance it out with a work out for my legs, so we went for a bike ride around the River Dune community.   

River Dunes Marina and Community

Lots of roads but not many houses just like 2 yrs. ago, so I don’t think the housing community took off liked they had hoped.  It is a shame because it is a beautiful area.

Al taking it easy in the cabana

 

After doing some research overnight, Al luckily found a repairman in Florida who thought he could fix the vintage 1985 wind machine.  Then it was finding a box to fit the item to ship it off.  Al thought perhaps Pat at Inland Waterway Provision Co. where he bought the windex could help and he did. He went out of his way to help us which we appreciated.  We found the same kind of service at the local post office and finally got it sent off.  While in town, we found Carl and Marilyn on Discovery at the free two slip dock where they had been working putting some new equipment on.   Finally, that afternoon we got to enjoy the pool area just sitting and resting and enjoying the beautiful scenery at River Dunes. 

We planned to leave tomorrow to go up the Neuse River to New Bern for the Mumfest.  However, in talking to our boat neighbors, Al & Lisa on Transformula who had helped us earlier, they said they were driving there and would we rather go by car.  They had been up to the marina before and said that it can be quite exposed depending on the wind direction and they were calling for a very windy day.  Al and I made I rather quick decision and said we would love to take them up on their offer.  Lisa, said they were planning on meeting friends for dinner so they would not be leaving until 8:30pm but Al and I thought that would not be a problem.  

Tryon Palace in New Bern, NC

            

We arrived in New Bern around 10:15am and they parked the car at a friend’s home near Tryon Palace which was the first place we wanted to go.  The gardens were free to the public during Mumfest so we toured them.  We later regretted not touring the actual Palace but if we get there again, we will have something to do.   The house, built between 1767 and 1770 by Governor William Tryon became North Carolina’s first official capitol and was one of the most talked-about public buildings in the American colonies. 

Formal garden at Tryon Palace

 The grounds were very well kept and the formal garden was lovely.   

Beautiful Morning Glory

 Probably the most entertaining thing we saw was the Purina Incredible Dog Show.  Dogs leaped through the air catching Frisbees, doing flips and other tricks.

He has 3 Frisbees in his mouth!

225 ft. SeaFair - an art gallery on water

A 225 ft. yacht called Seafair was at the dock.  It was huge next to the other boats near it.  You pay $15pp for the privilege of touring the art gallery and to see the boat and purchase art if you would like.  Al said none of the art would fit on our boat so why go.  Needless to say it was looked at from afar.   

Al checking out the in laid wood kayaks

There were other interesting things to see: the Silver Drummer Girl who looks like a statue until you put money in the bucket, then she plays the drum for you, a cow playing the drums,

A cow playing the drums!

 juggler/daredevil, dancers, bands, craft stands, car show, outdoor show where Al checked out the beautiful inlaid kayaks, a farmer’s market where I met a friendly alpaca and whatever kind of fried greasy fattening food you wanted.   

Arleen with a new political friend.

 What I found interesting was it is called Mumfest. I thought I would see mums galore.  Wrong!  I had to look for some.  There were more at the hardware store in town than anywhere else!  Since the day was going to be a long one, we tried to pace ourselves and luckily found the convention center around 3:30pm where there were some comfortable chairs just in time for a rest!  We had dinner at a restaurant called Chelsey’s and were very pleased with the great meal.  To use up time we went to the local coffee shop for some dessert and of course, coffee.  Finally we walked to the car. They said if they were not there, to just sit on the porch, which we did.  It was a warm night so it was very pleasant.  Al and Lisa came by fifteen minutes later and we were off to the boats in Oriental.  It was a very long day but it was fun and we are glad we did it.

The next day was a total change in scenery, and what beautiful scenery it was.   

Cape Lookout lighthouse.

 We motored to Cape Lookout which is a national seashore park.  You are out there where there is just miles of sand, dunes and surf and a beautiful lighthouse. This is located near Beaufort, NC.  Discovery was there when we pulled in and Tilt also pulled in later.  We put our dinghy in the water and went for a walk on the beach.  That night we had another wonderful sunset. 

Endless beach at Cape Lookout

Sunset at the Cape

 The next morning was dead calm.  The only ripples on the water were made by the fish jumping.  We motored over to the lighthouse and toured the lightkeeper’s house and walked over to the oceanside.  I just love this spot and could spend more time here.  Later we gathered for Happy Hour on Blue Heaven and had made “Banana Salsa” which was a big hit.  (If you want the recipe let me know)  As the day continued into night, the wind picked up and we had a very uncomfortable night sleeping.   

Sunrise leaving Cape Lookout and into the ocean.

Neither of us knew when we finally fell asleep but we were up at 5:30am to be off for our sail to Wrightsville Beach out in the ocean. The sunrise was beautiful as well as the cloud formations as we left the anchorage. 

Beautiful clouds

The winds were strong but in the right direction.  Al had shortened sail by putting a double reef in the mainsail and we are glad he did.  We zoomed along (6.5-7.5k) and found out later from Marilyn on Discovery who was also out there, that the winds were not the 15-20 kts. as predicted but more like 20-25 with gust to 30-35.  Since our wind machine is being repaired we had no idea, and I am glad.  I probably would have been frightened knowing and am not sure that we would have gone out.  After lunch the winds lowered to the point that we put on our motor to keep the speed up to get in before 6pm which we did and anchored off of Wrightsville Beach.

We slept in to 8:30am so I guess we made up for the lack of sleep the night before.  It was just a lazy day to do whatever.  We did get off and walk and I kayaked and made “Shrimp Creole” with our fresh shrimp from the local seafood store.  We decided to move on so that we are closer to Calebash Creek for Friday.  We will be going in to Myrtle Beach Yacht Club for the weekend to visit with friends from home who are in a condo there.