Thursday, October 21, 2010
Well, Oriental was kind of a bust for us. The famous Oriental Marine Consignment Store was closed on Wednesday (October 20), so we’ll have to find another some day in the future. Went by Clancy’s Marina (Tim & Paula’s old haunt), had a Mocha Joe at The Bean (and used their free wi-fi) and spoke Outward Bound (Chris), a Nonsuch out of Barnstable, Massachusetts headed for the Abacos (we had met earlier in Elizabeth City). Wednesday was an intended lay day in anticipation of a front coming through. It did, about 6:30 pm. By then, the dinghy was up and we were prepared to leave. Thoughts of bigger fish to fry in New Bern were on our mind. Tess got a bunch of work done instead. Just a lay about afternoon.
Woke to fog today (Thursday), so wasn’t going anywhere soon. Worked on the Xantrex Battery Monitor (no good progress) and the Macerator (no good progress). Left about 1000 as soon as the fog cleared and motored into a SW wind of 16 to 27 toward New Bern.
Wow!! New Bern! One of our newest favorite places. The brand new Galley Store Marina is right on the Neuse River in historic downtown New Bern. The owner, Mark, spent about an hour with us tying up, plugging in, pump out, and talking up the Town. When we headed in to register, we got another 30 minute introduction to the Town and then given courtesy bikes to take an initial tour (Mark asked that I wait until morning before taking his truck to West Marine, because he had an appointment that afternoon).
And what a tour it is. Historic, gorgeous and well kept homes dating back to the early 1700s. A beautiful river-walk. Revolutionary and Civil War sites, signage and history. New Bern was North Carolina’s original capitol. It moved after the Revolution. They have rebuilt Tryon Palace and its gardens (the colonial era governor’s mansion – we are taking the tour tomorrow). And are opening on Friday a new $60 Million History Museum. Can’t wait. Glad we put off West Marine.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Spent the morning with Mark's truck. Laundromat, West Marine, Home Depot. Then spent the afternoon replacing the macerator pump. Most of that time was spent wrangling the hose which runs from the holding tank to the pump off the pump housing. Now I know why they call it black water. But its done.
Met with an electronics guy on board to get the AIS installed. He suggested a half dozen other jobs. Quickly signed him up for all tasks. We'll see how it goes once we are back.
Too exhausted to take the Tyron Palace Tour. Even after a very long, hot shower. Great dinner in town and preparations for our return home (thanks to Uncle Ed, who - you will recall - has imposed a November 15 Hurricane Watch on us).
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Tess' planned leisurely two hour drive to a 3:00 pm Southwest flight out of Raleigh was replaced by a Bright Idea. Mine, I'm afraid. Instead of driving to Raleigh, why don't we leave from New Bern. The reasons: (1) an early morning flight, (2) US Air, (3) easily twice as expensive, (4) paying for checked baggage, (5) flying through Charlotte, (6) and then Reagan, (7) that's three different planes, (8) we are now carrying all of our luggage, and (9) the wrath of .... Bad idea.
The paln is for a week back to New Hampshire and then a flight next Saturday to Orlando for a week on Cocoa Beach to see the Shuttle launch. (What Shuttle launch? No Shuttle launch. But that's a different blog.)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Gearing up for a Tuesday return to New Bern. Thanksgiving in Charleston or en route to Savannah, is the plan. The big risk is the US Air return trip to New Bern. Can it go worse this time?
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