Great to see the Admiral and his crew are doing well and having a safe journey aboard the maiden voyage of “Courage” the Hinckley 36 Picnic Boat.
Saturday September 20, 2014
Weather: Cloudy / Rain 70s
Departure: 07:30 from Chesapeake, VA Destination: Oriental, NC
Marina: Oriental Marina and Inn Arrival: 16:00
Distance traveled: 150 Nautical Miles
BIG WATER AND ANOTHER LONG DAY
The day started early again. The crew set out from Chesapeake, VA. After a fuel stop in Coinjack, NC on the ICW Courage headed to Albemarle Sound. Coinjack is a notable spot for ICW mariners. Today’s journey followed the Alligator River to the Pungo River to Pamlico Sound to the Neuse River. The final stop today was Oriental Inn and Marina.
Oriental is known as ‘The Sailing Capital of North Carolina’. This tiny harbor town is on the Neuse River, the widest river in the USA, leading to the vast sailing waters of Pamlico Sound and on to the Atlantic through North Carolina’s barrier islands. The area is easily some of the finest boating waters on the East Coast. Oriental is on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and a destination for hundreds of cruising sailors travelling North and South with the seasons. The population was 875 at the 2000 census. It is part of the New Bern, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area. Oriental is the largest city in the county (wow how small are the rest of the cities!), and home to most of its motels, bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants, marinas, boat brokerages, the newspaper, several sport fishing charters, and the county’s cultural center. Gotta love Wikipedia!
The crew’s first assigned slip was within sight (and sound!) of a rock band that was playing until midnight. A slip change was in order. But the rains came and the band was rained out. The rain was hard enough that the hatch over the v-berth leaked. The crew slept with rain coats covering their sleeping bags.
Sunday September 21, 2014
Weather: The Sun is shining! 70s Departure: 10:00 from Oriental, NC Destination: Beaufort, NC
Marina: Beaufort Town Marina Arrival: 11:00
Distance traveled: 30 Nautical Miles FINALLY SUNSHINE AND A SHORT TRIP
After two long days Admiral Archie gave the order that today would be a day of rest. Just a short trip to Beaufort, NC for a little sightseeing.
Beaufort (pronounced BO fort) is a town in and the county seat of Carteret County, North Carolina. Established in 1709, Beaufort is the third-oldest town in North Carolina. It is sometimes confused with a city of the same name in South Carolina; the two are distinguished by different pronunciations. The South Carolina Beaufort is pronounced Byoo (like beautiful) Fert. Beaufort is located in North Carolina’s Inner Banks region.
George and Jerry took a bicycle tour of Beaufort and visited the North Carolina Maritime Museum and the Hammond House. The Hammond House (aka Blackbeard’s house), the oldest home in Beaufort, dates back to approximately 1700. There are many legends and stories connected with the house. Some people have believed it to be haunted and it is told that Blackbeard once stayed there with an 18 year old French common-law wife who was not a willing occupant. The pirate became so angry with her that he hanged her on an oak tree in the back yard when he departed. Some people say that to this day, when conditions are right, her screams can be heard.
George was able to attend his first AA meeting of the journey. After a couple of rainy days it was nice to have good weather. Tomorrow the crew heads to Wilmington, NC.
We look forward to hearing how the crew aboard “Courage” are enjoying the ICW!
TheWatermanBlog 