Quiet Surprises

We found Oriental, N.C. to be an eclectic little town (population barely 1000 but 3000 boats registered). These folks have their priorities straight. That which began as a stop-over became a place we stayed an extra day and would probably go back someday. That's one of the neatest things about a trip like this...anyone can go to the "famous cities", but it's the quiet surprises along the way that really makes it so worthwhile. We stayed right at the Oriental Marina, best seat in town (great view of harbor & pretty sunsets). The locals having coffee in rocking chairs on the front porch of The Bean (great stop for coffee right across the street from the docks) yelled over to us, "Good morning Naples!" We walked to the grocery & marine stores (about a mile from the marina) and resupplied...on our way back to the boat a very nice man gave us a lift....A visit to the cooperative art gallery exhibited many talented local artists, Oriental inspires creativity! This place is just so NICE! We also met our first "loopers" in Oriental (looper is a term used to describe someone who is on the Great Circle Cruise). Milton and Fran from St. Louis on Sea Fox have been traveling for almost a year! They are wonderful folks and Milton is filled with good tips and interesting ideas! We will probably see them again along the way, but at the rate they're traveling we'll probably be back around to St. Louis before they will. Good for them!

Next stop was Belhaven, N.C. Very choppy...up to 5-6 footers in the Neuse River! Not a fun travelling day! Not much to say about Belhaven, except we went to the museum which was upstairs from the Police department. The Belhaven Museum is listed on some website as one of the top ten weirdest places to see in North Carolina, so you know I had to go! It was definitely weird. Ripley would have a field day there! Guess you'll have to go yourself sometime and see what I mean. The two headed baby pig in the jar of formaldehyde is just a tempter...

Today was a very long run to Coinjock Marina...our last night in North Carolina. We met back up with Milton and Fran and they invited us over to celebrate...today is their 1 year anniversary living on their boat! I can't even imagine! Next stop, Hampton Virginia! Chesapeake Bay, here we come! Let's see how many "quiet surprises" we can find there...