I'm finally getting caught up to date on my blog, it seems we are always on the go. The computer has been particularly cantankerous, I had publish the pictures in two parts. Oh well, it's done.
Saturday, June 24, A great day until early evening, the usual t-storm doused us with heavy rain. About 8:30 the emergency ring tone on both our phones alerted us to a tornado warning in our area and to take shelter. We sloshed across the parking lot, walking in nice warm rain water to the bath house, after about 30 minutes we got the all clear, fortunately it didn't materialize. How do people live like this all the time.
Sunday, June 25, We left Luci in the coach, we drove up to New Bern, about 25 miles north, settled in 1710 it became the Colonial capital in 1766 and the first state capital in 1776. Tryon Palace burned in 1798. It was later reconstructed thanks to a a group of determined local women who raised the money, they were able to use the archictects original drawings to build and research the furnishings. It is truly beautiful, built very similar to Drayton Hall in Charleston, I had to ask - the women raised over 3 million dollars for the projects. We took a tour of the Palace and two houses that were part of the complex. Surprise, we had lunch at a Brew Pub in the historic downtown, Beer Army was the name of the place (???) Great burgers. Pepsi Cola was invented by a pharmacist just down the street in 1898. The drug store now sells Pepsi memorabilia. Across the street is the magnificent Christ Episcopal Church, founded in 1715, the first two buildings burned. The present one was built in 1824 in the same location. Our neighbors Steve and Donna joined us for happy hour. They have been "full-timing" for a year in their 32' Allegra, thinking they are either going to buy a bigger coach or a house.
Monday June 26, We took Luci and a picnic lunch to Cape Lookout about an hour drive and a 30 minute ferry ride, Luci was unsure about getting on and off the ferry, there was a slight separation between the boat and the docks. Cape Lookout National Seashore is very remote, it's one of the few undeveloped barrier islands. You have to take everything you'll need. There is a small gift shop/National Park Visitor Center and restrooms. The Cape Lookout lighthouse, constructed in 1857, is 150 feet tall and is still operational. The black diamonds face N-S and the white diamonds face E-W. The lighthouse keepers house was being painted and climbing to the top of the lighthouse is only allowed certain days. Not this day! (darn) We had a nice little lunch then walked around the point. Luci had a great time in the water, it was so warm, just like bathwater.
Tuesday, June 27, After Gary and I rode our bikes we "prettied" up, left Luci in the coach while we went off to explore Fort Macon State Park. Due to the Pirates, Spanish and English, the government decided it needed more fortification along the Atlantic coast. Fort Macon was one of 38 built, construction started in 1826. Fort Macon was involved in the Civil War and Spanish American War. In the 30's the CCC restored the fort, during WWII the US Army occupied the fort from 1941-1944. It reopened again as a state park in 1946. The reconstruction was very well done - you can almost hear the bombing by the Union Soldiers. We had lunch at the Channel Marker Restaurant, just off the causeway, we sat outside enjoying the weather but not the seagulls. Steve and Donna joined us for happy hour again.
Wednesday, June 28, We rode down to Swansboro with Steve and Donna, they wanted to take us to Yana's for lunch, one of their favorite restaurants, a 50's diner. The place was packed but we were able to get a table right away. Donna is a knitter so she and I went to the yarn shop. The guys checked out the antique store. What a cool place.
Thursday, June 29, We left Cherry Point about 10 for an uneventful drive to the Elizabeth City NC Coast Guard Base, only 141 mile drive, arriving about 1:00. EC Coast Guard base is one of the largest Coast Guard installations, most of which is off limits to us ordinary folk without security clearance. The park is small, only 10 spaces but the sites are nice sized. Located on the Pasquotank River, we have lots of room to walk plus there is a nice beach for Luci to swim in. We ate at Applebee's for dinner, kind of disappointing, it seemed dirty, the windows were filthy and the food was "different" than we are used to. Oh well, I didn't have to cook.
Friday, June 30, We didn't do much, laundry and housekeeping, drove into town for a few grocery. Nothing interesting.
Saturday, July 1, Holy smoke! It's July already! We drove downtown ready to explore. First stop was the Museum of the Albermale, a nice new museum exhibiting history of the area from Native Americans to present day. We grabbed lunch at a bakery/cafe on the waterfront before taking the Elizabeth City Residential walking tour. (we drove) Gorgeous well kept old homes, 1800's and 1900's. Our plan was to BBQ s couple of fillets but the Traeger wouldn't start. Phooey. They were okay on the stove, just a little frustrating. We had our evening t-storm, boy did it rain, it filled the ditch to overflowing. One good thing, it cooled the temps down from "feels like"100 to the high 70's.
Sunday, July 2, We took a morning walk around the base, Luci chased a fox that had the poor timing to come out of the bushes at the wrong time. Boy they (both) ran fast. the fox then ran into the woods and Luci decided to listen to us and stop. It's really hot, the heat index says 100. Our neighbors, John and Rhonda, from North Carolina (forgot where) came over for happy hour(s). They picked our brains about full-timing, they are considering hitting the road. They have a beautiful boxer, Sampson that they recently rescued from a shelter, poor baby, he was found in the middle of a parking lot about 20 pounds underweight.
Monday, June 3, We left Luci behind in the coach while we spent the day at historic Edenton, about 25 miles SW, a small town of about 5,000 on Abermarle Sound. One of the oldest towns in the state, established 1722. We checked out St. Paul's Church, built in 1736 and the cemetery surrounding it even picking up a geo cache. We grabbed a quick bite before visiting the Roanoake Lighthouse, it has been moved 3 times before settling in at the city park on the waterfront. As we were waiting to take the trolley tour we saw a group of people looking for something-AHA- geo cachers. We told them we'd let them find it then we'd log it. Well, neither of us found it! It must be hidden real well. The trolley tour was something, the historic district is quite large. If you live in the district you can't update the outside of the house. Many of the homes were circa 1800's and a few from the 1700's. We wanted to try North Carolina BBQ, Captain Bob's was recommended as the best BBQ in the area. We picked up dinner to go. it's a bit too "vinegary" for our taste. No t-storm tonight.
Tuesday, July 4, Didn't do much today, just before dinner Gary thought we should check out the Episcopal Cemetery, the oldest legible grave stone is 1724, a mix of stones and cast iron fences that illustrate the funeral tradition of the time. I just jumped in the car, not even grabbing my purse. The Coast Guard is under Homeland Security, they are fussy about ID"s. I had to wait in the guard shack while Gary went to the RV park to retrieve my purse. I felt like I was in jail, nobody was very friendly. We were able to watch the fireworks from the dock here on base, we could see 6 different firework celebrations along the river. Pretty quiet, unlike town where you hear "bangs" for hours after.
That's it for this week. I'm finally caught up. Enjoy the pic's.
TTFN
Gary and Pam
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