More Wind... More Car Time

Because the winds were projected to continue for the next few days we kept the car to tour some more, to re-provision a little, and to meet up with some friends again. So on May 4th with continuing high winds blowing at the marina, we drove to the historic [aren't they all] town of Edenton, NC.

Along the way as we drove the back roads we found evidence of  buildings damaged by storms from long ago...

..of upcoming festivals that we were just going to have to miss...

and a southern smoke shop that made us greatful that was one habit we did not have to satisfy at that moment in time.

Once there we found a beautiful picturesque town with many, many 1700-1800 vintage homes.

Some were on the other side of this old wooden bridge and others dotted the entire community.

Down at the waterfront we were greeted by a number of cannon that were there to once protect the city from the British navy.

Amongst the historic homes we found an occasional wrought iron fence topped with a teapot. These were erected in honor of the 51 ladies in the community who in 1774 decided to have their own "Tea Party". Instead of throwing the tea into the bay as in Boston, they agreed in a written document to boycott the British shipped tea. Each surviving household is memorialized with the Teapot Fence and a plaque as to whom lived there at the time. This particular one is to remember Elizabeth King.

As in a number of southern communities the oak tree is seen everywhere. This old tree has been manicured and sculpted to fit into todays neighborhood.

As with most towns with a rich history dating back to the 1700's, historic preservation is important. Down on the waterfront near the cannons, we found the Barker House dating back to 1782.

The house was moved to this site from another part of town. It does have a spectacular view from its porch now.

It also has some beautiful azaleas that look like orchids.

Also relocated to the harbor is the Roanoke River Lighthouse. It is believed to be the last remaining original screw-pile lighthouse in the US and maybe the world. These piling were helical in design and were screwed into the soft sand or mud. Because of the design they were easier to build and less expensive than driven piles.

Guarding the lighthouse was a one-legged seagull. I am not sure if he lost his leg while defending the lighthouse or just came that way.

After lunch we headed off for New Bern, NC. We wanted to do some grocery shopping and get a few supplies as well as meet up with gold looper friends Frank and Carrie from California. They are back in the area to do some boating for the spring and summer as work allows.

Under the category of "Things I Did Not Think I Would Ever See", I submit this picture:

Under the category of "Things I Did Not Think I Would Ever Hear", I submit this statement: "Wow, That was a really nice Walmart!"

After a few docktails on Frank and Carrie's boat we were off to dinner.

As it happened to be Kentucky Derby Day, they featured a Derby Day Cocktail. The recipe is 1/3 Kentucky Whiskey, 1/3 Vanilla Vodka, and 1/3 Ginger Ale. Frank and I had to have two just to make sure they were as good as they seemed!

Nautical Word For The Day: [from seatalk.info]

Spring:

1. To ease the ship forward or aft against a line which tends to move the ship towards the dock.

From Great Loop Jargon:

2. That seasonal time of year between winter and summer.