CODA BACK IN THE THE USA 2025 (91).

CODA : Well in to North Carolina.  

11 April 2025 

Oriental downtown docks, Oriental, North Carolina   

  

Oriental downtown docks where they just happened to be a boat show going on.

Marc-  We left Mile Hammock anchorage at 06:15 to arrive at the Onslow beach bridge in time for the 07:00 opening and timed it perfectly.  We passed through with a rather large cruising motor yacht behind us.  The weather was mixed, we had rain, headwind, thunderstorms at a distance, and then a stretch of sailing in Bogue Sound with favorable current.  It didn't last since we eventually changed waterways to find contrary current and contrary winds. 

 The best news came when I called the Oriental Marina manager who told me that he had found us a spot to tie up if we didn't mind being in the boat show since an exhibitor had cancelled.  We ended up in a terrific spot in the middle of everything right in front of The Bean coffee shop (they also have terrific ice cream - what could be better.  Two large ice cream cones for $4.50).  We went to visit some of the extravagant boats.  We also visited the "marine garage sale" tent.  The whole atmosphere is very low key and friendly in this self-proclaimed "sailing Capital of North Carolina".  Michael took us to a local restaurant called M&M that was excellent.  We returned to find the whole section of the harbor being used for the boat show cordoned off by the local Sheriffs (and they stayed on duty to guard all of the stuff as well).  They let us pass without a fuss.

Sunrise soon after passing through the Onslow beach bridge.

One of the brighter moments of the day passing a cruise ship in Morehead City.

There were some dark clouds hanging around as we passed through the Commercial fishing fleet docks in Oriental inner harbor.

We made it (no worries about the bowsprit overhanging the dock since there are no tides here).

There was even a quilter's tent.  I bought these beautiful napkins for Sue.