Lucky Again - Hurricane Sandy In Our Path

October 24 - 30, 2012

We decided to stop in New Bern, North Carolina for one night. Brian had traveled here when he was with 3M and he wanted to show me some of the historic sights. So, on Wednesday the 24th we took a forty mile side trip up the Neuse River to New Bern. That was a very lucky decision!  Once we got settled and checked the weather we saw that Hurricane Sandy was on track to travel up the east coast. Even though Sandy wouldn't be up here until Sunday or Monday, we decided to wait it out while we were this far inland.  We also found out that when the winds reach 35 miles an hour, the bridges on the intracoastal are closed. If we had continued, we could have been stranded in areas without anchorages or marinas and unable to go further without a bridge opening. Once again -- we are sooooo very lucky!

New Bern - The birthplace of Pepsi----NOT Coke! 
Caleb Bradham created "Brad's Drink" in this pharmacy
in 1898.  I could only find a gas station on the outskirts
of town that sold Coke!

This super storm was combining hurricane strength with a full moon and high tides to compound her threat.  Wind from the storm was being felt 500 miles from the eye.  And, once on land Canadian storms combined with Sandy to provoke massive snowstorms.        

Carver County Courthouse
The First Provincial Congress was held in New Bern
in defiance of British orders in August 1774.

Tryon Palace
Reconstruction of the original colonial royal
governors' palace.

Thursday and Friday we enjoyed beautiful bright sunshine and temperatures in the upper 70's.  We walked all over town visiting shops, restaurants and historic sights.  Saturday the weather began to disintegrate.  The wind picked up and the rain was intermittent.  We were out and about in spite of the weather visiting the farmer's market (that was cancelled - only one farmer showed up) and having breakfast in a local gem.  Sunday was a misnomer -- the sun never came out.  Gray clouds, rain and stronger winds continued throughout the day with temperatures dropping into the low 40's.  We stayed on board   
all day only leaving to go to a friend's boat for dinner.  Monday the storm finally passed us and continued towards New York.  Our weather was a duplicate of Sunday's.  We did walk into town for breakfast with friends and had dinner on their boat.  The plan had originally been to leave on Monday, but the wind gusts were still up to 50 miles an hour.  Walking on the docks took full concentration as they continually shift from wind and wave action.  Tuesday morning the sun peeked out of the clouds and gave us hope of better weather.  Wednesday we will be heading south with the two other boats that are traveling with us.         

Washington stayed in this home for two nights on
his Southern Tour in April 1791.

This is the third hurricane or tropical storm that we have encountered on our travels.  With waves beyond the intracostal at 35 feet, we NEVER want to experience that kind of angry water face to face.  As I have said before -- better to be lucky than smart.  Thank God our luck is still holding. 

Thanks to all of our family and friends that called, emailed and texted to see that we were safe.    
           
Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!


Formal Gardens of flowers and vegetables.

  

An authentic turn-of-the-century hardware.
Mitchell Hardware is a landmark in town and a
favorite of Brian's week in New Bern.

The Sting Ray Cafe -- the best restaurant for
fresh seafood in town. 

A beautiful sight!  The first blue sky and sunshine
we have seen in days..... It only lasted a few minutes. 

 

New Bern was the colonial capital of North Carolina
and for a short time the state capital.  It was first 
settled in 1710 by Swiss and German immigrants.
164 beautiful homes, stores and churches in the
downtown area date back to the early
eighteenth century.