Oriental NC Aboard Veritas

We were up early and ready to leave Beaufort, North Carolina by 9:00 am. The next stop on our 500+ journey aboard S/V Veritas will be Oriental, North Carolina. It is an easy morning for us with a short hop under the Beaufort high bridge then through the mighty Neuse River.

Beaufort High Bridge

Bridge Patterns

We found a stow-away on deck. A praying mantis rode all the way from Beaufort to Oriental. He jumped onto the dock soon after our arrival and was off on his own adventure.

The Neuse River, which is more like a sound, led us to New Bern, North Carolina.  It's wide but shallow, so conditions can get dicey quickly. I was at the helm as we crossed in a 25 mph head wind. It was hard making progress and a little unnerving but I was able to get us to the entry channel leading to Whitaker Pointe Marina. My crew mates talked me through this. Susan took the helm and slid us up to the face dock while the guys threw lines to our new dock mates.

Veritas docked at Whittaker Point Marina

We settled in then walked the long planks from our dock to the Clubhouse. Whittaker Point Marina is really lovely with teak and holly floors, roomy new bathrooms, a porch with rockers, a pool and a gorgeous view.

Whittaker Pointe Marina Clubhouse at the end of a long dock

Whittaker Pointe Clubhouse

Whittaker Pointe Porch

Gorgeous Teak and Holly Floors

Nautical sitting room

The marina has a loner car so we are able to drive into Oriental and explore. We found a really fun store called Inland Waterway Provisions. They had everything you can imagine for sale there. Susan was delighted to find gluten free foods. The guys loved the resale boat section. I was in awe of the prices for sail bags. I've been making them as gifts and see that I could make a living at it with what they go for!

Sign greeting us in Oriental, NC

Seahorse House

Oriental Yacht Club (OYC)

Downtown Bayside Inn

Fishing boat

Fishing Fleet

Fresh Seafood and Eggs

Oriental Dragon

Inland Waterway Provisions

We drove around town and found a spot where we could take photos of Veritas at Whitaker Pointe from across the bay. Dave and I meandered around the waterfront and found an old train depot which had been moved from it's original location and made into a restaurant and pub. 

Veritas at Whittaker Point Marina

Veritas at Whittaker Point Marina

O'Town Restaurant The old Train Depot

O'Town Pub The old Train Depot

Dave at O'Town Pub

The sun set behind houses and trees so we didn't have a magnificent light show to end our day but we did see dolphins in the bay and a water moccasin swimming under the dock. Dave and I walked up to the Clubhouse to use the bathrooms and the dockmaster, Bob, offered us a beer on the porch. We had a nice chat before retiring for the evening. In the morning, we'll head for Belhaven. Each stop is a new adventure.

Water Moccasin

Moon Rise over the dock

Moon over Whittaker Pointe