Swinging North to South Then Back Again

We spent part of summer working on a remodel at my mother's house in Connecticut. While there, we got a call from our friends asking us to head south for a two week cruise on their sailboat. After a 48 hour offshore run from Beaufort, South Carolina to Beaufort, North Carolina, and an additional 12 days moving north on the ICW, we arrived in Hampton, Virginia aboard their Island Packet 40, Veritas. It was an exciting adventure.

After completing the trip, it was time to make our way back to Connecticut. First, we had to deliver Susan and David back to their car in South Carolina. With only one evening to explore Hampton before heading south again, Susan and David went off to connect with local friends. We headed off on foot, to see what we could find. We stopped at Oozlefinch Microbrewery where the beer was good, and the brewery was quite busy. We chatted with a local guy who said it's his favorite spot. We could see why!

Beth & Dave in front of Oozlefinch

Oozlefinch Brewery Board

Sallyport Schwarzbier

The Taps

We walked back to get the car and drove through Fort Monroe. We spent a half hour or so walking around the park, taking in the sunset and evening view. The area is beautiful and popular with locals. There were many folks out and about. 

Old Point Comfort Light

Fort Monroe Boardwalk

We returned to Veritas for the night. In the morning, we packed our Expedition with our sailing gear and got on the road early. It took us seven hours to get to Beaufort, South Carolina. We exchanged hugs with David and Susan and turned right around to head north again toward Lumberton, North Carolina. It is a city of over 20,000 founded in 1787 along the Lumber River. Our friends Scott and Yolanda Moody are working in Lumberton. Our reunion was short but it was wonderful seeing them again. Our last visit was in April when we connected with them in Baton Rouge. We met in 2013 at Knife River Marina on Lake Superior. They have become close friends who we make every effort to cross paths with wherever we can. We chatted through half the night, getting very little sleep. Yolanda made us a fabulous breakfast before we headed out for the long drive to Connecticut. 

With Yolanda & Scoot in Lumberton

We wanted to make a couple stops along the way. Scott and Yolanda recommended a visit to Washington, North Carolina. We reached Washington at lunch time, parked in a downtown lot and took a walk on the boardwalk. Washington is a gorgeous town located on the inner banks, of the Pamlico Sound. It was founded in 1776 and was the first city named after General George Washington. Due to the importance of Washington, DC, it is referred to as Little Washington. We stopped in at the Visitor's Center to ask about the sunken boat in the harbor. Apparently, the owner deserted the boat after Hurricane Matthew. Washington does not have laws about removal of sunken boats so the owner was able to walk away from the responsibility of disposing of it. The County is now in the process of having it removed as well as working to pass laws that hold owners accountable for their vessel in the case of sinking.

Lots of crab statues in the South

Dinghy Docks

The Boardwalk

Dave in the park

Visitor Center porch rockers - Never get tired of them

Visitor Center Garden

Sunken sailboat to the right

Historic site

North Carolina Estuarium

Washington Festival Park with boardwalk

Next we drove to Edenton, North Carolina. We'd been intrigued with this town ever since Dave found it in our cruising guide. Arriving in the afternoon gave us very little time to explore. Edenton is a beautiful, historic town incorporated in 1722. It's located on Edenton Bay at the head of the Albermarle Sound. The historic district has several 18th, 19th and 20th century buildings. The Penelope Barker Welcome Center in the downtown harbor area caught our eye. We went on a guided tour of it with a volunteer who picked us out and began chatting with us about the construction of the home. He took us throughout the museum, including to the third floor which is not part of the tour. The area had sections of wall and ceiling which were exposed to show examples of the building practices in 1782. Dave and our guide had a detailed conversation regarding historic American carpentry.

Penelope Barker Visitor Center

Penelope Barker Visitor Center

Penelope Barker Visitor Center

Penelope Barker Visitor Center Porch

Harbor at Penelope Barker Visitor Center

Docks at Penelope Barker Visitor Center

 

Edenton Harbor

Roanoke River Lighthouse

Roanoke River Lighthouse

Roanoke River Lighthouse

Roanoke River Lighthouse

Roanoke River Lighthouse

Roanoke River Lighthouse at Edenton Harbor

Our tour guide directed us to a modest home in the heart of Edenton; telling us to drive by to see this historic wonder. Th tiny bungalow was purchased by a contractor who hoped to update it and flip it. After renovation began, he discovered that it could possibly be the first house built in all of North Carolina. The original construction, hidden in the walls, dated it. It is now a protected site.

This bungalow is believed to be the OLDEST house in North Carolina.  

We left Edenton feeling like we hadn't seen everything it had to offer. We hope to return one day, maybe stay awhile, possibly aboard Mystic. It took us another ten hours to drive from Edenton to Connecticut; we arrived at 1:00 am, exhausted but ready to enjoy the Labor Day weekend. We spent the next two weeks finishing up the projects we started before taking a break for our sailing adventure. It will be good to get back home to Minnesota. This was a long, seven week detour.