Fall New Bern 2021

the first of October brought Pit Bull to NC and Dee had purchased  box ticket for my birthday.  We headed to Charlotte for the concert and but first  we met up with some good friends for a fun night and a cold beer.  Concert Time - the best way to watch a concert at our age is with box tickets and a server!  Opening act was Iggy Azalea and then Pit Bull He preformed an awesome concert with an awesome message.
Mid October and we finally get a chance to travel out to Ocracoke.  We had been planning this trip since before we arrived in New Bern, but just could not get it scheduled but finally the weather and time aligned.  The weather was cool but perfect for our ride out to Ocracoke.  On Our trip out we passed on of the Ocracoke ferries just as we caught sight of land.  We were glad the ferry was headed in the opposite direction because the entrance seems a little narrow if you have to share it with a large car ferry.  We entered into the the anchorage area of Silver Lake which is very protected from the winds.  It took a little time to find a spot to anchor where we were happy and settled but we had a great view of the lighthouse from Journey.  Cocktail time before sunset at Ocracoke.  The next day we set out to see the lighthouse and explore the little village.  Everything one would need is in walking distance.  We would have loved to gone the length of the island and see the pony pen, but that stretch is around 12 to 13 miles and it just didn’t seem like worth renting a vehicle when desolate beaches could be reached by Shelby.  The next day we took Shelby and head south toward the Ocracoke Inlet and explore the beaches on the southern end.  This was probably our favorite part of exploring Ocracoke the unspoiled beaches.  
As we headed back toward  New Bern we caught sight of lots of fishing vessels slowly cruising in the Pamlico Sound.  We decided not hurry back to the dock because we love being out at anchor and headed into South River for a quiet night surrounded mostly by nature.  We were joined by two other boats but we each chose spots away from each other. The South River area has many anchorage choices and secluded spots, and One more spectacular sunset in the books.  
Now that we were back on the dock it was finally time for the big galley project.  First, Dee pulled out the old rusted oven and stove and next he removed the old countertops.  Now it was Jorge turn.  He had already measured, ordered, cut and polished the countertop but it was time for the final fit and polish to install the new countertop.  Dee was a great assistant along with Jorge’s granddaughter Isabella.  We met Jorge as he was doing major renovation on a boat across from us on the dock and we feel fortunate we found someone who knows and understand working on boats. We are super excited about the finished look of our galley!
The HOA where our marina is located  hosted a block party with food trucks and Due East to close out our October in New Bern.  Oh Yeah!  And the flood waters attempted to come.  

We are headed to Alexandria to move Jesse into a much bigger apartment.  Since we were in Eastern NC we just jumped on the train to Alexandria and back after the move.  The trip was much easier than the move!
​We are back and November brings Bill and Angie out to visit in New Bern.  A little cool but able to see all the great spots around New Bern and some more spectacular sunsets.