Captainīs Log
13 June 2008
Greetings from New Bern, NC
We arrived here last Sunday after 4 months underway while covering some 1200 miles beginning on the SW Florida Gulf Coast. Actually mileage is somewhat greater when we factor in the 160 miles cruising the St Johns River and some other side trips we took just to see the area. Savannah and Charleston are two examples where we diverted in order to see these beautiful cities from the water as well as on land.
As some may recall, it was our initial intent to get up to the Hudson River before heading south for the winter. Mike and his family have rented a summer home as their get away from NYC on weekends. Well, with fuel prices continuing to climb, we have cut back our speed and do not spend a lot of time on plane at 17 kts. This has set our schedule back to the point where we decided to stop our northly cruise and begin the hunt for a new base in NC waters.
Our plan all along was to establish a base in this area which offers very good cruising waters and is mid way between family in FL and in NY. Matter of fact, we are going down to Jacksonville, FL to get our car this week in order to be able to drive up to NY to spend the 4th with the Yankee part of the clan. From here we can also get back into our old waters of the Chesapeake Bay without too much effort to visit friends and old haunts.
There is a nice institute of higher education in Annapolis we would like to visit also.
New Bern, named after the home of the founder of the town who came from Bern, Switzerland, is on the Neuse River about 15 miles above the ICW as it transits Pamlico and Albermarle Sounds just a little ways below the VA-NC line. It was the first capital of NC and its history dates back to 1702. The area saw action in the Revolution and Civil War. The original town has been very well preserved and it is amazing to read all the historic plaques on buildings and homes. Prior to the Revolution, the English Governor built a splendid home which looks very much like something from Williamsburg. Probably had the same architect.
It has been a good trip, had all the experiences one would expect, some bad, most good. Got to spend some time afloat and ashore with classmates, fellow boaters and friends, from too long ago. Not near as many folks traveling on the water as I remember in the past. Lots of marinas have many vacant slips and most say their fuel volume is way below normal. Here in NC where 73,000 jobs are part of the boat building work force and there are 60 boat builders, the trickle down effect could really start to take a toll on the state and local economies.
If you are boating in this area, vacationing or live here, please get in touch, we&undefined;d love to see you.
Fair Winds to all,
Claire, Joe and Crusin (ship&undefined;s dog)
MV "CJ"
Will keep you posted when the next leg begins. In the meantime you might find us on the hook almost anywhere in northern NC waters.
