Monday October 15: Fun Times in New Bern

Yesterday was the perfect day to move the boat. The Neuse River was almost flat - very different than  Saturday!

I left the marina with a destination 5 miles across the river at Matthew's Marina. Steve left with the car to take the ferry across the river and meet me at the marina. I crossed behind the ferry so Steve was able to get some pictures of Yesterday's Dream actually cruising along - fun to actually be able to see the boat moving through the water. I see now why we ended up with the ICW "moustache" when the paint on the hull was becoming porous enough that the water stain came up higher than we thought on the bow. Somehow I thought we ran pretty flat in the water!

Matthew's Marina is a great place for us to spend the next week. The dock is a perfect height - no tides - close to showers/restrooms - close to the parking lot - what more could we want :-) And a hammock nearby to boot!

This will be our home port until next Sunday when we leave to head south. The weather here is still nice - mid 70's or higher in the day with low 60's at night. We know that will begin to change though.

Both Matt and Wendy have been working like crazy ever since we arrived. Nice for us because we were able to use Wendy's car just about anytime we wanted but they were both ready for a real break. Off to the New Bern MumFest we went!

Scored with a good parking spot - $5 to the downtown church that was raising money for their youth program. They had a beautiful area between their two buildings that had a number of crape myrtle trees. Don't know much about them but they were quite unique.

Lots of food places, crafts and other booths on three blocked off streets in downtown New Bern.

We finally stopped to see the drug store that was the birthplace of Pepsi. Kind a fun with lots of memorabilia for sale - and of course you could have purchase a Pepsi!

This is someplace we have driven by a number of time but never stopped. It was fun to finally see it.

Entertainment included BMX (hope I have that right) demonstrations. These kids were really good and on such a short track. Many flips and other tricks. It was nice that they encouraged young kid in the audience to try these tricks (unlike the commercials that say 'don't try this at home') but ONLY when using appropriate safety equipment.

There was a Purina dog show - lots of Frisbee through and catching. I thought we should bring Fozzie along so he could learn some new tricks but sadly, dogs were not welcomed at the MumFest.

Matt was inspired by the BMX guys and was checking out the skateboards at one of the booths. It was pretty impressive that he just hopped on and off he went!

I think there may be a skateboard in his future - for sure :-)

New Bern had lots of bears around the city - Steve chose to pose by the Pirate Bear!

All of them were decorated - some were standing and some were like normal bears with four paws on the ground. It's surprising to me how many cities have done something like this. I had always thought that Cleveland was quite unique when they always had the decorated guitars each year.

Wonder if they still do that?

A nice dinner out at the local Japanese steak house and it was time to call it day.

Steve was up early this morning to take Fozzi on his morning walk. They walked down to the marina on base (sadly we can't stay there as Steve is not former military) to watch the sun come up. There was an alligator there the other day - first one spotted here in NC.

There are rumours that one lives behind Matt and Wendy's house but we haven't spotted it yet.

Dropped Wendy off at the airport for her work trip to Baltimore. Tomorrow we'll take Matt to the airport for his work trip to Arizona. Meanwhile we'll spend this week between the boat and their home - taking care of Fozzi. Sounds like a great week!!