Oriental is a small village on the coast of the Neuse River in North Carolina. We anchored here to escape the forecasted high winds and thunderstorms. The first night we bounded out of bed in order to close all of the hatches and portholes due to torrential rain, and today while in a marine store a squall hit - high winds and heavy rains causing huge puddles and rivers of water in the streets. But the whole thing was over within 10 minutes. Thankfully, we weren't sailing; Lou reviewed procedures in the event that we are. As you can see, the sun didn't stay in for very long. In fact, we have been told by a waitress who moved to North Carolina from Ohio, that there are rarely a series of gloomy days down here.
This charming and friendly village is arty yet centered around fishing and boating. Many people we met were transplanted northeners. The woman running the marina office, a retired principal from Patterson, NJ, explained that she fell in love with Oriental when she realized strangers were saying hello to her as she drove in her car. That, and the warmer weather and lower prices convinced her.
We decided to stay a second day due to high winds and attended a chili cook-off. Lou and I had our favorite: The Deightons chili had bacon and a secret ingredient (I swore not to tell) giving it a slightly sweet flavor. We bought a container to have later, and took a picture of the chefs.
Our third night in Oriental, we tied up at the town dock. Here is Lou next to Ripple Effect. You can see the commercial fishing boats beyond. (reminder: you can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them.)
We decided to stay a second day due to high winds and attended a chili cook-off. Lou and I had our favorite: The Deightons chili had bacon and a secret ingredient (I swore not to tell) giving it a slightly sweet flavor. We bought a container to have later, and took a picture of the chefs.
Our third night in Oriental, we tied up at the town dock. Here is Lou next to Ripple Effect. You can see the commercial fishing boats beyond. (reminder: you can enlarge the pictures by clicking on them.)
Thanks to Lynn and Lee, my sisters who gave me a portable DVD player for my last birthday, (and friends Sally and Evan, and cousins Susan and Jordan for lending us videos) we are enjoying movies on the boat. Last night we watched TransAmerica with Hillary Duff which was an uneasy, but engrossing movie. She deserved getting an Academy nomination.
While here, Lou found a marine consignment shop and I unfolded my bike and took a ride along the coast looking at the lovely houses and stopped at the local supermarket on the way back.
On New Year's eve, the town holds a dragon parade symbolic of the Orient, and throughout the town we were surprised by dragons on porches, in stores, and even in streams where the picture above was taken.
On to the Southbound Cruisers' Rendezvous next...
