New Bern, named by a Swiss, is not technically on our trip south, but it was an opportunity to meet, network and learn about the cruisers' life at the Southbound Cruisers Rendezvous or 'gam' (get together). We anchored in the Trent River and spent 6 days going ashore with our dinghy to explore, greet and meet, and, as Tony said, go to school.
Tony and his wife Marla came to join us into Florida. In prep
aration for their arrival, I cleaned the boat thoroughly and thought to myself while scrubbing the floor of the head (bathroom), I don't even do this at home! Next day, I paid for it - my sciatica returned. It's a sure consequence of cleaning, so Lou will just have to do it from now on!
aration for their arrival, I cleaned the boat thoroughly and thought to myself while scrubbing the floor of the head (bathroom), I don't even do this at home! Next day, I paid for it - my sciatica returned. It's a sure consequence of cleaning, so Lou will just have to do it from now on! Anyway, the four of us celebrated Marla's birthday at a seafood restaurant with a wonderful sparkling chardonnay, Barefoot Bubbly. The next day we took a tour of the Tryon Palace which was the first governor's mansion, and a trolley ride of the New Bern historic homes and buildings.
At the Gam, we attended presentations by experienced cruisers on topics such as Suddenly Alone (what to do in the event that your partner is incapaciated), Forecasting Weather, When Mars and Venus Go Cruising, and Real World Advice for Beginning Cruisers. The presentations were professional and everyone was friendly and helpful. On the last night, we celebrated with a fried chicken dinner and were entertained by a Barbershop Quartet of fellow cruisers.
One surprise at coming to New Bern, was getting in touch with old friends of Lou's, David and Diana Sousa. The three of them hadn't been in touch since 
the Sousas moved down to North Carolina from Rockland County when they used to sail together 25 years ago. Of course, everyone still looked the same! During our stay, we had a lovely dinner at their home, and they graciously offered to let me shower there which was a real treat from the confined space of the boat. Our last evening ashore they took us to the Centenary Methodist Church for a theme dinner in the basement. Everyone was dressed as monks in a darkened room lit by candles and we were entertained with medievel acapella chants.
the Sousas moved down to North Carolina from Rockland County when they used to sail together 25 years ago. Of course, everyone still looked the same! During our stay, we had a lovely dinner at their home, and they graciously offered to let me shower there which was a real treat from the confined space of the boat. Our last evening ashore they took us to the Centenary Methodist Church for a theme dinner in the basement. Everyone was dressed as monks in a darkened room lit by candles and we were entertained with medievel acapella chants. Back on our trip south on the North Carolina Intracoastal Waterway...
