FLYING THE GOLD!

The wind storm last night was so fierce.  I wondered how we would sleep with the noise of the wind and the water hitting the stern where we were tucked into our cabin.  But when the down pour of rain came the wind quit.  We slept well being rocked gently.

This morning it was calm & beautiful as the sun began to color our world.

We were moving out of our slip by 8a this morning....we were surprised to have a current pushing us instead of slowing us.  And it didn't seem long before we came to familiar places.

This bridge goes from Morehead city to Atlantic Beach where we often took the grand kids.

The water is always so pretty because of the Ocean Inlet here. This is the State Port Terminal.

At the Terminal was this HUGE heavy lift crane.

Tug boats...my favorite!

This is the bridge to Beaufort, NC.... the train bridge stays open (long extension in the air) unless there is a train coming.

The sky and the waterway were so pretty today.

Some houses north of Beaufort.

Pretty yard....we have at last left the palm trees behind.

At 1:44p in the Neuse River we crossed our wake (completed the Loop). Walter blew our loud horn and made a note in his Captain's Log. This river, where it flows into Pamlico Sound, is wider than the Mississippi River!

After a pleasant cruise we have stopped at the new free 50 ft City dock in Oriental. This is the view from the dock....nothing so blue as the deep blue of a Carolina sky!

I have now taken about 100 photos of the GOLD burgee...you know, from every angle.  It looks so good and the accomplishment is just now hitting me....I'm kinda at the “did we do that?” stage. The Miss gg and her crew have traveled about 6,255 miles! The Captain attaching the gold burgee.

After we were secured at the dock we put on our walking shoes and went for a stroll along the dock.

We found an ice cream shop and decided to celebrate flying the gold with a middle of the day snack!

We have lost a little but gained much on this Grand Adventure.  We missed a year in the life of two Grand Wonders.  We can't wait to see them in Raleigh.... we were blessed to be able to see the other 7 Grand children on our trip.

The Captain has certainly gained the knowledge of how to maneuver a 34,000 lb vessel AND without those niffy bow thrusters. I lost my fear of big harbors with huge ships and lots of boat traffic....Norfolk, New York City, Chicago and Mobile Bay. We both feel better now about anchoring in swift rivers....the Mississippi TWICE!

We have many new friends represented by the 77 boat cards we have collected from other boats doing the Loop and also many other boaters we have met along the way. I have new friends in Canada, Texas, California, Georgia...well, just so many states I can't name them all...... In general we have fallen in love with the amazing boating community....always so helpful and friendly.

And after 24/7 in this water house I believe our marriage is better than ever. THAT alone is worth a great Celebration, don't you think?

Oh! And one more thing, I lost 10 pounds and gained 10 wrinkles.... gained back 5 pounds but kept ALL the wrinkles...NOT fair!

Home port in New Bern Tomorrow!