The end of Stage 1
Today we rented a car and I drove Gloria and Rod to the Albert J Ellis airport about 60 miles south west of Morehead City so that they can fly home. If all goes to plan, Gloria will fly down to St Thomas in about a month’s time to rejoin the boat. It’s going to be a strange couple of weeks for me hanging out in Morehead City … but one day at a time.
Mike
As many of you know, it’s our tradition to have all visiting friends and family write at least one blog before they depart. So this entry, written yesterday, comes from Rod
As you will know from reading this blog, I have been aboard Cotinga as crew since she left East Greenwich. This is my first, and last, for now, blog entry.
As the old saying goes, all good things must end & my time aboard Cotinga finishes tomorrow when Gloria & I leave Captain Mike here in Morehead City. He'll await the next crew members and continue preparing the boat for the offshore passage.
As mentioned in yesterday's blog post, it rained yesterday afternoon. Mike and I had just finished scrubbing Cotinga's decks (who says life aboard isn't glamorous?) while Gloria washed the cabin sole (that's the floor for you land lubbers) when the rain began.
The rain subsided in the late afternoon, too late for cocktails in the cockpit and a brisk northwest wind set up that continued all night long.
We awoke in the morning to chilly temps & the same northwest wind. Having the day mostly free we decided to tour the Fort Macon State Park. That park contains a Civil War Era brick fort located on a barrier island just about 2 miles due South of the marina. Being unable to walk on water, we were forced to find an Uber to take us the 10 miles or so to the park.
It turned out to be a lovely spot to visit with expansive water views and sandy beaches. The fort was attacked and taken by Union forces commanded by General Ambrose Burnside who later served as governor of Rhode Island (my home state) for three terms. Among his forces were two regiments of Rhode Island infantry. General Burnside sported generous side whiskers a style that later became known as "sideburns"
The park has many well tended trails among the dunes that covers several miles. We walked a fair bit of them, then, on the hunt for lunch, we walked several miles to a waterside restaurant called Oceanana, pronunciation unclear. A late and quite filling lunch led us to call another Uber to take us back to Cotinga and a much needed rest!
It has been a great journey with good times, great weather (save one day), great food and great company. I want to thank Mike & Gloria for having me aboard.
May Cotinga and her crew always have fair winds and happy times.
Rod
No comments:
Post a Comment