Day Nine - Monday, August 5

We all slept late this morning.  We got up around 7:30 AM and walked to the Gingerbread Sweet Shop and Cafe in beautiful downtown Belhaven.  It was like walking into the 1950's.  Even the front door opened inward.  The decor was typical diner of that era and we sat at the counter on stools.  The waitress took our orders and we enjoyed a full breakfast and several cups of coffee.  

The cafe was decorated with Coke and soda fountain memorabilia that brought back a lot of memories.

We walked back toward the boat and stopped at a restaurant that was under construction.  The place was gorgeous!  Exotic woods and nautical models and an elaborate slate fireplace.  We talked with the foreman who told us all about the project.  he has been working on it for a year and a half .  Later he introduced us to the owner who is hoping to open before the snowbirds head for Florida.  Ed is going to drive to Belhaven for the grand opening.

Brice from the anchored sailboat stopped by to wish us a safe journey and we wished him a safe trip to Savannah, GA.

We untied the lines and headed out of the harbor.

As we cleared the breakwater we pulled out the jib and put up the main.  We sailed for almost an hour and a half in a stiff breeze at about 4 knots.  Then, the wind died and we had to motor again.

We entered the Goose Creek Canal and headed for the docks at R.E. Mayo Shrimp  Company about 3/4 of the way down the canal where we planned to stop.

As we arrived at R.E. Mayo there were nine dolphins swimming in the canal.  The dolphins probably know that the fish pier throws their scraps in the canal.

We tied up to the dock and asked for the men's room.  The woman inside pointed to the door and said we would find them out front.  

This was the men's room and ...

This, the ladies room...

We decided not to stay at R.E. Mayo for the night.  

We headed down the canal and out into Pamlico Sound.  After several miles we turned at a buoy into the Neuse River on our way to Broad Creek and the River Dunes Marina.  New Bern is right on the Nuese River only 35 away.

Rich got very excited when the dock-master at River Dunes said on the radio that the docks were floating docks with cleats instead of pilings.  We have not seen any docks with cleats since we left Annapolis.  The marinas down here use pilings for tie up only with little platforms to get off and on.

River Dunes is a palatial and elegant marina with some very large and impressive yachts on the docks. The boat next to Cachalot is a 63' two masted schooner named "Sheba Moon".  she is magnificent.

The homes  along the channel are large and luxurious.  When we checked in they gave pass cards to the pool and exercise center with showers.  They have free WiFi and in the morning they will loan us a van to drive into town for breakfast.  All this for $1.50 per foot per night.  We paid $37.50 for a nice stay at a really nice marina instead of a free night at R.E. Mayo on the canal.

Lat/Lon = N 35 05.0 W 076 36.0