Sunset in Oriental

 

 

Today, we headed down the Pungo River and out into the Pamlico.  While the temperatures hit 94, there was a decent breeze.  Small wonder that felt so thirsty though.  We entered the Neuse River and docked in Oriental, NC for the night.  River Dunes Marina is our stop for the night and what a swank marina!.  It is very protected.  Surrounded by pine forests, it is about 5 years old.  The floating docks were easy to dock into.  The grounds are well manicured.  We met the nicest people in the infinity pool; all with stories of the best places to stop, things to see, and, of course, the best places to eat.

 

After a cooling off, we signed up for the courtesy car to go into downtown Oriental, about 5 miles away, for dinner.  Some marinas have courtesy cars available.  Yes for FREE.  You simply ask and they give you the car.  There is usually a 1-2 hour limit.  So we went to dinner and the grocery store.

 

Oriental is the sailing capital of NC.  So we are actually in the minority on a motor vessel.  Oriental was given the name Smith's Creek by the post office.  The post master's wife thought the name should be more distinctive.  One day while walking along the beach, she found the name plate from a sunken vessel, The Oriental.  The Oriental had sunk in the last 1880's.  She petitioned the post office for the name change and that is how exotic Oriental, NC was named.

 

As we returned to the dock tonight, the sun was just setting behind the trees.  A neat backdrop to John on our boat.  Good night all.