11/23/2011 STAYING PUT IN MOREHEAD CITY TO WEATHER OUT THE STORM

WEDNESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 0 NM

DOCKED AT: PORTSIDE MARINA IN MOREHEAD CITY, NC ($1.22 /FT W/P OVERALL) THE SECOND NIGHT WAS DISCOUNTED AND THEY HAVE A FREE WASHER AND DRYER TOO

SUNRISE: 6:49 AM IN MOREHEAD CITY, NC        SUNSET: 4:58 PM

HIGH: 72                                                                       LOW: 55

Well, the wind started around midnight and reached its apex around 5:00 AM, ushering in a short but intense rain storm. Thankfully Dan had done a superb job securing Quest and we rode out the blow just fine. The clouds seemed to hover off in the distance all day but by early evening they were encroaching into our space. After dark the winds returned and began buffeting us from the north. No problem for us though as we had done our laundry in their free machines, done a walk about the waterfront, visited the hardware store and found a bakery for some treats.


T

DARK SKIES HOVER OVER THE MARINA WHILE
MR. PELICAN OVERSEES ALL

THE CLOUD COVER CREATES A SPECTACULARLY
COLORFUL EVENING AS THE SUN BEGINS IT DESCENT

                                                                                                                                                               The infamous pirate “Blackbeard” (Edward Teach) haunted these waters in his flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge. The remains of the ship were discovered in the waters just off Fort Macon State Park in 1996, substantiating the stories that it went aground near here.

Image via Wikipedia

BLACKBEARD HIMSELF

Morehead City was the dream of Governor Morehead who served the state from 1841 to 1845. He envisioned a commerce center at the intersecting Newport River and the Beaufort Inlet, complete with the requisite port and a railroad system to deliver goods. His hard work established this community that now is home to the Institute of Marine Science, the N.C. division of Marine Fisheries and the Ferry Division of the N.C. DOT. It is also a center for sport fishing, some light industry and tourism. The port serves both the commercial as well as the military community. Nearby Camp Lejeune, home to the Second Marine Division, has designated it as their port for embarkations and debarkations.