Second Wind on the Great Loop and Beyond

Saturday, May 05. We left Oriental this morning after some fine shopping (new sandals) and again headed north, cruising across the Neuse, then the Pamlico Rivers. By mid-afternoon, we pulled into the Belhaven Waterway Marina on the Pungo River (love the name). Belhaven is yet another charming, boat-friendly town along the ICW. As one guidebook says, “the ambiance takes the visitor back to the early 20th century.” We walked with the Cowhigs a few blocks to the downtown area, checked out the Wine and Words wine shop/book store/deli/gourmet café, then we strolled along shady lanes lined with Victorian houses. the Fishers, a friendly couple who own a local bed and breakfast, explained that several houses have been raised about four feet to escape flooding when nor’easters and hurricanes blow through. The wind literally blows the water either into the river, leaving houses flooded or out of the river, leaving boats high and dry .

As the afternoon progressed, dark ominous clouds appeared on the horizon. The weather forecast for the next few days is not so great – sustained winds of up to 30 mph, with gusts much higher. Gale force winds are predicted in the Atlantic. Several other Loopers have also tied up at the marina, and we are all hunkered down, waiting to see what Mother Nature throws this way. We may be spending several days in Belhaven! For the first time, we find ourselves without cell phone coverage. More later.