Day 15, Sunday, April 17, 2016 at Cape Carteret, NC

Day 15 April 17, 2016 at Cape Carteret, NC

Accomplished and enjoyed four things today. Added one at the end  of the day that was a +/-.

We had wanted to spend some time Sunday with a good breakfast place and also to visit and join folks at one of the local churches. We found Cox’ Restaurant in Beaufort  NC, was  just that restaurant. It  was home made food, casual, and very reasonable.   Getting out for breakfast was the first on the trip.

Last nights sunset from the trailer window.

Bethlehem United Methodist Church where we attended today.
(Cape Carteret NC)

The US 'Old Gory' and The North Carolina flags.

We had already scoped out the local UMC  that was named Bethlehem and attended their 11:00 service right after breakfast. A very  welcoming congregation, in an old church that recently added  a meeting area for Sunday school classes. About 80 were in attendance and they have about 150 members. We heard and learned about Paul’s conversion and the workings of Ananias’ doubt turned into the gift of giving and healing. Pastor Tim uses a very informal style engaging the audience at times and walking away from his notes if he relates a story.

Then it was “pack a lunch” and head for the  east end of Bogue Sound where Beaufort, NC hosts the third oldest established town in North Carolina. Blackbeard the Pirate ran aground here in 1710 so the community dates about that far back. There are 12 blocks of certified homes of well over 100 years, and many since the 1700’s and pre revolutionary war days. You have  to remember that before there was a ‘USA’,  Each of the communities had a militia to ward off the Spanish and other ‘pirates’ that would come seeking loot. The Spanish attack here is great reading. In part … “August 26, 1747, Spanish privateers attacked and plundered Beaufort. The attack was one in a multi-year series of assaults by the Spanish on the largely undefended coast of North Carolina. It dramatically demonstrated the constant threat posed by the Spanish on the colony.  After three days under siege, the colony’s inhabitants fought back and drove the privateers away. This continued until a treaty after the French and Indian Wars.

Seeing the old homes was a delight. It s a clean city and given awards for it’s “cool” atmosphere.

Finding Hoop Pole Nature area was not as easy. It was across on the ‘Inner Banks’ as they are called or, Atlantic Beach.  At the north end of the Emerald Island, is Fort Mason, a defensive Fort built to withstand the Union attacks near the end of the Civil War. It was about 4 miles from a spot where Union General Parke, mustered his troops and cannon through the swamps and tides and then  marched the 4 miles up the beach to emplace the cannon and in three days the Confederates surrendered, (April 25 1862).

Here are a number of homes in Beaufort ,North Carolina without descriptions. Simple but stately and useful.

Above left.We believe this and a few others were barracks
 or boarding homes.

We still had not found Hoop Pole Natural area, and I asked Margaret, the volunteer at Fort Mason, if she knew. YES she did, and directed me to it. We drove there and lo and behold, that was the very spot where General Parke prepared his troops for the siege  of the  Fort. It is the last Coastal Natural area on Emerald Island. All else has been developed of destroyed in some way. This is an Island some 25 mies long. So sad , but at least this remains. Hang on to those natural areas, folks.

The Old burying Ground. Many families in the fenced areas

Self explained.

A unique crypt style.

A new highway bridge over the intracoastal Waterway at Beaufort.

The general area near Beaufort but on Emerald Island.
Alo called Bogue Banks (see in drawing)

A photo taken  from  Fort Mason, looking out to Bogue Sound
and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

The description of General Sharpe's attack
on Fort Mason.

The last effort was a return to Pringle Road to see if any birds were present on Sunday.  (Day off rest) The high winds now were steady over 20 mph and gusting to 30 +. No birds to be found so we headed home satisfied that we had seen much and learned more.

Tomorrow is the rather lengthy trip to Cedar Island NWR.  Many fisheries and oyster harvesting along the way we hope.