Packed Up

Yesterday we were able to get another bike ride in - rode 20 miles around Newport area.
Today we spent much of the day getting most of the trailer and car packed up.  We leave tomorrow for Myrtle Beach.  We've enjoyed this area.

High School Choral Concert

Today it was windy and cold with some rain in the morning.  We decided to go to Jacksonville and do a little shopping.  Lots of people doing the same thing!

Bruce saw this evening that there was a choral concert at the high school so we decided to go.  AWESOME!!

Along with the concert was an art display.  AWESOME!

 This was one of our favorite art pieces.

The concert involved 3 different choral groups, some soloists and a combined choir.   

All Christmas music to put us in the spirit!

 Combined choir.

Hallelujah Chorus sung at end with alumni joining in.

Glad we found out about this - impressive!

Yea, dolphins!

Yesterday we got another paddle (1 hour and 50 min) in up in Beaufort - put in closer to center of town so our paddle took us places we hadn't been before.

 Center of town.

Paddled around an island that does research activities.

 Federal Research.

 University Research. (Hard to get a picture of this sign - every time I went to snap picture a wave would bounce me!)

 Boats in this part of town were working boats.

 Another person enjoying the warm weather.

 Fishing boats with nets.

 We spotted some dolphins - Bruce had fun talking to them as they played!

The yellow flag was flying yesterday & today warning people to be a little more cautious near or in the water due to higher winds and more surf.

Today it was rainy & cooler so we did a little shopping.

Foggy Day

It was a warm but foggy day - thought it might burn off but it never really did.  It didn't stop us from riding our bikes though.  Rode from Salter Path to Emerald Isle.

 Started on the main road - foggier than the picture shows but a nice shoulder to ride on.

 As soon as possible we went to a side road along the beach.

We went through a long stretch in Emerald Isle with lots of "small" beach homes like the ones below!

It was a fun area to ride in.

Sunny Sunday

This morning we went to the First United Methodist Church in Morehead City.  The choir did a special music presentation for the service and it was beautiful  The sanctuary was beautifully decorated with a Christmas tree and lots of red poinsettias.  We enjoyed the church and service.

While we were at church, the cleaning crew came in and cleaned our condo - now we are neat and tidy with clean sheets on the bed and clean bathroom towels.  Glad I didn't have to do it!

After lunch I went for a walk on the beach.

  Glad this isn't snow!

 Dead fish on the beach.

 Bruce watches football!

Another pretty sunset.

This evening

One of the pretty sunsets we've seen here.

Finally got to Clawson's in Beaufort for our favorite onion rings!

Parade

We went to Morehead City this morning and paddled in the Intracoastal Waterway for about 1 1/2 hours.  Warm, but cloudy morning.

Bridge connecting Atlantic Beach with Morehead City.

Bruce likes going under dock "bridges".

After our kayak we walked from the parking area of the boat launch and went a couple of blocks to watch the Christmas Parade.  Yes, they called it a "Christmas Parade", people in the parade wished the crowds a "Merry Christmas" and the bands played "Christmas music".  Nice!

Bruce found that if he waved and yelled Merry Christmas...

he got candy!

One way to keep him interested and involved in the parade!

Of course, Santa arrived!

Bruce's stash (not counting what he ate!)

The parade was 1 1/2 hours long and we stayed through it all!