Stuff Part Two
June 23, 2011
The workings of government are not predictable these days. For instance, we have been getting periodic jury summons for Bear for over a year now. We acknowledge we have received same but ask for a pardon since we are not in state. Trying to get someone in the court to understand we have no plan, no schedule and no destination is like trying to scratch your name in the judge’s bench while court is in session. The conversation usually ends with the question about when we plan to return. Somehow, “we don’t know” simply fuzzes up the system. We will keep trying to be understood. Yeah, right!
I took a hike, as requested by Bear today. She is so nice to care about my physical fitness that she often suggests I do so. Sometimes, she just isn’t thinking since such suggestions occur often at sea. It was a short one up to the Cape Fear Museum. It was near 100 ⁰F with a matching humidity so this round mound of panting chub walked the eight blocks up hill. By the time I got there, I looked like a street person after the foot chase. They let me in and it was worth the walk. Did you know that there is actually such a thing as a twenty feet tall sloth? They have the bones to prove it. The featured exhibit was Pirates. Virtually all the famous ones worked this area. One made New Providence on Green Turtle Cay, Abacos a regular port of call. Been there and we think we know where he bought his burgers and tee shirts.
About half way from the boat to the Pirate exhibit is a beautiful home with all kinds of historical plaques on the side. One of them told that General Cornwallis, late of His Majestys Army, stayed there whilst messing with the locals back a few years ago. The basement was used as a prison at the same time. Seems he beat feet (guessing here) just after the skirmish of Morrison’s Creek took place. Market Street in this city is lined with houses with great historical significance. If you are a history nut, stop here sometime and spend a day or two.
Think I will double up all dock lines as there are some serious thunder storms in the area. Some have very high wind gusts and we wouldn’t want to float over and scratch that new paint job on the USS North Carolina. If anyone is interested, we have a story about a very over pressurized holding tank we can discuss off line- or not.

The picture is of the house where General Cornwallis hung out.