New Bern, NC to Myrtle Beach, SC

It’s getting chilly, so we’re headed back to our new home at Hilton Head Island.  

I know you've heard this before .... but ... New Bern was the best town yet. 

 
This town was voted as having one of the 10 best streets in America.  I am not surprised with its scenic waterfront, historic architecture, bordering a huge national forest, and so many other features that make it so special. 

 Gorgeous long bridges take you over the many waterways that take you to this town, and this quaint drawbridge is the gateway to the town. 

The City Hall.

You simply must click on these to see the amazing architecture.  They have preserved it better than any other town.

This is Middle Street, the one voted the best.  At this end, it leads to the City Hall.

What good fortune -- New Bern just so happens to be celebrating its 300 year anniversary!  The town was settled in 1710 by Swiss immigrants and named after Bern, the capital of Switzerland, which means bear.  Because of this, the bear is quite significant to New Bern, so much so that that have 75 life-sized beautifully crafted, colorful fiberglass bears located throughout town.  You will see my favorites sprinkled amongst the photos of this amazing town.  

1700s and 1800s churches on every corner.  What happened to steeples?

This town has done an incredible job at preserving its history and architecture.  It’s homes, buildings and churches date back to the 1700s, most in the early to mid-1800s in the Federal, Queen Anne, Greek Revival style.

Circa 1700s

They have also painted the fire hydrants to resemble historical characters that helped shape the town.

1800s Church and courtyard.

The very intimidating courthouse.

Utterly elaborate Queen Anne/Greek Revivial house, circa 1902.

The Masonic Theatre.  Impossible to capture its beauty.  Inside was sacred.

New Bern is where Pepsi Cola was invented!

This is Adventure Bear.  RV is a must in the adventure experience!

The Swiss Flag, of course.

And, what perfect town would be complete without a RiverWalk.  New Bern’s promenade is newly built with brick pavers, lanterns, gazebos, a beautiful huge park ... and bears!

Circa 1800s Church and grounds ... in the middle of town.

 Barrister Bear!

Tryon Palace, circa, 1767, where George Washington danced, is New Bern's most coveted building.

More of Tryon Palace.

 And ... finally Middle Street ... which is hard to capture.

We are on our way to Myrtle Beach, SC, which I imagine will be about as different from New Bern as a city can be!

Love, the Gypsy Tribe of Two

Roanoke Island, North Carolina to New Bern, North Carolina

Greetings from New Bern, North Carolina  which has been voted as having one of the top ten streets in the USA.  Bern means bear in Swiss; the town is named after Bern, Switzerland. Is a very special place.

We left all time favorite Roanoke Island this morn, and have landed at a KOA just outside of town.

Sunset on the Neuse River ...  from inside our coach here at New Bern

The Refuge, where we stayed at Roanoke Island,  is a most special place. It is only three years old.   Has its own lake that each RV site looks out on, and endless boardwalks meandering through the swampy surrounds.  It is my favorite park so far. 

Our site at the Refuge for a week.

 The RV sites surrounding the lake.

 Water view from our coach.

 Boardwalks meandering all around the swamps

Nags Head, Cape Hatteras and Ocracoke Island were all special in their own right, but Roanoke Island holds a more significant place in my heart, and a place I will visit again.  These photos are of Cape Hatteras, a 70 mile long barrier reef that begins at Nags Head and ends just short of Ocracoke Island.

So many beautiful bridges.  This one is from Nags Head to Cape Hatteras.

 The famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest brick beacon in the country, 208 feet high.  It was moved a half mile from its former location.  It was cut from its base, lifted onto beams and traveled by railroad tracks!

 And ... here we are!

  

Gorgeous Cape Hatteras Beach ... 70 miles of it.

We took a ferry over to Ocracoke Island (with the car). It was a gorgeous sunny day, 66 degrees.

 

 

 The Lighthouse at Ocracoke ... and us!

Typical Ocracoke houses

  

Roanoake Island, where we stayed, has been coined The Lost Colony because this was the site of the first settlement in the US, spearheaded by Sir Walter Raleigh who was commission by Queen Elizabeth I.  How unbelievably historical!  Fort Raleigh marks the site of this first colony created by 100 English men, women and children,  who built their village -- and disappeared without a trace. 

Manteo, the main town on Roanoke, named after an Indian Chief, is so charming, and historic.  The photos below are Manteo Village, the Elizabethan Garden next to Fort Raleigh and the QE II, a replica of the ship that brought the first settlors.  I just loved this town. 

2 1/2 miles of boardwalks wind around the quaint village of Manteo.

Roanoke Lighthouse, the perfect size for this charming town.

 Circa 1850.

A replica of the ship that brought the first settlors from England.   A real work of art.

Charming downtown Manteo, leading to the water. 

     More Manteo village streets with quaint shops.

The Elizbethan Gardens

Life size Queen Elizabeth I.

Manteo Pavillion, looks directly out onto the ocean. This is where the town performances are held!

So ... now we are in New Bern where we have already taken too many photos. Incredible town.  Carolina's anxiety condition has become much worse and she is unable to travel in the car, despite 4 Prozac and 3 Zanax.  So, I will have to become accustomed to exploring the areas we travel to without her.  Not sure I will be able to, as it will not be the same without my constant companion.  Today I stayed home.  Tomorrow we will see. 

Love, The Vagabonds