Successful Trent River Cruise Enjoyed
By Harold W. O'Briant, Jr.
Eleven members of the Durham Sail and Power Squadron enjoyed a perfect weekend of weather, nature, boating and fellowship on the annual Trent River cruise held the last weekend of October at New Bern. The cruise was held to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the New Bern at Night Ghost Walk, sponsored by the New Bern Historical Society.
The "cruise" began Friday evening with a "attitude adjustment" period followed by the first night of the Ghost Walk. Favorites along the walking tour of New Bern again this year included gospel singing at St. Peters A.M.E. Zion Church and a visit to Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Saturday morning everyone boarded boats provided by Coffield Knight, and Harold O’Briant and at 1030 the adventure began. Following the local navigation acquired during the past several years, the NOAA Neuse River chart and the "eagle eyes" of Herb Hill, traversing the criss-crossing channel up the Trent River occurred without incident through that part marked with navigational aids. Once the charted part of the trip passed, the two boats planed and followed the winding, ever narrowing, river between the trees displaying the fall colors of the leaves underneath a beautiful blue sky. Occasional stops to look at new homes, built since the last cruise, were made. Additionally, past "cruisers" will be pleased to know the unusual and unforgettable flower "pot" on the starboard side of the river about halfway through the trip has a "mate" beside of it. The new "pot" is pink, in case you are interested. Be sure to sign up for next year’s cruise to enjoy this local "statement".
The boats arrived at Pollocksville at 1200, rafted and enjoyed lunch and lively discussion with topics ranging from magnetic versus true chart marking and navigation and hurricane "holes" lead by Herb Hill, the new homes built since the hurricanes last year along the river, to the possibility of more barbecued wienies at the Saturday night party by Cdr. Tilo Alt. SeaBee’s anchor was raised around 1400 and the return trip occurred without incident or grounding.
Saturday evening members concluded the Ghost Walk and met in Cdr. Alt’s and Betty’s Suite at 2100 to relax and finish the shrimp and yes, the barbecued wienies.
On Sunday morning, members scheduled a variety of trips including Ocracoke Island, Beaufort, Atlantic Beach kite flying contest and Morehead City. For others, it was a direct return to Durham.
Members attending the cruise included Cdr. Tilo and Betty Alt, Ron and Mary Mosley, Herb Hill, Coffield and Sally Knight, Jim and Janell Boyd, Sandie Williams and Harold O'Briant.
Special thanks should be extended to Sandie Williams for "fixin’ all the goodies", the Bridgepointe Hotel and the Bridgepointe Marina and Dockmaster Tillman Harris.