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A recent visitor to the town dock, a catamaran named Pisces. (Ben Casey photos… click pic for more views)

A flock of swans depart corn fields about 3 miles north of Oriental off Highway 55. (Ben Casey photos. Click pic for another view.)

The New Year’s Eve Dragon draws in excellent mayhem. Dragon Master Jim Edwards and Mayor Sally Belangia lead the Dragon through the happy chaos on Hodges St. (Ben Casey photos – click pic for more dragonesque views)

If you touch the Dragon on New Year’s Eve, it’s said to bring good luck. But for the Dragon to make the runs (and bring luck in the new year), it needs a place to stay. That’s where you come in. Become a Patron of the Dragon and help the Dragon stay in its lair. All Dragon Patrons slots for 2025 are full. Thank you.

The New Year’s Eve Dragon in action (from the 2023 Dragon run). New Years Eve is Tuesday the 31st… the Dragon is getting antsy.

Monohull or catamaran? It’s sometimes a semi-religious debate. Cat owners may point out they don’t heel (tippy). A recent visiting monohull gave a name to their side of the debate: SV Tippy No Flippy. (Jennifer Smart photo)

Foggy trawlers on the harbor.

Winner in the “Light Up Oriental” contest, best business. It’s the lights at Oriental Village Veterinary on Broad St. (click pic for more views. Joe Clark photos.)

Luminaria glow Friday night on the bridge. (Joe Clark photo)

Friday night at 5p, the Lighted Kayak Flotilla and lighting of the Christmas Star. It’s all at the harbor / town dock on Hodges St. (file photo from the 2023 flotilla)

The lights at the Labyrinth, across from Lou Mac park.

The lady reflects.

Christmas thoughts are in the air. Christmas dinghy, by artist Laura Turgeon.

Parade Master Paul Fairbank and Santa invite you to enter the 2024 Spirit Of Christmas Parade. It’s Saturday Dec 14, 1p.
You can enter the parade, the registration form is right here.

A December sunset at Oriental harbor. (Holly Gay photo)

A foggy morning on Adams Creek. (Jesse Thomas photo)

On the Minnesott Beach / Cherry Branch ferry, you can take in the magnified sights. You’ll need a quarter.

Turkeys pedal too. The 2024 Turkey Pedal is Thanksgiving morning, starting at 9a. It’s a leisurely ride around Oriental, past the boatyards and marinas. No registration is needed, and no special equipment or skills; just you and your bike. Just show up on Hodges Street by The Bean / town dock a few minutes before 9a. (Laura Turgeon drawing)

Sunrise on Adams Creek. (Jesse Thomas photo)

A 44 ft catamaran, familiar locally as “Misto” …. has a new crew and a new name. Meet the Swiss crew of SV Naia, in The Shipping News.

Dolphins, on a door. They are aboard a 44 ft catamaran named Naia, in The Shipping News.

A pilothouse motorsailor… in 25 feet. Elizabeth is a Fisher 25.

Sunday sunrise, sailing vessels anchored on the Neuse off Oriental. (Jesse Thomas photo)

Visiting the town dock, SV Innamorata II, an Oyster 46. While the vessel hails from the UK, her name is Italian. “Innamorata” translation: sweetheart, in love. (click pic for more Innamorata views)

November’s full moon is a Beaver Supermoon – it reaches peak illumination on Friday. A “Supermoon” means that it will appear bigger and brighter than most full moons. Why is it called a “Beaver Moon”? Some say because this is the time of year when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges for the winter.
This Beaver Moon is from the hand of artist Laura Turgeon.

Offshore, this would be an uncomfortable view to behold. It’s much calmer if you’re just cruising by the Morehead City docks. Freighter Norway Pearl is registered to Nassau, Bahamas. (click pic from more freighter views)

Sunrise, viewed from Lou Mac Park.

At the town dock, a Dreadnought 32 and her reflection.

In 2023, Graham Byrnes circumnavigated the Pamlico Sound, 500 miles solo sailing a 17 ft boat. It was all to raise money for Parkinsons – the Rock Steady program in New Bern. Graham raised $11,000.
He’s back at it again – this time Graham is rowing the Neuse River – 100 miles from Goldsboro to New Bern.

Trawler Miss Kayden heads out searching for shrimp.

“Fly The Friendly Skies,” a painting by Marguerite Chadwick-Juner. It’s on display at Broad Strokes Gallery. (click image for more views)

A sword swallowing skeleton man celebrates Halloween on Broad St near the theater. (click pic for more skeletal views)

Monday two plein air painters were at work at the harbor. Visiting from Virginia, Robin Caspari Lee. (click photo for more plein air views)

The awards from the 2024 Chili Cook-off on Saturday. Hundreds showed up to chow down and vote on their fave chili. Here’s the story.

At first glance it may look like part of the local fleet, but Miss Saylor Aubrey is visiting from Darien, Georgia. (click pic for more trawler views)

A pelican rests on Neuse River Marker #4, just east of Broad Creek.

Approaching Oriental on an October evening sail. Tonight is the Wednesday Night Sail – you’re invited.

Trawlers from South Carolina and Georgia have been visiting, seeking the better shrimp crop now in our waters. Here, trawler Palmetto Pride heads out Sunday seeking her haul. (click photo for more Palmetto pics)

On the Point Pride Seafood docks, trawler Jesus Lives. The hailing port has an abbreviation of Hilton Head Island. (click photo for more uplifting views)

Every October small boat enthusiasts come from all over the country (and beyond), for a gathering at B&B Yacht Desgns on the Bay River, just outside of Bayboro. It’s called the Messabout, and it’s this weekend.

Skip Bailey passed away Oct 12. He was 77. This 2017 photo captures Skip with a few of his iconic features. A Bailey Island Maine hat. A Cigarette Boat t-shirt. And Skip, a former lobster fisherman, is eating a lobster roll (he had convinced Dave Sargent at M&Ms to offer lobster rolls). Skip’s life story is here.