Outside at Last!

Today -- yes! finally! -- the breezes warmed, the sun shone, the snow melted, and all of Oriental went out their front doors and stretched their arms. Outside!

Not many boats braved the river. I saw three sailboats, this lone powerboat, and one kayak.
In Bayboro (the county seat) on Friday I found this Snow Mountain in a parking lot. I haven't seen one of these in years! All the local kids should have been playing "king of the mountain."

We did sell at the market yesterday. A very slow day, but we were so happy to feel sun and see friends, we didn't mind much.

And then ... suddenly, a ukelele choir:

They played adorably for about 30 minutes to a crowd standing in the middle of the street. They shared rhythm instruments with us and asked us to sing along.
Isn't this one cool?

In Oriental ... um, how do I say this nicely? Streets are for dogs and walkers and bikers and people carrying on conversations. They're only secondarily for cars. It's perfectly normal for pedestrians to require cars to sit and wait while four people and seven dogs finish visiting in the street. Boaters particularly take no notice of waiting drivers, who sit patiently while yarns are told.

These two girlies are regular features in Oriental. Yesterday they sported their Chinese New Year outfits. Oriental had a dragon run and a Chinese dinner and raffle at the marina.

But my bike ride was today, Sunday. The dog walkers were out in force.

I met a Labradoodle, a Weimaraner, and two Newfoundlands.

"Masters of Drool"

The Neuse was smooth and lovely. And although the sailors didn't venture forth, the ducks did.