Wilmington, NC used to be
the largest port in north carolina, and was the last open port on the east coast that the confederacy had. wilmington is on the cape fear river and has the southern seaport feeling that i've gotten in savannah, charleston, new orleans, and galveston. its not as opulent or large as new orleans or charleston
but it
still has the look and the feel. more new orleans than charleston, mostly because of being on the river and not a peninsula. the historic district felt very safe. unlike new orleans, where its awesome, but you also have the feeling that maybe you won't get shot. wilmington has the nice classic mansions and some "gritty" former wharf warehouse condos on the river. and the real estate prices on some of those looked fairly reasonable.
saturday night was prom night and also lots of weddings. i saw weddings being set up on a balcony by the riverwalk, at kure beach across from fort fisher, and at a church right next to a beautiful old mansion (where the reception was)
the coast guard docks one of their cutters here on the piers along the cape fear
river. their atfp requirements were ridiculously low. they dont eve
n carry a sidearm. still in 6 section duty like us, but with 87 crew and 15 officers, it seems a lot fewer requirements... not to mention, they only have one shore power cable. across the river from the city is the old battleship north carolina, i didn't go this time, got to save something for another trip. but, it is painted with shades of blue and grey camoflage to make it more difficult to see.
along the riverwalk are res
taurants, houses, and the federal building with its fountain. you can also pay 5 dollars for a 45 minute trip around the cape fear river. the town was pretty lively in a good way with people coming and going and enjoying the lovely spring weather.
Wilmington, NC used to be 
the largest port in north carolina, and was the last open port on the east coast that the confederacy had. wilmington is on the cape fear river and has the southern seaport feeling that i've gotten in savannah, charleston, new orleans, and galveston. its not as opulent or large as new orleans or charleston 
but it
still has the look and the feel. more new orleans than charleston, mostly because of being on the river and not a peninsula. the historic district felt very safe. unlike new orleans, where its awesome, but you also have the feeling that maybe you won't get shot. wilmington has the nice classic mansions and some "gritty" former wharf warehouse condos on the river. and the real estate prices on some of those looked fairly reasonable.
saturday night was prom night and also lots of weddings. i saw weddings being set up on a balcony by the riverwalk, at kure beach across from fort fisher, and at a church right next to a beautiful old mansion (where the reception was)
the coast guard docks one of their cutters here on the piers along the cape fear
river. their atfp requirements were ridiculously low. they dont eve
n carry a sidearm. still in 6 section duty like us, but with 87 crew and 15 officers, it seems a lot fewer requirements... not to mention, they only have one shore power cable. across the river from the city is the old battleship north carolina, i didn't go this time, got to save something for another trip. but, it is painted with shades of blue and grey camoflage to make it more difficult to see.
along the riverwalk are res
taurants, houses, and the federal building with its fountain. you can also pay 5 dollars for a 45 minute trip around the cape fear river. the town was pretty lively in a good way with people coming and going and enjoying the lovely spring weather.
