Birthplace of Pepsi

Yep.  That's what New Bern is.

Yesterday Michelle and I had lunch in a very charming restaurant called Morgan's in downtown New Bern.  Here it is:

The downtown historic area of New Bern
is as charming as any you will find.

And I decided to order a Coke.

Bad, bad, man.

You see, Pepsi was invented in New Bern!  No Coke for you, gringo!  (Not from these parts, are ya, Fella?)  Bev and Arnie quickly informed me that this is a PEPSI TOWN.

I suggested it was perhaps better described as the birthplace of the imitation of Coke.

I didn't get a lot of laughs.  I guess people in New Bern just don't have a funny bone.

Later, Bev and Arnie took us to the actual drugstore
where Pepsi was invented - just down the street from
our restaurant.

And here is the drugstore.  If I was really good, I'd recall
the name of the drugstore.  Bradbury?  Bad case of CRS.

But back to the restaurant.  It was really a pleasant experience, and made even more so by our server Winnie.  Now, how many Winnie's have YOU met?   We decided she was our first, and what a sweetie.   She was even sport enough to have her photo taken with "Dee-Dee the Dinosaur", the ball and chain that Michelle is required to take with her on our trip.

Winnie had no idea why she was doing
this, but she's a good sport!

We ended our afternoon with happy hour on Bev and Arnie's sailboat.  It's a 42' Catalina and they have sailed it to the Bahama's 4 times so far (and that doesn't include trips in their old boat).  Bev and Arnie have been our inspiration for "chasing your dreams", as they made the decision to sail while they could, and they retired early to do it.  They have made so many wonderful memories, they can't recall them all.  Hmm.  Wait a minute.  Does that make them memories?  Oh, forget it.

We carefully photographed the two
nicest people in New Bern. 

Jay is doing his best Pirate Squint.  Or maybe it's just the lack
of sunglasses

Wednesday will be our last day in New Bern.  If the morning holds up we may just raise the sails and split some waves.  Then - Northward!  On to the Motherland of Canada.

Hope you're having a great week!