Destination Washington

Saturday we thought it would be good to ride to Washington since we hadn't been that way in quite some time. I am referring to Washington, NC, Little Washington or The Original Washington and not that place much farther north. There was a thirty percent chance of afternoon rain, it was already in the high eighties with the normal oppressive humidity by 10:30 am.

Our city of approximately 10,000 residents is located in northeastern North Carolina on the beautiful Pamlico River. We are proud to have been the first city in America to be named for General George Washington, the future first president of the United States. In its infancy, Washington was a regional shipping center because of its strategic location at the junction of inland and coastal rivers. The shipping heritage is evident in some waterfront commercial buildings from that era. The architecture in the large residential and commercial Historic District captures later phases of Washington's history and development. Main Street in Washington's Historic Downtown is flanked by 19th & early 20th century commercial buildings punctuated with ornate brickwork.

It's about a forty five minute ride from New Bern to Washington on 17 North. There's a fairly rough section of road about half way from Vanceboro to Washington but the Ultra seemed to take it in stride. We did remember how rough it was when we rode the same stretch on the Sportster. The only other road issue is the draw bridge leading in to Washington. The bridge grate tends to give your bike that mild wobble feel and they have patched some spots with steel plating and bolts through the grating. Keep a sharp eye out for that especially if it's wet.

We parked at the waterfront when we arrived in Washington. I wish New Bern had developed their waterfront like they have done here. It's a beautiful stretch of the river with both private and public boat slips, picnic tables, benches and restrooms. In New Bern we have the Sheraton like a squatting giant blocking the river view.



A great place for a summer stroll. There are lots of events held here throughout the year.








Main street shows the style from years gone by and reflects the laid back life style that I, and many of my friends, enjoy. You almost expect to run into Andy or Barney.






No visit to Washington would be complete without a visit to Bill's Hot Dogs. If you want ketchup with your dog then you're out of luck 'cause it's mustard, onions and chili. The chili is something you have never had unless you have eaten a Bill's hot dog.





As usual things were quite busy on a Saturday. They have an assembly line process that would make an efficiency expert proud.







We grabbed a couple with mustard and extra chili along with a couple of drinks and headed back to the water front to have a picnic lunch at one of the tables that the city had so nicely provided.





There was a gift shop across the street and we dropped in for a look around. After seeing some art work I applied some effects to one of the photos I took of the waterfront and the picture to the left is the result.





Debbie wanted to head to Williamston after lunch so we hit 17 North once again for the 20 minute ride. After a stop in Williamston we headed back to New Bern. The road north of Washington is literally lined with miles of farm land and the crops of tobacco, soy beans, corn and peanuts. We were listening to the radio when they mentioned some thunderstorms in the New Bern area but things were clear between Williamston and Washington. I felt it was time to accelerate our forward progress.

As we hit the Craven/Beaufort county line near the fire tower things started to look a bit different. I started thinking of places to get in out of the weather: there is the store on the left before Vanceboro and there is the store in Vanceboro that has a shelter. As we neared Vanceboro the storm appeared to be worse to the west so I decided to continue on. So far just a small amount of rain that was no bother and the temperature had fallen to the low eighties. Then the wind picked up a good bit and the slight drizzle increased. I remembered the rest area and as we passed that I remembered the store in Askins but I passed that by as well thinking we could make it. We had just passed the Wildlife store and I felt we had it made when the bottom fell out with only three miles to go. It's hard to believe that seventy three degrees can be cold on a late July day but trust me it happens. Even with the rain it was a good ride and we have plans to return to check out the restaurant near the waterfront. Washington is well worth a trip and there is much, much more that you will find interesting.