I arrived into Wilmington, North Carolina, just time for a gorgeous sunset on Thursday night.

This little riverside town is so much fun. My accomodation is a gorgeous little second story one bedroom apartment on the riverwalk. With the best sunset views right over the Cape Fear River and lots of fabulous restaurants and bars so close.

Friday started at the Dixie Grill, classic American breakfast diner, such a great place. Then I explored Downtown.

Late afternoon it was time to head off for my sunset cruise. I had been speaking to the couple that own it for a couple of months trying to book in a date, so I was very excited to have been able to join a tour. Traveling solo, sometimes it can be a little hard to book tours as most have a minimum booking of two people.

But these guys were amazing and kept me in mind for this weekend and added me to a great bunch of people for the Friday night sunset and full moon cruise. The moon was supposed to be AMAZING as it was a harvest moon. One that won’t come around again for years and years. I was really excited to see it.

So . . . I met up with everyone (when I say everyone, there were only 5 other guests and the two owners – such a nice sized group). The boat was moored at a marina near Wrightsville Beach. When I arrived the sky above was not looking that clear for that magical sunset and amazing moon I had been told about.

The boat was a classic old Maine lobster boat beautifully restored.

After a beautiful greeting from the wonderful owners – like their long lost daugher had come home again – I met the other guests who were one whole party, so for a minute I felt like I was a crashing their cruise. But they were so great, I felt like I was part of their party as soon as the introductions were over.

They were in thier late 60s/early 70s and soooooo much fun. All had lead fascinating lives and I spent the evening listening to their stories. One couple used to frequent Studio 54 nightclub in New York in the 60’s and 70’s – they had some very funny and interesting stories to tell.

About 20 minutes into the cruise we saw a few fins pop up out of the water, a pod of dolpins had also come to join the party – Magical!!

A few minutes later those pesky clouds got ALOT darker and before long, Captain Axel had the boat turned around and we were running from the squall that was headed our way.

Batten down the hatches, it was time to move the party inside while it bucketed down. It didn’t last for long. So we dried off our seats and resumed the party outside.

We drove about the beautiful intracoastal waterways of Wrightsville Beach for a few hours, seeing stunning views. Captain Axel would stop the boat at times and tell us a few stories of where we were and a little historical anecdotes.

The rest of the evening was spent drinking, laughing, listening to stories and NOT seeing a sunset or the moon thanks to the storm and clouds. Not too worry, I have a few more days to witness the gorgeous sunsets of Wilmington, plus the cruise was so much fun and the rain just added to the atmosphere.

Off on a Brews and Brunch tour today visiting 3 micro breweries, where I’m sure I’ll meet another bunch of great folks.