After spending the better part of the past two days down on the Crystal Coast ( Morehead City / Beaufort / Atlantic Beach ⛱️), it’s time to shift the focus over to New Bern.

The tagline for Pepsi Cola has been ” Born in the Carolinas ” for quite some time now. It turns out that New Bern is the actual place where it was created back in the day.

You can actually visit the original shop, pictured above, and purchase a beverage in the same manner that they did in the beginning. A nod to Pappy Meade for pointing 👉 me in that direction.

New Bern is on the water 💧and has a number of elevated bridges that offer pretty views.

While it’s a great time for sports in North Carolina with the Canes hosting the Stanley Cup and the Heels in prime position out in Omaha ( don’t forget professional softball debuting in Durham), the local school is East Carolina University. ECU sits just 40 miles above New Bern, and the Pirates ☠️ nickname is in honor of Black Beard. It turns out that the notorious Pirate was from these parts.

The original nickname was ” Teachers,” and that makes me smile ! Anytime you can put teachers in a positive light is a great thing !

What would their Mascot have looked like ?

The Teachers would eventually lose out to the Pirates, so now we have our uplifting thought for today – teachers, don’t let anyone steal your joy, not even a Pirate !

It’s time to go exploring !

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Thank you, Brother Osborne !

Have yourself a Blessed Day 🙌