Been awhile since I wrote an update. I figured I would give Dawn a break and summarize our nearly three week stay in Beaufort NC.
From following our blog you know we had intended to stay a few days in Beaufort to spend some quality time and catch up with our three-dimensional friends (work, boating, and life), Jeff and Melissa Davis. They live aboard their boat, Flip Flop, and always spend July and August in Beaufort. We quickly found out why they love it here and converted our week reservation to a monthly. We didn’t think we would stay a month but that was a much lower rate. That’s one of the joys of boating while retired, you can change your plans and mind daily!!
Jeff and Melissa had made reservations at their favorite spot, The Beaufort Grocery, on our arrival date. Don’t let the name fool you. We had one of the best meals of our journey here. It was great seeing them and catching up. These next few weeks were going to be special with them around.
We put our tender in on the second day of our arrival, and used it several times to explore the creeks around Beaufort Docks.
Within easy walking distance were several restaurants, bars, shopping. This was a different experience for us with everything so close and convenient. Beaufort draws people from Raleigh and Greenville who purchase vacation homes here. That makes the weekends very busy. The bars all have live music on the weekends and we enjoyed going out many nights for beers and music!
We even found a pool hall, the Royal James Cafe, that reminded us of Monroe’s in Americus from our college days. $2 hotdogs, $3 double-cheeseburgers, and cold $2 draft beers. I’m in heaven!!! The name is the swankiest part of this place!
The marina has some clunker loaner cars, and Jeff has his truck here. So I ran a bunch of errands to restock our supplies. Of course I made about 10 trips to various marine supply stores to complete several needed boat projects.
The Davis’s had another couple on aboard for a week, Bob and Sue along with Basil, their dog. They traveled to Beaufort from their home in Wrightsville Beach via their center console. So during the week they invited us along for several boat rides. Charlie had a big time twinning with Basil!
On one trip we went to Oreintal NC. That proved costly for us as we purchased a new dingy. Completely unplanned and totally spur of the moment.
Dawn and I took the ferry to Cape Lookout to see the lighthouse and island. It was a great day for a ferry ride. It was super hot exploring the island though. It’s a beautiful area and a favorite anchorage in good weather.
Alas, all good things must end and it is time for us to move on north. We’ll head out tomorrow morning for River Dunes Marina in Oriental NC. We’ll spend a couple of days here so we can pick up the new dingy. Dawn picks up the blog next!
Fair winds and following seas to all!
Captain Richard
Life on board M/V GloriaUs 