They have some "special" kind of boats
And there was LOTS of fishing activity
We went out in the ICW, and behind the port of Morehead City, and found this waterway with lots of marinas and restaurants
We stopped at the one above...and tied our dinghy up right under our lunch table
Back at Beaufort Docks...the big boats were starting to come in for the night
You can see HQ in the center...the boat on the left (in this picture) is called Primma Donna and we plan on hooking up with them when we get to Florida
My log tells the story of the large boat in this picture Freedom...they came in about 4 pm.
Log 181
Day 529
Sunday, November 01, 2009
8:30 AM EST
Location: Beaufort Docks; Beaufort, NC.
Weather: 75 degrees, with light rain
Here’s what’s been going on the last few days...
Friday...spent the day doing chores. While Deb went to a laundry mat and did 8 loads of clothes (which took about 5 hours) I worked on the boat. I cleaned the strainers; did my engine room checks; fixed the Velcro on the side doors; put new stainless screws in the helm doors; and did some touch up spots of waxing that needed attention. The neighbors on both sides of our boat were also working on their boats, and both commented that “there’s always a boat list to be worked on”. I agree. The weather was almost perfect. Light winds, and mid 70’s. I started out with my jeans on, but quickly discovered that shorts were in order. During our work, we did find time to check out another cheeseburger place. The place was called Royal George Cafe, and advertised “the best cheeseburgers in Beaufort”. The menu said they were the oldest continually operated restaurant in Beaufort, being operated since the mid 60’s. Anyway...the cheeseburgers were $2.50, and I was a little concerned, but, they turned out to be the size of a McDonald’s cheeseburger...only better. The place was not much to write home about, but both Deb and I enjoyed the food. Back at the boat in the afternoon, I spent cocktail hour watching NASCAR race practice at Talladega, and Deb finished organizing all the laundry she had done. For dinner, we had pork chops (on the stove) and dressing that Deb and made yesterday. The movie was an episode of Mentalist, and The Amazing Race. Just before calling it a night (for me anyway) we heard a little commotion on the dock, and saw that a 100 foot yacht that had been on the T head of our dock, was getting ready to leave. We asked if they wanted any help, and they readily accepted. They were leaving for New York (which is a little strange for this time of year) which is about a 70 hour run out in the Atlantic.
Saturday...nice night overnight, with tempratures only dropping to 70. I didn’t have to use any heat in the helm area, as I went out to work on my computer. A little cloudy, but the sun is just starting to show itself in the eastern sky. The marina was completely full last night, and before first light boats were starting to leave. As I write this, it’s 7:10 am and you can see lots of activity on many boats...most of them getting ready to leave. If it’s like a typical day here, most of the slips will be empty before noon.
We spent the morning with light boat chores; cleaning isinglass; wiping down the boat; and some organizing. Deb was cooking chicken broth, and preparing to make chili. At 11 am we jumped in the dinghy and took a long ride around the area. Very cool. We ended up going all around Beaufort, and worked out way out into the ICW, and over the Morehead City. We found a channel behind the port of Morehead City, and that took us behind an island, and to a very cool area with marina’s and restaurants...which we took advantage of, and had some great flounder, while sitting on the dock, overlooking the dinghy. We were back at HQ by 3 pm to see all the boat activity, as the marina filled up for the night. This was quite a show. Every slip was filled, and (as we monitored the VHF radio) we could hear them turning away boats who wanted to come in. Several big boats came in as well. Including Freedom, who is the sister ship to U.S.S. Sequoia...a Presidential Yacht, put into service in the 1920’s. The difference is Freedom is privately owned, and in awesome shape. She is headed for Palm Beach to meet her owners. (We first saw Freedom when she was docked next to us in Newport, RI.). By 7 pm, all boats were in, and the show was over. For dinner we had BLT’s and sweet corn, and watched and episode of Survivor.
Sunday @ 6:15 EST (we’ve switched to standard time now)...I started untying boats before I had my first cup of coffee this morning. One of our neighbors, Bill, on Prima Donna was already running when I came up to the helm area, so I walked out to talk to him and help him with his lines. (side note: We found out Bill and Donna keep their boat on Sanibel Island in Florida, and we plan to look them up when we get down there, so Bill and I can go fishing) He found out this morning that he had a port running light (the red one) that did not work, so he waited until you could just barely see daylight, before he took off. When he did that, there must have been another 6 or 7 boats leave as well. It’s now only 6:15, and at least 10 boats are on their way south. Part of me wants to untie the lines and go with them, the other part is looking forward to a relaxing day watching racing and football. But, I do look forward to heading out tomorrow. We have about 18 days of cruising ahead of us to get to Cape Coral...and 36 days to get it done in. Our plan is to be in Cape Coral by December 7th...but if the weather holds, we’ll be there sooner.
It rained overnight, and from the looks of the radar, the rain has just moved through, and that should be it for the day. It got to a low of 72 last night, and the forecast says that will be our high...in fact the forecast calls for a high of 68 today. Guess they missed that?
Back to boats leaving...it’s fun to see the patterns in a transient marina like this one. There is always a group of boats that seem like they can not wait to leave, and they have their engines running, with the radar turning, and running lights on, way before first light. As soon as they can they head out. The next group is about an hour behind them. They plan to leave early...but not at first light. The last group, leaves about 9 to 10 am...they slept in a little; enjoyed their breakfast; and wiped down the boat; then they untie the lines and head out. Chances are that many of them end up at the same place at the end of the day...they just arrive at different times. In case anyone was wondering...I’m in the first group.
Well, it’s now 8:15...and time to send this log. I’ve had a great biscuit and gravy breakfast aboard & walked into town to check things out. It just started raining again, not hard, but just a steady sprinkle. The temperature is now 75...so much for the high of 68 they forecast. Looking to the west, the sky looks nice, and promises to be a better day than predicted. In a couple of hours, I’ll have a Sunday bloody mary. In 3 hours, I’ll start the chili, and prerace activities will begin. This afternoon, I’ll be watching the race on TV, and the football games on the computer. Who knows...maybe I’ll even get a nap in. Life is good on Headquarters.
I’ll keep you posted.
Bob
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