Beaufort, NC 2006

Sunday, July 2, 2006

034-42.960 N
076-39.900 W

Ahoy from Beaufort, NC!

We made it to Beaufort on Friday afternoon with 3 gallons of diesel to spare! We had sailed for about 4 hours for a brief period where we had wind which gave us enough fuel to make it in. What I didn't count on was that a major Tall Ships festival was going on in the area and every slip in the area was reserved. We really wanted to pull in and wash down the boat (and let's be honest, have AC), so that was a disappointment.

It was the start of the 4th of July weekend and every yahoo with a boat was out running around like a fool throwing up big wakes and not paying attention. We watched one small boat turn right in the path of a sightseeing boat and almost get run over. We made it through unscathed and pulled into the Beaufort Town Docks to pick up fuel. I was able to convince them to let us a a slip for 1 night. Sue was estatic! A clean boat and AC! This was the first time that we had been in a slip since February, so this was a real treat.

I've passed through Beaufort before and always thought of it as a sleepy little town. Not this time! The main waterfront street was closed off and filled with people, bands and vendor's tents. It was the happening place to be, and we were right in the middle of it. We had a great time exploring the area and enjoying the festivities.

The smaller Tall Ships were docked along the inside of the marina so that people could look at them and we were right next to them. Life in a fish bowl! A Hatteras (large expensive powerboats) rendezvous was being held there, and we we surrounded by Hetterases. We felt like the poor stepchild with all of these multimillion dollar boats all around us. Some of the owners were nice, others wouldn't give us two words.

Today we're headed to the Deltaville in the Chesapeake Bay where BlueJacket will spend hurricane season. That's about 220 miles away and should take less than 2 days to get there with the 15 kts of of the SW. It should be a beautiful down-wind sail. Let's hope so and lets also hope that we miss any thunderstorms. I've seen more than enough of them lately!

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

-- Geoff & Sue
Log ID: 882