Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy Independence Day (Beaufort, NC)


Remember how we were somewhat amazed that Wilmington would just close down a 4-lane US Highway on demand for any old boat? Well, Beaufort doesn't have that. No bridge raising during rush hour and then only at half-hour intervals. After spending all day sailing, we waited a long 10 minutes for the bridge to go up and then squeezed the boat through what seemed like a pretty narrow opening.

The anchorage is just on the other side of the bridge. When we got there, the anchorage was swarming with sailing dinghies from the local summer camp. We spent about an hour anchored temporarily nearby while we waited for the boats to clear since we didn't want to run anyone over. Afterwards we figured out that most boats just kind of plow through and the sailing dinghies will make way. Theoretically. We were okay with waiting.

We had dinner and then went to town for dessert. It was nice to be off the boat after five days. The boys celebrated by running through town screaming at the top of their lungs. We just fed them ice-cream and pretended they were someone else's children.

July 4th in Beaufort was just what you would expect from a small coastal town. We went to the parade, which was surprisingly entertaining and refreshingly creative. We loved the Maritime Museum and spent hours there. After hot dogs for lunch and haircuts on the transom for all the boys, we spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach playing with a girl from another boat. After dark we got to watch Beaufort's fireworks show, which was 100 yards away and a very respectable effort.

Weather permitting, we will head up to Norfolk, Virginia on Monday.

 

 
 
 
 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Add a comment: