Day 6 - Dowry Creek to Beaufort, NC

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We were lucky to be able to reserve a slip in Beaufort at the last minute. We might have anchored, but heavy weather is expected, and we'd rather be tied to a dock. I know that when you arrive early at a marina, there are more options for slips, so we got up bright and early and were off the dock at first light again this morning, around 7:15.

At the helm, not the best weather today.

Despite the gloomy weather and 2-3 foot seas in the Sound this morning, we saw a bunch of dolphins, so that made up for the gloomy surroundings.

Here's the track we made today. Cut through the Alligator River and down the Neuse River. Pretty easy ride, except a little bumpy at times and passing and being passed is not fun in the narrow channels. We got to Beaufort around 2:30. Had to dock in around 20+ knot winds, but Empty Nest has great docking capabilities, and it was a piece of cake.

On our way, we say a boat named Tamara Alane. We had to take a picture for our daughter Tamara to see, although we don't think she reads the blog, so I guess we'll find out now.

They put us right behind a 240' superyacht. It felt like we could be their tender.

There was also a huge sailboat in the marina called Kayzen. Is that yours Shiko?

The Beaufort Docks marina gave us some good angles to get pictures of Empty Nest.


The view from our stern. The crew was very friendly and told us all about their boat and their travels. I did not get up the nerve to ask for a tour.

Lots of boats anchored for free behind us. This place was not cheap, but we wanted the security of the docks, given the expected weather tomorrow. Not fun to take Gimel out to land for his walk/poop in a dingy in the rain. I guess I'll be taking him by foot in the rain tomorrow. Why does the husband always have to do the rain poop walk?

Empty Nest has the blingy lights. Can't compete with the superyacht next door, but we hold our own!


Tomorrow we are taking a day off from travel. I have several zoom meetings scheduled and a load of documents to review, and Ann is going to do some grocery and other shopping. The high tomorrow is 56 after a few days where we've had temps over 80, so it won't be a bad day to stay in and do work.

We are hoping the forecast for Thursday remains the same, and we'll do our first ocean leg from Beaufort to Wilmington.

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