June 25-30 - Six Days and Five Towns/Marinas
Also:
31 hours motoring on the water
Several pounds of shrimp eaten fresh from the sea
Sunny warm weather, breezes, little rain
1 mechanical problem + several good Samaritan helpers
1 ocean beach
Lots of varied Intracoastal scenery, friendly folk and wildlife (i.e. dock and boat dogs).
Surf City, NC - Topsail Marina
It is not very often that you can walk from your marina on the Intracoastal to an ocean beach, but you can do so here.
Dock dog Shiloh gets the prettiest dock dog prize so far:
Beaufort NC - Homer Smith Marina
We took down the dinghy here for a ride over to Carrot Island, hoping to see some of the wild horses that live there. No luck on the horses, but we strolled the boardwalk in the Rachel Carson Reserve and saw some scrumptious sandy, almost deserted beaches with the clearest water seen so far. Next trip I'd give this some beach time.
Upon raising the dinghy back atop Sea Bee in the marina, the gear on the winch slipped and we found ourselves with the dinghy suspended a foot above the water and no way (seemingly) to move it. Luckily, the boat next to us was the Mafalda sailboat whose captain Miguel Soldano came to the rescue with block and tackle that he and Howard rigged to lift the boat just enough to reposition the gear. Just enough also required the strength of two Homer Smith Seafood workers, who topped off their kindness with a couple of pounds of fresh shrimp even though by now the retail operation had closed for the day.
As coincidence would have it, our rescuing sailboat captain was just returning with his young family from a year on the boat in the Caribbean to their home in Arlington VA where they live near our daughter and family. So in the Fall, we hope to thank them with a nice bottle of wine.
We didn't explore the town of Beaufort much, but we came across this historic marker. I really am not looking for these Jewish history sites, but they do catch my eye.
Finally, sunrise and sunset from our slip at Homer Smith Marina:
Oriental NC - Oriental Marina and Inn
A cozy harbor. Docked steps from the pool and tiki bar. Piggly Wiggly picked us up for a grocery shopping run.
Belhaven NC - River Forest Marina
When we were here 20 some years ago, the River Forest Manor (large white building in the photo) had a restaurant with a grand southern buffet featuring fried chicken and oyster fritters. The restaurant is gone and the Manor is now an event venue, alas. So with our complimentary golf cart provided by the marina, we explored the few gift and antique shops of Belhaven, June got a much-needed mani-pedi, and we had The Best Dinner on the Trip So Far. If you are ever within striking distance, don't miss out on an evening at Belhaven's Spoon River Artworks & Market farm-to-fork restaurant. Not cheap of course, but seriously worth every penny.
Coinjock NC - Coinjock Marina and Restaurant
On June 30, we made the long journey (7:00 - 4:30) to Coinjock, popular stopping place on the Intracoastal because of its location, facilities and restaurant offering a famous prime rib dinner and music out on the patio. Yachts of all shapes and sizes stop here and one runs into familiar boaters.
On the way the scenery is varied, from forests to cypress swamps and lots of wilderness.
31 hours motoring on the water
Several pounds of shrimp eaten fresh from the sea
Sunny warm weather, breezes, little rain
1 mechanical problem + several good Samaritan helpers
1 ocean beach
Lots of varied Intracoastal scenery, friendly folk and wildlife (i.e. dock and boat dogs).
Surf City, NC - Topsail Marina
It is not very often that you can walk from your marina on the Intracoastal to an ocean beach, but you can do so here.
 |
| Surf City beach is just on the other side of these buildings seen from our back deck. |
Dock dog Shiloh gets the prettiest dock dog prize so far:
Beaufort NC - Homer Smith Marina
We took down the dinghy here for a ride over to Carrot Island, hoping to see some of the wild horses that live there. No luck on the horses, but we strolled the boardwalk in the Rachel Carson Reserve and saw some scrumptious sandy, almost deserted beaches with the clearest water seen so far. Next trip I'd give this some beach time.
Upon raising the dinghy back atop Sea Bee in the marina, the gear on the winch slipped and we found ourselves with the dinghy suspended a foot above the water and no way (seemingly) to move it. Luckily, the boat next to us was the Mafalda sailboat whose captain Miguel Soldano came to the rescue with block and tackle that he and Howard rigged to lift the boat just enough to reposition the gear. Just enough also required the strength of two Homer Smith Seafood workers, who topped off their kindness with a couple of pounds of fresh shrimp even though by now the retail operation had closed for the day.
As coincidence would have it, our rescuing sailboat captain was just returning with his young family from a year on the boat in the Caribbean to their home in Arlington VA where they live near our daughter and family. So in the Fall, we hope to thank them with a nice bottle of wine.
We didn't explore the town of Beaufort much, but we came across this historic marker. I really am not looking for these Jewish history sites, but they do catch my eye.
Finally, sunrise and sunset from our slip at Homer Smith Marina:
Oriental NC - Oriental Marina and Inn
A cozy harbor. Docked steps from the pool and tiki bar. Piggly Wiggly picked us up for a grocery shopping run.
Belhaven NC - River Forest Marina
When we were here 20 some years ago, the River Forest Manor (large white building in the photo) had a restaurant with a grand southern buffet featuring fried chicken and oyster fritters. The restaurant is gone and the Manor is now an event venue, alas. So with our complimentary golf cart provided by the marina, we explored the few gift and antique shops of Belhaven, June got a much-needed mani-pedi, and we had The Best Dinner on the Trip So Far. If you are ever within striking distance, don't miss out on an evening at Belhaven's Spoon River Artworks & Market farm-to-fork restaurant. Not cheap of course, but seriously worth every penny.
Coinjock NC - Coinjock Marina and Restaurant
On June 30, we made the long journey (7:00 - 4:30) to Coinjock, popular stopping place on the Intracoastal because of its location, facilities and restaurant offering a famous prime rib dinner and music out on the patio. Yachts of all shapes and sizes stop here and one runs into familiar boaters.
On the way the scenery is varied, from forests to cypress swamps and lots of wilderness.
