Beaufort NC Aboard Veritas

After a 48 hour offshore run from Beaufort, South Carolina to Beaufort, North Carolina aboard Veritas, we were ready for a rest. We took care of business at the marina, then laid down for a nap at 2:00 pm and awoke around 7:00 pm ready to explore our new port. Beaufort is cute with a charming downtown, a maritime museum and lots of great seafood restaurants. It is a short mile walk from Towne Creek Marina to the bustling downtown area. Walking is challenging with sea legs; not to mention the aches we feel all over from the jostling we endured.

Towne Point Marina at night

Eclectic little floater in the bay
Beaufort, NC

Local B&B

Pretty Patio

Pink Bike - reminded us of Tarpon Springs

Old houses here

Gated Garden

Dave in the tourist photo

The flags of Beaufort

Cool Cleat Bench

We stumbled across one of two local microbreweries, Fishtowne Brew House, which is closed on Tuesdays but close enough to our marina that we knew we would be able to return. When we did, we enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and delicious cold brew. The bar was filled with friendly locals who easily connected with us.

Fishtowne Brew House

Towne Creek Marina is nice with great showers, a Tiki Bar which opens in the evening, a restaurant, laundry and a huge porch that we are encouraged to stoop on in lovely rockers. I noticed that the chairs rock even when empty and I wondered if sailors from days gone by come to visit and enjoy the breeze, as well as the gentle motion and peace on this porch.

Red Chairs at Tiki Hut

Beth, Roy (Dave), Susan and David

Beth Reflection

David Fueling Veritas

Roy helping provision

The porch at Towne Creek Marina

Beth on the porch

Dave on the porch

We visited the Maritime museum which is free but donations are accepted. We enjoyed meandering through the museum where we learned about the history of North Carolina and the Outer Banks area. The volunteers were friendly and informative. They were excited to hear about our adventures aboard Mystic and Veritas.

Maritime Museum Watercraft Center

Maritime Museum ~ Beaufort, NC

Watercraft Center

Huge Block

Watercraft Center Ship model Shop

Lots of Pirates

Girl Power

Blackbeard

Dave and I visited the historic cemetery in town, three times. There is something about old burial grounds that is sacred and comforting. There is certainly a lot of history here in Beaufort! The most moving site was that of a little girl buried in a rum casket. She died on the ship bringing her family from England. Her father promised her she would make it to America so when she died, he preserved her in rum then buried her in Beaufort. Folks visit her grave and leave trinkets behind.

1731 Old Burial Ground Beaufort, NC

Grave of the Rum Girl

Random Door at Cemetery
Maybe the door to Heaven?

Beautiful stained glass

We met several transient boaters at the marina, including a couple on a Kadey Krogen named "Sea Life". They had a big old grey tabby cat, the size of a dog, which they kept on a leash. He was a scaredy cat, very timid and afraid of the strangers on the dock. We also met a couple on a beautiful Taswell 43 sailboat named "Ursa Minor". They were doing bright work which reminded me of how much work I have to do once we get back to Mystic.

Kadey-Krogen Sea Life

Beautiful Taswell 43 Ursa Minor

We planned to leave Thursday morning but David Taylor found a broken bolt in the alternator during his pre-cruise engine check. It had to be fixed before we could continue north so we delayed for another day. This allowed for more exploring. The four of us walked into town and had dinner at Moonraker. The food was amazing; dessert was decadent. We walked back to the marina in the dark but we felt safe. This is a place to revisit. Our next port is Oriental, North Carolina, only about 28 miles away. Tomorrow should be easy.

Dave enjoying sunset off Beaufort

One of the gifts of living aboard ~ Sunsets