Wednesday - April 5

  I forgot to mention a big milestone yesterday......Miss Maeve's 1st tooth poked thru.    She was the exact same age to the day as Luke when he got his 1st tooth!      😁

We left our anchorage at 8:15 and cruised 65 miles to Beaufort (Bo-fert), NC (as opposed to Bew-fert, SC) .   we arrived here at 1:15 and mostly cloudy along the way and not so windy as we've had.   This is another favorite little town and since the weather is going to become "snotty" (as our friend Charlotte calls it), we are going to hunker down and enjoy a few days off the water.    Lot of rain expected and very strong winds tomorrow and Friday.    We are ready to explore this charming town once again....

The last time we were here (by car) was April 30, 2016 with Brooke's parents, brother and family and friends, Mark and Barbara from New Bern.    We had all been to see the Blue Angels in Cherry Point and drove here for dinner at Clawson's.   And we were back there for lunch today - excellent!

Along the way we saw this...

 A pretty pink house with a pink lighthouse and...

matching boat!    Can't say we've ever seen a pink boat before?
Perhaps it has something to do with Mary Kay?

We saw so many gorgeous azaleas at homes along the NC coast.   And these beautiful
 blooms are here in Beaufort for our enjoyment!

Big tubs of pretties are along Front Street

And 2 of many lovely Southern homes on Front Street

I browsed the shops - just one after another and all so unique and cute.    I really oohed and aahed standing in front of the windows of a neat women's clothing shop called "Southern Frock".....but not opening till Mid May.    😞

We had BLT's and deviled eggs for supper and here we go again.....waiting for another storm to pass followed by the rain and wind thru Friday!

Can't think of a better place to be......






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday - April 4

Homes, homes and so many more homes.     That's what we saw today as we cruised 143 miles

(7:45 - 5:25).   

 

After the wild winds from yesterday in Georgetown, today started out so calm and most of the day was a nice ride.    Very strong winds came back this afternoon, though, but the sunshine was with us most of the day

 

With the Atlantic to our right as we headed north, we passed soooo many homes - big and small + many were huge rentals and they are all up and down the coast for miles and miles and miles!

 

A beach lover and vacation paradise!

 

We are anchored out tonight near the ocean off Topsail Beach, NC 

Mark grilled Italian sausages - yum!     Most marinas do not allow using grills on boats, so....when at anchor, we can have these treats!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday - April 3

Stormy night in Georgetown, SC.......after a great start to the day, the nasty weather that's been coming across the country has finally hit us!

 

We left Isle of Palms at 8:35, cruised 54 miles and arrived in Georgetown at noon.    We had the wind behind us today so much better than yesterday; however, as we were coming into the Harborwalk Marina, we turned directions and whoaaaa....headed directly into the wind and they were stronger than yesterday!    So glad to be tied up and batten down the hatches waiting for tonight's storm!

 

Georgetown is one of the little towns in the south we may consider moving to once we put down some roots.    Each time we visit, we find something else that we really like.    I did some shopping and have memories of being here in September, 2013 with Linda and Vicki (sisters-in-law) shopping for our grandchildren.    And then 5 days later, there was a very tragic fire that destroyed several businesses including Doodlebugs (children's shop).    There is a tall black fence that stands where the old historic buildings (with apartments upstairs) used to be.

 

Fortunately those business have relocated and doing well.    They may make those vacant lots into a park-like area.    I did 2 loads off laundry in the afternoon - we had planned to walk thru the historic residential area, but while we were at dinner - River Room (another good one), the threatening weather was coming, so we hightailed it back to Catrina and now listening to the pounding rain.    The radar looks ugly!!!

 

Mark and I both recently finished reading "The Maltese Falcon" - good book and written in 1929!

 

Moving on tomorrow, but as always, another pleasant visit to Georgetown!

Sunday - April 2

 Whew.....very strong winds today out of the northeast.    We were going right smack into the wind all day long - 78.5 miles.  We drove Catrina from the bridge and occasionally from down below.   So, we were bundled up in hooded sweatshirts and jackets while the folks flying past us going south were in shorts and several guys had no shirts on!    Just wait till they turn around!    Ha.....

We left Beaufort at 8:50 and arrived at the Isle of Palms Marina on Morgan Creek at 2:45.    What a pretty area with lovely homes all around us!

The ride thru Charleston Harbor was very choppy with many sailboats racing and other pleasure boaters out this Sunday afternoon.

We settled in and checked out the Harbor Market which has everything a boater could possibly need or want.   I went for a long walk thru Morgan Cove admiring all the homes and the neat low country architecture!      Later, Mark went with me to the ocean!   Feels so good to walk after sitting all day1

The Morgan Creek Grill is near the marina - restaurant on main floor with floor to ceiling windows and bar and grill upstairs.   We ate in the dining room and had thee most wonderful meal.    It was packed and the service was excellent with a very efficient wait staff.

My Aunt Dee had talked about Triggerfish and how good it was (her friend prepares it).....it was on the menu so that's what I had and Mark had the South Carolina swordfish.    Both were fantastic along with sharing an awesome beet salad, and a basket of wonderful bread with just a
hint of corn meal!

Walking back to the boat - burr....still windy and temps dropped down in the 60's.

Passed Fort Sumter where Brady and Brooke were just a few days ago

Lovely home near here

My triggerfish

Mark's swordfish

Tomorrow we are off to Georgetown, SC.....another favorite!



 

Saturday - April 1

It's April......and happy memories of my Mom's birthday celebrated on this April Fools Day!

Happy Birthday, Mom....Love you and miss you so much1

She would've been 98.

 

We left Isle of Hope at 8:45 this morning and another clear, sunny day!    Short day of cruising (51 miles)     We walked downtown and had a fantastic lunch at "Wren", one of our favorites from past visits.   Our waitress, Andrea, old us about their excellent chicken salad which people come into buy by the lb.     So we bought a lb. and enjoyed some tonight with crackers for a light supper  - cranberry/pecan/chicken - delish!!!    After lunch, Mark set off for the "Chocolate Tree" for a chocolate fix (too bad Liam and Connor weren't here)......I browsed the shops and bought some birthday presents for Luke who turns 4 next Saturday.

 

We went for a walk in the afternoon - it is so pretty here along the waterfront with many swings and benches, brick pathways, parks, playground, etc.   And of course, great shops and eateries.    Many families out and about.   As always, Beaufort is always so welcoming and no wonder, it was just named "The Best Small Town in the South" by Southern Living!   

 

After a full day of cruising thru the Georgia swamp land, it was just a perfect day

to stroll around this charming town...

 

Uh ooooooh

These 2 Goobers got into Auntie Annette's make-up and Miss Blair decided Luke needed

 a bit of touch-up!    

We may have a budding make-up artist in the family?