I Love It When A Plan Comes Together

Beaufort    

The Plan was hatched in October at a Panera in Durham, NC. Over lunch, my friend Ellen and I realized there was a very good chance both of us would be in Beaufort on this very day. She and her husband Brian would be in the area on vacation when Barry and I arrived on Crossroads. I was so excited yesterday when we were able to put the final details together. Brian and Ellen picked us up this morning and we enjoyed catching up over brunch in Morehead City. Afterwards, they joined us aboard Crossroads for the nickel tour. The ceremonial selfie was taken on the docks under the bright sunshine of a beautiful afternoon. Following final goodbyes, Barry and I set out on a walk into Beaufort. The marina's palm tree set against the bright blue sky made it look like a warm summer day. Not quite. It was chilly, but not cold. There was a breeze, but it was not windy. Overall, we couldn't complain too much about the weather. A walk down Turner Street carried us over Town Creek and terminated at Taylor Creek. The "welome" sign also channeled thoughts of warmer days.

Along Front Street, however, signs of Christmas and winter were still all around. The town Christmas tree was positioned in a waterfront parking lot. The grand front porches of historic homes were even more beautiful with the addition of elegant holiday greenery. We spotted several camellias, but none were prettier than the one loaded with deep red blooms. Not far away, more mixed signals came from the presence of the flowering narcissus. Hurry up spring! At the end of Front Street we spotted Ellen and Brian's condo across the inlet on Radio Island. 

We continued our loop back along the boardwalk and admired the Beaufort mural as well as the boats on Taylor Creek. While much of what we saw was comfortably familiar, signs of development and further commercialization were also very apparent. 

I don't really want to think of Beaufort having a Margaritaville property. We love Beaufort for all of its quiet charm and natural beauty that can be seen from atop the Turner Street bridge.

Once back to Crossroads we could see Slip Away docked across the creek. It was good to know that Tom and Pat had made it in during high tide. As the sun continued its descent, the sport fishers behind us glowed in the warm sunlight. In contrast to yesterday's chop, this evening the water was still and cast perfect reflections. 

Back to the main event, the day closed in spectacular fashion. I'm still smiling while thinking about how our plan actually came together. It was a fortunate coincidence of time and place.