Another Day Implementing Plan B

Beaufort   

We were all set to begin our exploration of the area this morning. Last night I plugged several destinations into Google Maps, routing our stops to avoid outside activities after the anticipated mid-day arrival of rain. In the light of dawn, it was quickly apparent that we would have to once again move to Plan B. Heavy, pea soup fog blanketed Town Creek. We couldn't even make out the surface of the water across the dock. We slowed our morning activities -- more time for reading and catching up on news/sports -- hoping the fog would burn off. By 9:00 there was slight improvement, but not enough. Time to do some stretching and exercises, then get a shower. (Note: The piling did not sink. The floating dock rose on the piling as the tide came in.) By 11:00 visibility had improved, but we eagerly delayed our travels for another reason. Our frame contractor, Eric, came by to go over plans, materials, and scheduling. With everyone on the same page, supplies will be ordered for delivery late next week. Afterwards we were feeling a little better knowing that repairs were progressing. The heavy cloud cover prevented the temperature from rising. We grabbed those freshly delivered heavy coats and went outside to get a few chores done before the rain began.

We removed the name boards from atop the pilot house and will let them dry in preparation for refinishing. Barry took care of some paperwork at the office as the rain began to fall. The rocking chair on the large covered porch was comfortable; the chill in the air not so much. Our Plan B was taken directly from the Aging Travelers' Playbook: we went to Walmart to stretch our legs. On the way back to the marina we stopped in at the Crystal Coast visitors center to pick up a few more travel brochures. Their scaled-down replica of the Cape Lookout Lighthouse was the most scenic thing we saw all day.

Rain continued for the remainder of the afternoon and the wind strengthened as well. We flipped through all the brochures before darkness settled over us. There were no bright colors tonight, just a gradual fade to black. It has been one week since "The Storm" altered our travel plans, but we're one week closer to being underway once again.