Taking The Weekend Off

Glen Allen, VA  

We were content with the contractors' scheduling we received yesterday. The forecast called for a rainy weekend in Beaufort. Our list of interior boat projects was dwindling. I really needed to do several loads of laundry. My mom has been struggling with some health issues. So ... we decided to take an extended road trip. We packed up a few bags this morning and headed home for the weekend. Before leaving town, however, we made a quick detour to a bakery highly-recommended by fellow cruisers. We had done our internet research and found it was only open from 8:00-3:00, Thursday through Saturday. This tiny storefront with "your friendly neighborhood boulangerie" on the window was a treat for many of the senses, but especially olfaction. It became obvious that this was more than your basic pastry shop. Bakeries who bake their bread on-premises hold the title of "boulangerie" in France. I picked up two croissants to go and we scooted out of town. The Marine Air Corps Station at Cherry Point was the first intriguing site along the way. Just outside of New Bern, we stopped to get gas and enjoyed our oh-so-flakey-and-delicious croissants.

We clicked off the uneventful miles as we made our way to I-95. When we arrived at the house, we were greeted by springtime temperatures. We turned on the water and water heater and then opened up every window and door to both air out and warm up the interior. The house was 60 degrees so it was an easy decision to go outside. After picking up several handfuls of downed sticks and limbs, I settled in my favorite spot on the deck to soak up the sun and do a little reading. This evening, watching the sun set beyond our fence was a pleasant treat. As I write this, I'm on my fifth and final load of laundry. Tomorrow we'll put several coats of varnish our name boards before joining my Mom, sister, and brother-in-law for supper. (Lisa and Robbie know, but Mom does not. Family, please keep it a surprise.) I'll take a couple of nights off from the blog, but please check back after Monday evening when we return to Beaufort. We're hoping for big things and much progress next week so we can start moving and get to The Bahamas as planned.