Changing Our View

Beaufort to Belhaven  |  8.1 Hours  |  58.3 Miles  

The moment finally arrived. We pulled out of our slip just before 8:00, said farewell to Town Creek Marina, passed under the bridge that has been a permanent fixture in my sunset photos, and departed Beaufort.  

A light drizzle fell and required the occasional use of our windshield wipers. Our eyes were wide open and our heads on swivels as we excitedly took in all the views and activities associated with water travel. Three dolphins escorted us into Core Creek. Pelicans glided inches from the water. Once in Adams Creek a work barge carrying artificial reefs passed. Hundreds of birds flew in formation close to the water. As we exited into the Neuse River we spotted a derelict sailboat in the grasses, demasted and headsail shredded. The Neuse was remarkably calm and we had an easy ride without a single drop of spray over the bow. The clouds were beginning to break and we were kept alert by occasional southbound vessels -- a car ferry and a trawler smaller than us. 

By noon it was a beautiful day and we were enjoying the bright sun heating up the pilothouse. 

A waterman in short sleeves watched as we passed alongside his boat in the Hobucken Canal. Keeping a long-running tradition alive, I snapped a photo of the shrimp boats at the RE Mayo dock. The day went by quickly and it was wonderful to be moving again. By 4:00 we had followed our previous tracks inside the breakwater in Belhaven and dropped our anchor in a familiar spot. We cleaned up and relaxed a bit before dinner. Once the chicken was in the oven it was time to go outside and view the sunset. Mother Nature did not disappoint in the nightly show of colors. It was, however, weird not seeing the Beaufort Bridge in the foreground. The beauty of cruising is the opportunity to continually change our view. I could get used to this one, but we will take advantage of good weather and move again tomorrow.