4/24 Bald Head Island, NC - Beaufort, NC

100 mi., 6 hrs
Hazy AM, Sunny PM, warm, 2-4 waves with slight chop

We left Bald Head Island about 8:45 AM and started up the ICW headed for Beaufort. We weren't sure what to expect in the ICW, and what a change it was from the day before.

The ICW was pretty and interesting; but after a couple of hours we decided that with having to slow for traffic, no wake zones, and the occasional wrong turn, that we would go back offshore and head straight for Beaufort. Besides, Amanda had a surprise waiting for me in Beaufort. She won't tell me what it is; but she is really excited and frustrated with the scheduling and delays so about 10:30 we reentered the Atlantic at Mason Inlet (Wrightsville Beach) and headed to Beaufort. Again it was set the auto pilot and just be aware.

We arrived at the city docks in Beaufort about 1:30 PM. Once we were tied up and settled in Amanda headed off to check on her surprise plans and do some shopping. I explored the town and just kind of "visited" the shore. We appear to be in between the transient boat traffic going north and the summer tourist season, so there marinas and towns are empty and quiet.

Beaufort is a quaint town with little shops, galleries, Blackbeard, Treasure Island, and the southern tip of the Outer Banks their main claims to fame. In general a wonderful little town now,but I wonder what it's like "in season".

After a nice dinner ashore and a few hands of gin rummy; it was to bed to prepare for Amanda's surprise tomorrow morning, and then the trip into New Bern.