4/25 Beaufort, NC - New Bern, NC

43 mi., 3 hrs.
Overcast, 70's, slight chop

We got up early this morning and took the loaner car the marina provided (nice touch) to Amanda's surprise father's day gift. I was really puzzled as we drove out of town and pulled into a small private airport. The surprise was to be a tour of the Outer Banks by plane. How cool is that; but sadly it was to overcast to see anything, so after a brief chat with the pilot and a promise to schedule when we return in the fall, it was back to the boat. Amanda was so disappointed after all her work; but now I really have an incentive to come back.

About 10:30 we left Beaufort and passed by Moorehead City and into Taylor Creek headed for the Neuse River. It's about a 2 hr trip to the Neuse and like so much of the trip the variety of scenery is wonderful. It just seems there is never a chance to get bored.

The Neuse is a large river that appears to be largely uninhabited. It reminded me a great deal of the large lakes in Canada where my Dad & I went fishing.

It was about an hour trip up the river to New Bern and to the Sheraton Hotel and Marina. The hotel is a convention type hotel with a nice marina.


We got in about 1:30 and took the hotel shuttle to the airport where Amanda rented a car for the trip back to Charleston. After taking me to the store to pick up some items, she headed south, planning to do some sightseeing and scouting stops for future trips on the way home. I was sad to see her go; but so glad she was with me from the start.

So now I have time to do some chores (change filters, clean, etc.) and an evening by myself before Lois arrives tomorrow.