Beaufort and River Dunes NC. August 16-22

We spent three days in Beaufort (again BO fort) as the  CAT technician could not get to us until Wednesday morning.  Long story short, it was a throttle sensor unit and they had one in stock.  So thankfully by early afternoon we were repaired.  Nothing major.
We took nice walks on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings....early to beat the heat....we were back from our hour long walks by 8:15 each morning. It is fun walking around all these small towns early in the morning seeing all the beautiful old homes.  I'm just glad I don't have to maintain them!

 Our marina was at the top of the map by the sailboat.

Lot's of history in Beaufort.  We'll have to stop on the way back south in the Fall and hit some museums and such.  It was just too hot to do much of anything during the day while we were here!
Tuesday night we went to dinner with some fellow Loopers, Mike and Patsy (Gypsy). There aren't too many Loopers around these parts at this time of year except those like us who are just doing some cruising before heading south for another winter season.

They are getting used to the boat they purchased recently in Florida and were headed to New Bern to visit.  We went to a restaurant that was recommended to us by some other boaters in Surf City.  It's name was Aqua and it was not on main street but on an alleyway behind it.  But boy was it ever good!  If you will be in Beaufort looking for a dining opportunity, consider this one!
We borrowed the courtesy car, OK so it was actually the marina owners nice pick up, on Wednesday afternoon to go get some groceries and other supplies.  It was an 8 mile or so one way trip into Morehead City and its a slow 35-45 MPH drive.  OK, so it's fast compared to 9 knots, just slow for a wheeled vehicle!  Got the vehicle back by 4 PM closing time so the owner could get home!  Homer Smith Marina certainly has the Southern hospitality thing going!  Thanks for a nice stay!
Julie found our next destination by reviewing other's blogs...thanks Ben and Jane (Jammin Jane) for the recommendation!  And congratulations in advance for completing the Loop....we know you are close to Door county by now!
River Dunes is a newer development still underway.  Here we are entering the channel.

The marina has a pool, hot tub, bicycles, restaurant (although only open on Friday and Saturday), kayaks and stand up paddle boards (OK so we didn't use the paddle boards) and courtesy car.

A short courtesy car ride away is a small Piggly Wiggly in Oriental that had a great selection for a small store.  Apparently they made national news this spring when the Wal Mart Express closed and they took over the facility.  Wal Mart had driven out the previous grocer so the locals are happy!  Anyways, I hope they survive, the owner is really working hard at it and the staff is very friendly and helpful.

On Friday we had a pretty rainy day so we had a Downton Abbey marathon aboard (thanks River Dunes for a great wifi!).  Saturday and Sunday mornings we took long walks around the whole development, checking out some of the new construction.  It is interesting to see all the lots that are sold as they post the name and the city of the owners.  NY, NJ, Virginia, Florida, etc are all represented even Dillon Colorado! Looks like some are building in phases as well.  Some have a garage with guest quarters above completed prior to the main home.  Others have a main home and one or even two guest cottages on the site.  Julie and I think we could be house sitters at any of them! Or maybe we could be adopted and live in a guest house...

 

A turtle along the way on our walk. 

 

Deer along our early morning walk too.

 

Lots of open space....

 

 

After our walk on Saturday, we borrowed the two person kayak and paddled around in the Broadwaters area.  This is a really nice spot out in the country side for sure.  Lots of open land around for development.

 

Saturday and Sunday afternoons we enjoyed the pool area.  There were only 10 or 12 people there at any time including us!  Here's a photo when we first arrived to get a cabana.

 Did I mention it was HOT!?

Saturday evening we had dinner at the restaurant.  Nice freshly prepared fish and pork, great fresh asparagus and generally first rate presentation.  I get the impression that the development is struggling a bit but the service was first rate both at the marina and the restaurant.  Sunset from our boat.

Monday we will head across Pamlico Sound to Ocracoke Island, about a 40 mile trip. The Outer Banks has always been on our bucket list so what better way to see them than on one's personal boat!   Thanks for following.....