North Carolina Notes: Coinjock, Belhaven, Beaufort and Southport

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Tuesday, October 28:  Portsmouth, Virginia to Coinjock, North Carolina

Smooth sailing on Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and Currituck Sound.

Coinjock is a very interesting rural outpost!  Local roosters provided wakeup call at zero-dark-hundred. At least 15 boats lined up at long face dock.  Good overnight stop.

Wednesday, October 29:  Coinjock to Belhaven

Windy on Albemarle Sound, smooth going on Alligator River to Belhaven Waterway Marina.

One of our favorite places to stop.  Small charming marina, husband and wife owners and two small dogs, Belle and Haven, very welcoming and helpful.  Met Wendy and Peter and Rylee on board Adventuresome.  Brilliant sunset.  Found great restaurant in this small hamlet: SpoonRiver.

Thursday, October 30: Belhaven to Beaufort

Slightly choppy on Pamlico Sound and Neuse River; very windy with strong current entering Beaufort.  Delicious dinner, enjoyable camaraderie with new boat friends Wendy and Peter at Blue Moon Bistro.

Belhaven Sunset

Friday, October 31:  Happy Halloween in Beaufort!

Trick or Treaters of all sizes, many dressed up as pirates, throughout town.  Grocery shopping at Food Lion in loaner car from Beaufort Docks.  Poked around in some of the shops and took some photos in Old Burial Grounds.  Ended the day with a stroll to Cedars Inn for fabulous dinner!

Old Burial Grounds in Beaufort

MollyBelle at Rest in Beaufort

Saturday,  November 1:  Beaufort to Southport
Brrrrr!  Long day on ICW.  Long waits for hourly bridge openings.  Periods of sunshine provided some respite from the cold, rainy conditions that caught up with us before we reached Southport.  Docked and tied up in the rain.  Ugh!  Thankful for heaters on boat! Provisions picked up in Beaufort on Friday (and leftovers from restaurant dinners) provided nice dinner on board.

Swing Bridge Opening in the Rain

Sunday November 2: Southport, NC to Georgetown, SC
Another cold day but brilliant sunshine kept us warm on the enclosed flybridge.  Slow travel on ICW.  Bumped the bottom while passing a sailboat.  All is fine.  Opened a few swing bridges tendered by smooth talking southern gentlemen!  Tied up at Harborwalkwalk Marina in Georgetown along with several other boats we've encountered along the way.  We are like nomads wandering along and meeting up from time to time.  Looking forward to planned meetup with Adventuresome in Charleston tomorrow!