Day 224 Beaufort, NC

Downtown Beaufort, NC





Noah Genda at City Docks







One many Beaufort historic homes dating back to the 1700's







Shoreline of the marines training at Camp Lejuene



I hope you're paying attention and don't miss the sign!






This cemetary from the 1700 was interesting.













There were many things to do in Wilmington that you need 2 to 3 full days. What I didn’t mention and that we didn't have time to do is tour the Screen Gems Studio, one of several film companies in Wilmington. Also the battleship USS North Carolina is directly across the river from the city dock and is open for tours. We missed going to a glass blowing retail business for demonstrations and product. There are more museums, tours and live theatres, as well as the Cape Fear Serpentarium which has over 100 species of snakes. It claims to be the largest collection of venomous reptiles in the world. I immediately put that visit at the top of my list but as luck would have it they aren’t open on Monday or Tuesday. Guess what days we were there???

Our travel took us through an interesting 18 miles of Marine Camp Lejeune on the New River. Along with the sign showing the live artillery firing which may close the river for 1-4 hours, they also practice amphibious landings which could close the river for 24 hours. Fortunately, we didn’t encounter either but we did hear very loud booms from their artillery firing on shore. The noise made you jump and your first thought was the boat hit something.

We spent Thursday night at Beaufort, NC (that’s pronounced Bo’fort with a long O) Yes, we were also in Beaufort SC but that name is pronounced Bew-Fort. I’m told the locals get pretty upset if you confuse the two. Morehead City and Beaufort are located very close to each other and we didn’t know which one we should stay at. At New River City Marina (our stay on Wed night) we ran into Betsy from the boat “Rick & Roll”. They have completed the loop so I asked for her advice and she highly recommended Beaufort. This is the third oldest town in North Carolina and it has survived pirates, hurricanes, depression and tourism. In 1974 the town transformed the dilapidated fish houses into a major yachting center. Beaufort City docks are a little pricey but they are right in the middle of shopping, restaurants and of course ice cream stores. Shackleford Island across the river from us has wild horses but as yet I haven’t been lucky enough to see any.