Hilton Head to Beaufort, SC - May 24 - 25

Welcome to Beaufort, pronounced "Bufort" as opposed to "Bofort", though both are spelled the same; different state for the later.  We left Hilton Head, in which we saw some of the warmest temperatures so far on this trip.  The days were in the upper 80's and nights finally cooled into the mid 70's.  Not exactly great sleeping in the early evenings. 

We could not have planned the trip to Beaufort any worse, outgoing tide and 10 to 15 knots on our bow.  Leaving our anchorage was swift until we made the turn up the ICW and it slowed to a crawl  Oh well, it is a short trip, 25 to 30 miles.  We weave our way up the ICW and eventually hit the Port Royal Sound, where the tide has changed and we can launch the jib again.  We are planning to anchor in Factory Creek, which Jim and Gail have noted on their charts.  Before anchoring, we stop in the Beaufort Downtown Marina for fuel, water, etc.  As we were approaching the dock, I noticed that they had mooring balls, and we asked if they were active.  (We had read that Beaufort had plans to install them, but did not think they had finished.)  We secured a mooring, but not before a lengthy explanation on which ones to use.  It seems that they had placed them too close together.  Since the mooring field was practically empty, this was not a problem.  Well, Beth and I have become quite proficient with securing a mooring, but that was not today.  The pennant was on too short of a float and I missed both the float and the pennant. So the mooring ball goes through the hulls and I grab the pannant as it exits the hulls.  MISTAKE!!!  Although, I have done this before and walked the pennant forward, the tide and wind pulled it away and I could not hold the pennant so over the side the boat pole goes.  I grab the backup pole and we make another pass and secure the mooring.  In the meantime, we see the pole floating away towards the docks.  Beth tries to get another boat's attention, but he is mooring also, solo.  We see a small power boat that grabs the pole, and finally flag them down with the help of our neighbor.  They bring the pole, and we repay their kindness with several bottles of Fat Tire beer.  Both of us were happy. 

Since we left Hilton Head, a front has washed through and with it cooler temps.  The evening is cool again with the same breeze that we fought to get here.  The morning greets us with some clouds, but with coolness that we welcome.  We head to shore to explore Beaufort.  

We walk down Bay Street which is lined with shops.  It is early Sunday morning, and it is so quiet with hardly anyone about.  We decide to explore the neighborhoods, noting that Beaufort is the second oldest city in SC.  We are walking by this one house and we see this door propped open, with what looks like a dog.  It is a dog, but he was so still that we thought it was a stop, a rather large stop.  We find wonderful old homes, with views of the river and marsh lands.  The streets and homes have these old oaks and cedars, and on one street a tree limb has a height restriction on it.

Several of the older homes have these steps that seem to go out into the street, but we determine that they were used to assist the people into their carriages.  Here is an example on Lauren Street.

 We find an ice cream parlor and Beth gets a cone, while I have a cup and since we are dining in, it is served in a glass reminiscent of the old soda shop's ice cream sundaes.  After our stop, we head south along the river.  Beth takes pix of our mooring and some of the houses.

 After our 4 hour excursion, we come back to the boat.  Tomorrow we are off to Charleston, with a stop about half way.