Once in a Blue Moon: Thursday, April 11 in Beaufort, SC

Date: April 11, 2013

Days on the Cruise: 17

From: Downtown Marina in Beaufort, SC

To: Downtown Marina in Beaufort, SC

Statute Miles: 0.0

Time: 0.0 Hours

Cumulative Miles: 681.9

On Board: Chuck, Susan, Maggie, Trooper, Peanut, joined by Susan's sister Linda and
her husband Richard

Today was a full day in Beaufort. We began the day with Breakfast at a local Cafe' called Blackstone's on a side street in downtown Beaufort. This was a great little place and the food was delicious. We ate on the patio behind the restaurant under an umbrella under some trees.

Next was shopping on the main drag in Beaufort, Bay Street. There are numerous little shops for antiques, crafts, knick knacks, and art.

We crossed the street that goes over the bridge to Fripp Island, then walked for hours in the historic district. The homes are incredible. Just like in the movies including the Big Chill and The Great Santini. The huge old oak trees and the spanish moss and the ornate gardens were just unbelievable.

Linda and Richard have some friends in Montgomery, Beverly and John. John's parents grew up in Beaufort. We went to the Baptist Church and took a tour of this historical building that was the Church that the parents attended. We saw the grave sites of John's mother and father. The guide at the Church, John Polk, gave an outstanding talk on the Church and its history. We learned that the Church had originally been built in 1804 and the original foundation of this building is still visible in the grave yard. The Church served as a hospital during the Civil War, and many Confederates died in what is now the Sanctuary. Some are buried in the Church Grave Yard. Thanks go out to John at the Baptist Church for a very interesting visit.

We then walked over to the Episcopal Church and looked at the back of the building and the old grave yard. They were having a funeral in the Church, so we could not look at everything there.

This evening, we ate dinner with Linda and Susan's cousin, Allyn, and his friend Pat. Pat's home is in Bluffton, which is about 45 minutes from Beaufort. Allyn's father was Linda and Susan's father's brother. These cousins had not seen each other in several years, so it was a great visit.

We loved the day in Beaufort. It is so laid back here. The old homes and gardens and big trees are beautiful! Beaufort is a mecca for tourist busses that bring groups into town to shop and eat. The busses park in the marina parking lot. There are tourist groups all over the town.

Tomorrow we are supposed to go on to Charleston, but the weather looks to be bad. We want to cruise in good weather while Linda and Richard are with us, and Saturday's forecast is for a beautiful sunny day. We will try to stay in Beaufort another day and head to Charleston early Saturday morning.

They are forecasting strong thunder storms in Beaufort late tonight and into the early morning tomorrow. The wind is very strong tonight and it is blowing us around on the face dock. The current is unbelievably strong, as the tide is coming in.

ONE THING ABOUT THIS DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT MARINA: THE CURRENT IS UNBELIEVABLY STRONG ON THE INCOMING AND OUTGOING TIDES. IT IS LIKE WHITE WATER ON THE ICW! IF YOU STAY AT THIS MARINA, TAKE THIS CURRENT INTO ACCOUNT!!!

Our pictures for today.