Day 48 - 52/660 Statutory Miles: Beaufort - SC

Short trip of 28 miles from Hilton Head Island to Beaufort took about 3 1/2 hours and afforded us a leisurely start to the day. Crossing Port Royal Sound and passing by Parris Island were among the highlights of the passage.  Port Royal Sound was about 1 1/2 miles across with so few navigational aids it required utilizing compass readings to properly line up with what buoys there were as well as the the opening of the Beaufort River. There is a heavy military presence in this part of South Carolina.

Beaufort was a mile and half walk across the Wood Memorial Bridge.  This is the first swing bridge that we have encountered, and although we didn't need an opening, from the back of the GS at the marina we had a front row seat to those who did.  This bridge was also the same bridge that Forest Gump ran across when he "decided to go for a run" along with several other Beaufort landmarks that appeared in the movie.

We stayed at Lady Island Marina on the recommendation of one of our boating neighbors from Halifax and we were glad we did!  Location is perfect; 1 mile to the east is groceries and a drug store and 1 1/2 miles to the east is downtown Beaufort.  This is just the kind of place that we really like:  a little "crunchy", but clean and full of good people.  This is definitely going to make our top 5 list.

Dockside restaurant is at the top of the docks and the Fillin station is 100 yards to the right of us.  We were highly advised to try the Fillin station for their Thursday night special fried pork chops, corn, green bean & mac and cheese.  Can you feel your arteries clogging??. Cash only and you pay up front - but I guarantee you won't leave hungry.

Jess & Andrew paid us a visit on Saturday - it was so nice, to sit and just kabitz with them.  After strolling through downtown, we had a bite to eat at Dockside. Food was really good, the staff made it so fun and we were in good company

I think we were photo bombed!

Yep we were, and here is the culprit

Sunday was kind of laid back, not much going on and it was so cold outside!  I'm wondering when Spring is going to get to us.  I think we keep out running it. 

Tomorrow we are off to Charleston.  Could be a 2 day trip if we don't time a couple of difficult areas properly, so we are going to give it our best shot and hope we don't touch bottom and we can get there in one day instead of two.

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