Greek's Folly on the Great Loop: June 14-16, 2016 Dudley Marina to Beaufort, N.C.

June 14, Dudley marina to Beaufort NC, Homer Smith marina.

Due to current, tide and winds, some assistance from the dock hands was needed to remove us from the dock. We pulled away at 10:15. Short Vacation lead the way on a comfortable cruise to Morehead city where confusion broke out for the next hour. So many makers, so many channels, which way do we go. We received some misinformation from a fellow boater which added to the confusion, which prompted us to call the Marina and ask for additional clarification on the route. After many turns and slow approaches we spotted the marina and arrived at 1415. We traveled 28.4miles. We bike into town, four blocks away, and walked through some downtown shops. We were pleasantly surprised to be observers of the Big Rock fishing tournament. This tournament is a Marlin tournament and involves 174 boats. It is the largest blue Marlin tournament on the East Coast. By 5 PM the boats were returning from the ocean so we sat on a patio deck and enjoy the maneuvering used to park the big yachts. They back into the slips at a high rate of speed totally unconcerned of currents and wind. Fun to watch. Glad it isn't me.

One of the Big Rock boats backing into the slip. Notice the wall
of water he is pushing. He is movin' fast.

Some pf the wild horses we saw on Shackleford Island

on the beach at Shackleford island. A little rough in the ocean
today.

The long beach at Shackleford Island

Pm and John from Short Vacation on the beach

June 15 and 16, Beaufort NC, Homer Smith marina

A rainy morning is best spent sleeping in, so that's what we did. Pam and Colletta took the car and headed to Morehead City and did some reprovisioning. When they returned Tom and John took the car and did some provisioning that men need to do. In-between the afternoon raindrops, I rode into town and enjoyed a leisurely walk through the shops. Tom joined me later in the afternoon and then we enjoyed a beer, on a porch in rocking chairs, while watching the fishing boats from the tournament return to the dock. All four of us then rode to No Name Pizza and Subs for pizza. Good dinner with leftovers for breakfast in the morning.

Today we took a boat ferry over to Shackleford Island. We strolled the beach, hunted for shells, saw wild horses, and watched the wild waves on the ocean with awe. Our ferry boat driver gave us a tour of the area and some history of the town as he took us back to the mainland. Our lunch was at Royall James cafe. Cheap burgers and cold beer. A good lunch by our standards. We took advantage of the free maritime museum which was dedicated to the legend of Blackbeard, the pirate, and his ship Queen Anne's Revenge. It also shared the history of the town in relationship to sea.

Three days is just long enough in a town like this. We get to see what we want, explore and do new things, as well as take care of any boating business. Homer Smith Marina is a new Marina undergoing continuous development as well as being a working fish market. We purchased fresh tuna and enjoyed tuna steaks one night. Another evening we enjoyed fresh shrimp during docktails. The owner Tony, and son Matt were gracious hosts, right down to lending us their own personal Ford truck ( leather interior and great stereo).