Vibrant Village ™

BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA

December 6, 2011

Temperature:  72 degrees

Wish you were here

With a vivid blue sky,  whisper of a breeze, and temperatures hovering in the low 70's, today your editor abandoned her desk, her computer, the indoors and headed out for a bicycle photo safari through pretty Beaufort Town.

Do you blame her?

As I pedaled down Ann and Front Streets, I thought how fortunate I am to live in this place, this community, and at this time of year.  Red-bowed Christmas garlands draped on white 18th-century homes and deep pink camellias in bloom greeted me along the quiet streets.

I pedaled the full length of Ann, then headed for waterfront Front Street.  If I were lucky today,  the Carrot Island horses would be out, or maybe I'd spy a frolic of dolphins leaping about.

But no, I didn't see a one of either creatures today- nothing was stirring. But no matter, a snack was on my mind.

Since it was in the 70's, and since I needed a little rest from my pedaling, I sought out the General Store for a scoop of double chocolate ice cream and a spot on their porch.  The store held no customers.  A shame, really, I thought, with weather like this.  Sitting on the porch, I let the world go by and followed the shape-shifting soft clouds hanging in the Carolina blue sky.

Missing you, come walk with me?

Mustering my energy, I walked across the street to the Town Docks. They, too, were deserted and again I thought, if I lived in a frozen weather place, I'd de-camp and come to Beaufort Town this time of year.

I'd come for the Beaufort Historic Association's Candlelight Tour, I'd come for the American Music Festival's Vivaldi concert at the Library, and I'd surely come for a scoop of double chocolate ice cream eaten on the porch at the General Store.

I wander over to the docks and do some window shopping for a boat so I can pretend I'm soon to lift anchor and sail off to the Bahamas.

Fish House Christmas

But then--why?  It's so beautiful here today, the soft breezes and sun have unknotted my tight shoulders. The Carolina blue is so very blue, the clouds so cottony.  I'm content.  Sail off to the Bahamas?  Not today, maybe tomorrow? So beautiful it is here today.

True, there's a certain fetching ketch at the docks that looked distinctly tempting...but that's a dream for another day. Truth told, I'm feeling too lazy to do more than pedal slowly home.

My little Beaufort Town.  So wonderfully preserved, it seems a Currier & Ives Christmas card brought to life. Minus the snow and sleighs.  No horses for me today. My steed is a 1970's candy apple red World Tourist bicycle. Five gears, but I seldom change them; not many hills in Beaufort Town.

That's me, a would-be “world tourist” who now travels the world Walter Mitty-like  from the perch atop a bicycle saddle.  I've wandered and now I'm berthed. Wanderlust might strike in the Spring, but now I tie my lines in this harbor.

The Bahamas are lovely, 'tis true, but the food is--please forgive me, for I don't mean to be mean--but the food there is a tad boring: Conch, conch, more conch, rice and peas.

Nope, give me some fresh caught speckled trout, some clam chowder and a slab of Key Lime pie--and if I'm feeling frisky, one of Danny's Cosmopolitans.

If I came to Beaufort in December, in this quiet time of red-bowed Christmas garlands and pink camellias, I'd wander down Front Street and visit with the shop keepers. Within their shops, I'd discover the sweet gifts for stockings, friends, family—and me.

Playhouse on Anne

Checking my list, I'd find something both naughty and nice--and often hand-made by one of our artists and craftspeople. For we are surely overflowing with a treasure chest of talent.  Not for me the noisy malls.  Who needs them when I can be on Front Street with the gulls, the pelicans, the sloops and the ketches-- and the double chocolate ice cream at the General Store?

And then?

Since it's now late afternoon, the time of long shadows, I find myself hankering for an espresso--a great chaser for that scoop of double chocolate ice cream.

Beaufort North Carolina, heading gently toward Christmas.  Christmas wreaths and camellias.

A peaceful place of sky and water. Boats bobbing at anchor. Me, too, safely harbored at home for the holidays.

I'm loving it.