Sunset in Beaufort, South Carolina. This is a 'Free Day Dock.' You can stay till 2 AM. When you're a drunk sailor and the bars close. We got back to the boat after 2 AM, a LOT drunker than usual, and fell into bed, thinking 'They wont kick us out at this hour. Nooooo wayyy.' At 3 AM there was loud knocking on the hull, and a strong spotlight in my eyes. A uniformed officer told us to vacate the dock IMMEDIATELY or face a $1,200 fine. Yikes, that expensive. He wasn't friendly about it, and he saw no humor in our predicament. So much for southern hospitality! Sooo, we decided to vacate, despite darkness and rumfoggy thinking. We bravely said we'd just get a very early start on the day and head further south. But we didn't make it far before we picked up an empty mooring ball and immediately fell back into bed.
Sailing Life at its Best. The anchorage is open to strong currents and winds, but close to the human wildlife of Duval Street. You just have to watch out for getting caught up in the local custom of starting off the morning at the Schooner Bar with a Bloody Mary. Or a Mimosa. Or having a lunchtime, fresh rolled cigar from a smiling old Cuban man who only speaks Spanish. Or evening drinks at the clothing optional rooftop bar, The Garden of Eden. Or . . . well, there are just wayyyy too many vices to pick up in Key West to list them all. You'll just have to discover them for yourself.
