Short sail here from Beaufort with a beautiful westerly breeze to stage for our overnight to Charleston. (Hardly any further and won't have to battle the tide and the tricky turns getting out of Beaufort in the dark.) Eight other boats here, several thinking the same thing. This is a large and deep anchorage but protected virtually 360 degrees. Gorgeous beaches both on the inside and outside of the sliver thin barrier island. Ryan and I dinghied across to the distinctive diamond painted lighthouse, he to go shelling and I to tour the keepers house and wander the national park facilities. Chatted with the pleasant ranger. She and her husband had sailed their custom steel boat to the Azores.

A local couple invited the cruising boats to the beach for sundowners. The full moon rose behind the lighthouse. As you know from trying to take pictures of the moon, it is usually a "You had to be there" kind of moment.