Turning Fifty in Beaufort

(Also known as: "trying to get a decent photo of us")
Adam took me to Beaufort for my birthday date. That means we crossed the Neuse River on the ferry, which is always romantic.  Then he took me to the beach because he knows I love it so. And I tried for a good "couple head shot." Not too bad. We're both smiling and we don't look mad.

The beach was rather full for 5:00. Beautiful day.

This time I wanted some ocean behind us. I often look confused in photos like this. I get a little scowl.

Adam loathes sand. He does not go to the beach. That's why this particular jaunt was a true sacrifice of love for him, toward me. He says sand gets into everything, especially socks and shoes and between toes. He rolled up his pantlegs.

The jetty is pretty.

Bad head shot. The sun makes Adam squint and scowl.

My handsome husband with his toes in sand. This does not happen often and merits a photo.

I like toes in sand. We joke that Adam has hobbit-like feet. Anna took me to get a pedicure on Friday, so my toes are lookin' great!!

We drove from the beach to Beaufort and ate dinner at The Spouter Inn, a great restaurant with a deck right on the water. Beaufort is a busy harbor. I took a picture of Adam. He's so patient with me.

Then he took a picture of me. And he didn't say, "smile more," or "suck in your gut, honey" or "sit up straight so you don't look so fat." Nosiree, he's a good husband and a smart man, and he just let me look like that - hahaha!!

We watched boats go by, all kinds of boats. This is a touristy water taxi that takes people out by the island where the wild ponies are and shows them the sights for way too much cash.

Here's a big catamaran. They were having a party on board, I think.

We turned our attention to the meal. I ordered some bruscetta because the lady next to us had some and it looks oh-so-yummy.

And it was. This lovely pot hung behind me:

I finally decided on one of their salads for my meal. This is warm goat cheese, I think encrusted in parmesan cheese. Caramelized walnuts are hiding in there, lots of them. The dressing was lovely. And I had some grilled shrimp around the edge. Perfection! I would eat this again (and again and again). The cheese was excellent, and those walnuts -- oh my! Really, really good.

Adam ordered a prime rib. He's counting every calorie now and keeping track of every mouthful on an "app" on his iPad. He says if he can turn his weight loss into an OCD kind of thing, it'll work for him :) He didn't eat the potatoes, and only some of the veggies. He'd saved calories for this special meal.

I pulled him closer to me, out of the sun, and tried for yet more head shots.
#1:

#2. See that puzzled look?

#3. But if I lower my head I get the chin roll. Sheesh.

Now here's a touring boat for you! Adam said, "Look! The African Queen!" It reminds me more of the boat Hercule Poirot was on, in Death on the Nile. Packed with people on top, looking at us. While we looked at them. Considering my goat cheese, I think I had the better arrangement.

After dinner we strolled along Beaufort's boardwalk. Talk about people-watching! It's a lively place, but nice. We found a bench to relax on.

And waited for the sunset. We caught the 9:15 ferry home. And I turned fifty in Beaufort with the love of my life and the most interesting person I know.