...and speaking of sacrificial goats...Elias and I had a goat identity communication mishap - I accidentally dropped his plastic goat off the dock, after he had trusted me with its caretaking - so when I remorsefully fessed up to an act, which in retrospect, he never saw me commit, he became somewhat hysterical - prolonging both our agonies by reminding me throughout the day how much he missed his goat - then, upon climbing into his bed at night, he discovered his stuffed goat (sent special delivery) and gleefully exclaimed "My goat!, It didn't fall in the water. Mommy, you were kidding (no pun intended) yourself." Thus ends a happy reunion - I figured I didn't need to explain the real story to him.

So, we left New Bern - along with some of the remaining hordes of ants we never made cry "uncle." The anticipation of arriving in a new town is still envigorating, but then we get to a point with each when we're ready to move on. Although I haven't yet stepped on Beaufort soil, we sailed right past its post office - that absentee ballot so close I could taste it - or was that the noisy shrimp eating the barnacles on the bottom of our boat? (yes, this tidbit was really in the waterway guide) - the tension mounts... can I fill out the ballot and return it in time to save the fate of the world? I hope I don't lose points for handwriting...

Today's 45 or so mile sail with the youngins was actually okay - one minute I'm pulling my hair out coaxing Elias to put on his socks for the 83rd time and working through Jonas' adversion to transitions (yes you do have to get dressed today), but then the next minute Jonas is surprisingly overheard telling Elias that he's so much more than a brother to him and Elias is reminding me that the stegasaurus is Jonas' kindergarten teacher's favorite dinosaur.

We made mile 200 today on the ICW..."Lord I'm one, Lord I'm two...Lord I'm 200 hundred miles away from home(?)"

3 hours later: Lord I'm 200.5 miles away...
5 days later: Lord I'm 203 miles away...

Describing our time in Beaufort in the words of Elias, "not a bad day after all." The town boasts 1 book store, 2 coffee shops, and a tuna auction. We considered putting a bid on a 100 lb. tuna but decided to hold out for the casserole. Speaking of wildlife, the highlight would have to be Jonas' (nature boy) sighting of the silhouette at dusk of a wild Shackleford pony - there are about 40 ponies that run wild on Carrot Island, just across from where we're anchored. A vet visits them on an annual basis. We've been told they tend to make special sunrise appearances, so hope to catch some more glimpes. Of course I had to complement this experience with the purchase of Seabiscuit - a beautifully illustrated children's book about the wild ponies of North Carolina's Outer Banks. We'll miss trick or treating at our Evergreen Avenue neighbors, but plan to attend a local Halloween bash, with hayrides, games, and tailgate trick or treating (?). We'll probably leave the following day for the next destination, to be determined.

So in the Halloween spirit, Jonas' homeschooling began with reading the Trick of Treat chapter from Henry and the Clubhouse. When the witching hour arrived (11 am), everyone costumed up - armed with sword (Ninja Jonas), ax (fireman Elias), and sharp wit (Mommy). I considered going as a sailor but realized that was way too far fetched, so settled on Marlena Dietrich (decked out in dark shades, wide brimmed hat, and concealing bandaid). Tom was Popeye. We started trick or treating by dinghy to neighboring boats - whose inhabitants were unprepared for our visit. Therefore, they dispensed galley surprises - homemade cookies and large candy bars - although Jonas was less than thrilled with the ratatouille. I guess that life jacket wouldn't have made it over the backhoe costume anyway. Marauding came naturally to a town whose tour bus stops at Blackbeard's lodging - abundant Hershey's booty for all. This daylight savings time has its advantages - the boys naively climbed into their bunks (as Jonas told Liz, "I sleep in the kitchen") at 6:45 under darkened skies.