10 Essentials for a Beaufort, NC Getaway
Time off is rare. Completely disconnected and un-distracted time off? Even more so.
No matter how much you enjoy your work (barn time), there’s nothing like closing the laptop, and driving a couple a couple of hours in any direction for a change of scenery, and popping a straw in a coconut (beach time). Fortunate for us - when we point our car slightly northeast, and hit the accelerator we land in the tiny coastal town of Beaufort, NC in less than 1.5 hours. Southwest of the southern Outer Banks, and just east of Morehead City, Beaufort is as "small town coastal" as it gets. It’s proximity to the world’s largest fishing tournament (Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament), and Queen Anne’s Revenges last stand tells you everything you need to know about the salty culture, lifestyle and maritime heritage.
The infamous Gulf Stream is also a close neighbor to Beaufort. It’s brisk moving warm water dictates that coastal NC is the epitome of southeastern United States heat and humidity in the summer - so pack accordingly - and it doesn’t hurt to bring along a few things that make life a little easier when you’re away from home base.
Book A Stay at the Beaufort Hotel for maximum relaxation
No matter how quaint, charming, and remote your favorite getaway town is, if the bed, shower, and room doesn't feel like home or better - you're never going to hit that pure shut down mode. The Beaufort Hotel and staff get everything right by hitting the fundamentals: clean, friendly, quiet, and just the right distance to the town center.
Splurge and valet your car, book dinner for a night at the on-site restaurant (34 Degrees North), book a room close to the pool, and if you're the type of guy that likes to work out while you're away - the on-site gym has you more than covered.
The Rachel Carson Ballroom and Chapel at Beaufort Hotel
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 will put you in a deeper mode of relaxation
Listen, vacations and getaways are all about disconnecting from the day to day and re-connecting with the things and people that really matter, but it's also about time with yourself - and finding that elusive "clarity"? As quiet as the Beaufort Inn is, a high quality set of wireless headphones go a long way in creating some space between you and the rest of the world. Podcasts, music, and soundscapes delivered through great headphones put you in another place. I call out the AirPods Pro 2 for 2 specific reasons:
a. Ease of connection/disconnection to your devices. Yes - this feature requires you live inside the Apple-verse, but it's shocking how quickly and smoothly these guys bounce from the MacBook to the iPhone to the iPad - giving priority to whichever one most recently sent an audio signal.
b. World class (I don’t throw that term around lightly) noise cancelling capability. I use to think noise cancelling was a gimmick until I tried these. I spent 10 hours in the San Diego airport last week - and the noise cancelling in these is like having your own sensory deprivation chamber traveling with you and unlocking a new world of focus and productivity - even amidst a bustling airport.
Bonus Tip: These relatively inexpensive memory foam tips do a much better job of creating a seal between your ear and the AirPods, and are far more comfortable. If I fall asleep with the included silicon tips in, I wake up in an hour and have to take them out because they hurt my ears. These upgraded tips makes 4-5 hour sessions no problem.
The Beach & Barn Oyster Bay Quarter Zip comes in clutch - even in the summer
I know you’re thinking, “did he just recommend a quarter zip in a climate he already described as hot and sticky?” Indeed he did - but hear me out. Hotel rooms get cold. Restaurants get cold. Breweries get cold. Tourist trap ice cream shops with a 30 minute line get really cold. Keeping a lightweight (I mean really lightweight) quarter-zip close by this summer makes sure that you’re focused on the good time around you and not distracted by your chattering teeth.
The Oyster Bay quarter zip checks boxes you didn’t even know were there. Things like a lightweight, low profile zipper, subtle elasticwaist hem, and understated branding let this classic morph into the least to most sophisticated casual settings.
People still read...don't they?
It’s a REALLY big deal (in a bad way) to my wife that I don’t like to read a lot of fiction. Correction. That I don’t like to read ANY fiction. Even on vacation, I see my reading time as an opportunity to read books that will create new insights and make me better at my job....that I am trying to get some distance from....
On second thought, maybe I'll take a different approach this time.
Despite being doused in a liberal amount of fish repellent at birth, fishing is one of my favorite ways to “relax”. I would consider Beaufort one of the billfish capitals of the world, so why not bury my nose in a book that is loosely adjacent to that heritage?
“Fly Fishing In Salt Water” by the late, great Lefty Kreh has been collecting dust on my bookshelf for the better part of 8 years -so what better time to dial up in the noise cancelling AirPods and slip away. Explain “the shelf” to me one more time, Lefty. I almost have it figured out.
A new pair of Vans Old Skool's are the equivalent of tuxedo shoes in certain places
Not as ubiquitous as a Nike running shoe, not as “mature” as a loafer, and more dressed up than your favorite flip flops. The Old Skool took the flat sole aura of your busted up Chuck's, gave them a more structured fabric, a firmer collar, updated aesthetic, and called it a day.
Even Beaufort's fanciest restaurants are frequented by guys in tees, polos, and a pair of shorts that were probably on a fishing trip earlier that day.
These casual classics are perfect for strolls downtown by the North Carolina Maritime Museum, jaunts from the hotel room to the pool, and even a quick workout (but maybe minimize the running).
If we didn't know better, we'd think The Beach & Barn Rainbow Marlin Sportshirt was custom built for a strike mission to Beaufort.
Casual occasions like a short vacation call for maximum comfort - but with an aesthetic versatility that extends well beyond a tee shirt. If it feels as appropriate in a nice taproom, salty dive bar, or waterfront restaurant, that’s a pretty good start - and that’s just the beginning of what this sportshirt can do.
For starters, it’s true “wash and wear” wrinkle free characteristics make this the perfect stow and go travel shirt - and when I say "stow and go" that means that my packing looks less like "packing" and more like shoving something in the luggage as we're racing out the door. I always bring a portable steamer to accommodate this reality - but this sport shirt doesn't need it.
Add the hidden collar retention buttons, subtle front left chest pocket, and performance fabric with plenty of stretch - and this one might just take you through the whole vacation.
The blue marlin print is what puts this particular design at the top of our Beaufort must have list.
Use Technology to DECREASE distraction while you are getting away
Productivity and accessibility on vacation is the familiar enemy. Our "daily carry" phones have infiltrated our work and personal lives - and have ruined any chance of picking up our phone to research the best seafood in the town we are unwinding in without seeing that emergency e-mail from a customer/co-worker/etc...
...so I have my iPadsetup with NO communication or social media apps - whatsoever. No e-mail. No text messages. No Instagram. No Facebook. What I do have is Youtube (hobbies), Skillshare (skill learning), my calendar (future planning), and Notes (goals/future trip planning/lists/etc).
Wake up at 5am, pair with the aforementioned AirPod Pro’s, fire up your favorite Youtube channel, and unwind before THEY wake up.
Using the purposely handicapped iPad Pro to research the Harvey Smith Watercraft Center in Downtown Beaufort
Do you have a "sunglass philosophy"?
I’ve tried it all. Neck retainers, keeping them in my shirt pocket all day long, keeping a pair in the car, at the house, and at the office. I even tried the “I’m only going to buy expensive sunglasses to make sure I keep up with them” number (spoiler alert: that just increased my anxiety). The fact is that I live a lifestyle that is very non-conducive to keeping a pair of sunglasses longer than 6 months without losing them or more likely, scratching them.
We don't sit still much on these "relaxing" getaways. Hotel rooms to cars to restaurants to coffee shops to waterfront park benches - it sure seems like a lot of opportunities for some expensive plastic to literally fall through the cracks.
My new sunglasses acquisition and retention philosophy states that “thou shall buy the best fitting, most comfortable pair with the best lenses possible for under $50 and do my best to keep up with them - and IF I do lose them, I have to wear a pair from my wife's sunglass graveyard on her dashboard - and that receptacle may or may not contain men's/unisex sunglasses at that time”.
These I-SEA's fit great, feel great, and look great. I grabbed them on the go - and probably would have opted for something more subtle than the green mirrored lenses, but that is also the precise reason I will have these for 3 years. You only scratch/lose the pair you love everything about....
Make it a true Getaway
As their name might suggest, the Getaway Short is the undisputed king of getting away with EVERY thing. A dip in the pool, a ride on the boat, a long car ride, a short/long run...you name it. These fast drying, crazy comfortable 6" inseam legends were my goto as we navigated the Crystal Coast.
Beaufort Grocery is the meal you will recall evertime you remember this trip
Founded in 1991, Beaufort Grocery transcends the stereotype of the average "must visit" coastal restaurant. Yes it's charming, yes it's relatively small considering it's popularity, and yes the southern accents of the staff are thicker than the Damn Fine Gumbo that dominates the appetizer section on the menu - but don't get it twisted.
The beginning and end of the Beaufort lunch story is the food. They keep it simple with appetizers, salads, and sandwiches - and you literally can't miss - but if you need some direction, we'll point you towards the Sumpin's Jumpin'. It's a fresh catch sandwich that changes daily with the tides, and whatever the boat brings in - and it always hits the spot.
Rusty Meador is the founder of Beach & Barn, and is always looking for people, places, and things that combine workhorse grit with a laid back coastal vibe.
