Road Trip through the Carolinas

Every trip has it's own unique starting point, and our trip started from our home in Great Falls, VA. This first part of the trip was the longest driving segment at 389 miles.

Beaufort, North Carolina was one of the first coastal towns we set out to explore during our search for potential relocation spots. The idea of living near the Atlantic Ocean on the east and Pamlico Sound to the north really appealed to us—offering the possibility of sea breezes, scenic waterfronts, and that laid-back coastal lifestyle.

When we arrived, we found the harbor area to be charming, with its waterfront boardwalk, sailboats gently rocking in the marina, and a few inviting cafés and restaurants lining the shore. The setting had a peaceful, picturesque quality that made a strong first impression.

However, after spending more time there, we realized that Beaufort is quite a small town, and its size comes with certain trade-offs. While it has undeniable charm and historical character, there was limited access to shopping, cultural attractions, and entertainment options—especially compared to what we’re used to in Northern Virginia, where everything from upscale malls to museums and international dining is within easy reach. For those seeking a slower pace and a quiet, maritime atmosphere, Beaufort could be ideal. But for us, it felt a bit too quiet for long-term living, especially if you're accustomed to a more dynamic and diverse urban environment.

As you can see in the photos, the dominant architectural style in Beaufort, North Carolina, leans heavily toward classic Southern charm with an old-school, historical flair. Many of the homes and buildings feature elements like wide front porches, tall shutters, pitched tin roofs, and weathered wooden siding—hallmarks of coastal Carolina architecture that evoke a slower, more nostalgic way of life. Mature trees drape Spanish moss over quiet streets, and the occasional picket fence adds to the town’s quaint, picturesque atmosphere.

There’s no denying that parts of Beaufort are undeniably beautiful, especially if you appreciate preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture and the ambiance of a historic seaport village. It’s easy to imagine sitting on a porch swing with a glass of sweet tea or strolling along the waterfront at sunset.

That said, while we appreciated the aesthetic and the effort to preserve Beaufort’s historical roots, the overall style just didn’t align with what we were personally looking for in a potential new home base. We were hoping to find a location with a more contemporary mix of architecture and amenities, something that blended historic charm with a more modern, vibrant feel. For us, Beaufort felt a little too traditional and sleepy, especially coming from the fast-paced and diverse environment of Northern Virginia.

After we finished exploring Beaufort, we drove down to the City of Wilmington and checked into the Riverview Suites Hotel. Right on the Cape Fear River, close to a number of restaurants & shops.

  

Image # 1 property of Yelp via their website.

Our hotel was directly across a channel of the Cape Fear River where the USS North Carolina was moored. It is a "living museum" and me being an ex-Navy guy, I told the family that we ought to go over and visit the ship.

This ship had an interesting history, I encourage you to take a look at the Wiki page article about this ship because it had quite the career. Note that this was the first American Battleship built using the WW1 Washington Naval Treaty rules.

We gave the ship a thorough examination, and tried out everything we came across. Fortunately, the the ship's guns were not loaded.

Jeremy tried out every gun we found, and became adept at learning how they worked. During WW2, there were 45 cannons of various sizes and 18 fifty caliber machine guns on this ship.

I was explaining to Chelsea how large the shells were that these guns used. She is astounded at the size of those gun barrels! Those 16 inch cannons used a 2,700 pound armor piercing shell.

The construction of the USS North Carolina (BB-55) began on October 27, 1937, at the New York Naval Shipyard. The ship's weapons were initally constrained by the Washington Naval Treaty, but were later upgraded in conformance to the Second London Naval Treaty. The ship's weapons consisted of;

 Main Battery: 9 x 16-inch/45 caliber Mark 6 guns in three triple turrets, these guns could fire 2,700-pound shells up to 21 miles.

 Secondary Battery: 20 x 5-inch/38 caliber dual-purpose guns in 10 twin turrets.

 Anti-Aircraft Guns: 0 x 40 mm Bofors guns in 10 quadruple mounts and 48 x 20 mm Oerlikon cannons for close-in defense.

Chelsea was amazed at the size of the chow hall galley mixing bowls. The ship's wartime crew size was 2,300 so the chow hall had to be big enough to feed all those men - can you imagine the size of the line to have a meal? The Navy solution was that the crew had to eat in "shifts".

Meals were served in multiple shifts (usually 2-4) to accommodate the different watch rotations and to avoid crowding the galley and mess decks. Meals were typically served during breaks between watches;

 Breakfast: 0600–0800 hours

 Lunch: 1130–1300 hours

 Dinner: 1700–1830 hours

Special meals (like midnight rations or mid-rats) were offered to crew members who worked the night shifts.

Amazingly, the size of the crew bunk areas had not changed very much from WW2 to the time that I was in the Navy. The bunks and lockers look just like (and are the exact same size) what I had on the ships I was stationed on. The crew size of this ship was 2,300 men, so you can imagine how crowded it would have been during WW2. The Navy solution was that each crew division had their own bunk area.

The bunk area, often called the berthing compartments, was located below deck in several sections throughout the ship. These spaces were designed to house the enlisted sailors who operated the ship’s guns, engines, and essential systems.

 Capacity: The ship carried approximately 2,300 sailors at full wartime complement.

 Bunks: Sailors slept in metal bunks (racks) stacked three to four high to maximize space.

 Location: Most bunks were located in large berthing compartments below the armored deck, near other critical spaces like the mess decks and storage areas.

USS North Carolina (BB-55) was the lead ship of the North Carolina-class battleships and the fourth warship in the U.S. Navy to be named for the State of North Carolina. It was the first newly constructed American battleship to enter service during World War II, and took part in every major naval offensive in the Pacific Theater of Operations; Its 15 battle stars made her the most decorated American battleship of World War II.

The ship was constructed at the New York Naval Shipyard according to the Washington Naval Treaty standards, which were meant to limit future arms races - at a cost of $76,885,750. Each of the Iowa Class Battleships were constructed at a cost of $100 million each and the Midway Class of Aircraft Carriers required approximately $90 million each to construct.

Compare those numbers to the costs of today's Navy ships & aircraft, ie; a single F-35 costs $109 million and the USS Gerald Ford (CVN-78) has cost 12.9 billion dollars to date (costs continue because the ship is still requiring "fixes" of critical equipment).

NOTE: There are different F-35 "variants" and each vary in costs; The A, B, and C variants of the F-35 are, for all intents and purposes, different aircraft. The most expensive is the F-35B, designed for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL). With a price tag of approximately $177 million per unit, it also claims the title of the most expensive aircraft ever built.

The North Carolina is 728 feet in length, 108 feet in width, weighs 45,500 tons fully loaded and was capable of a top speed of 28 knots. The ship was armed with 9 sixteen inch Mark 6 guns, 20 five inch guns, 15 quad 40mm anti-aircraft guns and forty eight 20mm anti-aircraft guns. She was crewed by 1,800 sailors & officers.

Only two ships of the North Carolina class were built - BB-55 North Carolina and BB-56 Washington. The reason for this was because once WW2 was underway and it became clear that the Japanese Navy "fast battleships" were considerably faster than the North Carolina class (and quite a bit larger) and the U.S. Navy decided that it required a larger class of battleship and the Iowa class battleships were born. The Navy was going to construct an even larger battleship (the "Montana" class) but by 1944 the Navy realized that the day of the battleship was over and they cancelled the Montana Project in favor of more aircraft carriers. By the end of WW2, the United States had 105 aircraft carriers of all types. Sixty-four of them were of the smaller escort carrier type.

For any Navy Combat Ship enthusiasts out there, go read about the Iowa class battleships with the above link, they were the last of their type!

Our next stop was Myrtle Beach, SC where we were renting a friend's rental unit right on the beach. The unit was a little older, but in immaculate condition and right on the beach.

No relocation work here, we just planned on some R & R and to have a good time.

We spent a considerable amount of time on the beach, where Jeremy honed his skim board riding technique. He had to have spent six hours per day, all week long, skimming until he had it perfected.

This area boasts a stunning coastline with a pristine sandy beach stretching for miles along the Atlantic Ocean. Known for its warm waters and family-friendly atmosphere, the beach offers a perfect setting for sunbathing, swimming, and building sandcastles. The lively boardwalk adds excitement with shops, eateries, and amusements. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the ocean, and the gentle waves make it an ideal spot for water activities. Myrtle Beach's inviting shores, complemented by a vibrant atmosphere, create a relaxing getaway for beach enthusiasts and families seeking sun-soaked fun on the South Carolina coast.

Because Beaufort, SC was another area that we were interested in potentially moving to, we took a look at some properties for sale.

Beaufort, South Carolina is a picturesque coastal town known for its rich history, charming Southern architecture, and breathtaking waterfront views. Founded in 1711, it’s the second-oldest city in the state, steeped in Revolutionary War and Civil War history. The downtown historic district features antebellum mansions, moss-draped oak trees, and quiet streets lined with shops, galleries, and cafes.

Surrounded by the Sea Islands, Beaufort offers access to beaches, marshes, and waterfront parks, making it popular for boating, fishing, and kayaking. The town’s Gullah culture adds a unique heritage, preserved through storytelling, cuisine, and traditions.

We returned to Virginia with the mind-set that the areas we had visited were not areas that we were interested in. In most of the areas, the school systems were not highly rated and life in a small southern town is quite a bit different than what our children had been used to in Virginia.

Since we had been visiting Florida frequently, this trip made up our minds that our next move was going to be to Sarasota.