fav places

by

Visits and Departures

After returning to our sticky dock we did- guess what? Laundry and groceries! If you’ve been following along you would have aced that one. For real excitement we (that’d be Russ) worked on the water maker installation (at some point you
can find the gory details under the Our Boat page) made twice the usual fun since we have two hulls with water
tanks. The well-worn road to Defender Ind. In Waterford, CT tells the tale of many trips for parts and the returning of said parts for more, and on and on.

Other projects tackled: install new cockpit ceiling lights- one had nearly set the boat on fire when the bulb shorted (our best guess) so a replacement was ordered and we also bought 2 replacement lights with an on and off toggle for
the stern lights as those we don’t often need to use. They are Xenon bulbs on a dimmer; some day we plan to switch to LED. Russ dealt with so many that I not only lost track, I am not even sure what they were. Tweak, repair, adjust, construct,
alter, grease, change, dry out, fix, install… all in the running for action verb of the month (entire summer?)

Hey how about those dinghy chaps? Dare I say that we finally closed the chapter on that book- you know, our cruisers’ version of War and Peace- long, damn long. In fact Russ says we were like a movie with several different endings.
The process will be given its due in Our Boat page.  Followers with fantastic memories may recall I mentioned ordering Textilene to be made into an “at the dock” sun shade. Textilene is great stuff and is akin to screening except that
it’s heavier and made of some type of poly/plastic. You can purchase it in many “hole” sizes depending on its intended use.  Exterior functions are generally as a sun screen that offers privacy too. More about Textilene and how we made our
sun/privacy screen will eventually be found – you got it- on Our Boat page.

 We took a break from work, of all kinds, and enjoyed our annual visit from The California Rackliffes, our affectionate name
for Jack and Kerry. Jack is Russ’s brother. Kerry and Jack live on their- are you ready for this… sailboat in Marina Del Rey. They just retired. Must run in the family; my father-in-law retired at 55.  They still have their hands full of boat projects to get Mamouna and themselves ready for cruising. Unlike us crazy East Coast Rackliffes (since when is anything on this coast crazier than the west coast?) they are experienced sailors with a nautical family history; Kerry’s goes back several
generations. An interesting history of which I only know a teeny piece. One tidbit I’ll toss out here is that Kerry’s (maternal) grandfather built s/v Maya of Kennedy family fame. Kerry’s mom is Faith who we visited in Annapolis on our trip south last October.

 When Kerry and Jack make that final toss-off of their dock lines (sometime in a year or so) to become the Crusin’ CA
Rackliffes, we hope they will turn north after the Panama Canal. With so much family on the East Coast, an area known for terrific cruising from The Caribbean north into Canada, the lure, the draw… surely will we see them on this side. Hey we’ve never even seen Mamouna.

Mouth watering lobster rolls sold here.

We gathered at THE BEST spot for lobster rolls; actually the spot is good but the lobster rolls are extraordinary. If you are ever in Clinton, CT head to the water and Lobster Landing. A seaside delight that has grown from two tables outside the shack to more than twenty tables, some covered. Special rolls and the freshest lobster drizzled with a light butter “sauce”. Absolutely divine.

 Benj packed for school and on Saturday, 12 hours before Irene was to arrive, he headed north with a full carload. We said
our good-byes and without so much as a turn and wave, we plunged into Day 2 of hurricane prep.

by

Southern Hospitality

A mere day ago we couldn’t help but wonder where was all that famous southern hospitality? Not to say we hadn’t encountered some; we had, but we wanted a bigger taste. We found it today at Osprey Marina. We’d heard that Osprey Marina in the Myrtle Beach area had THE best diesel price and dockage was only $1/ft. Checked ActiveCaptain and the reviews were outstanding. Fuel tanks were getting low and we calculated that we could make it there. Our Tank Tender, a pressure based system that measures the water tanks and the fuel tanks has never worked quite right and we always have more water and fuel than the gauge shows- better that than less. This time we’d be putting in more than ever- a good price- albeit rising every few days, would be welcomed. Departing Georgetown was a decision made easier with Osprey only 30 miles north. We could pick up those provisions in the morning and still arrive before 4pm. In the last 5 or so miles before our stop we saw one Osprey nest after another, most set on top of the ICW green and red markers and they all contained Ospreys. Must be the season.

osprey nest

Ospreys win "most photographed".

We turn into the marina’s narrow tree-lined channel and as Russ had his “A” game on, he had no trouble maneuvering in tight quarters and up to the fuel dock. Miles, the dockmaster, gave us a friendly greeting, complimented our boat and quickly got us the fuel hose. He then went up to the pump and kept us apprised of the gallons so we’d know the amount in each tank. As Russ tells it, I nearly toppled overboard taking a picture of a turtle who was curious about our fenders. We then discussed where to put us; only one night? He’d put us on their new dock and since it was just across the basin, we’d need a golf cart to get back and forth. I switched our fenders and lines while Russ made a tight turn to get us off the fuel dock and over to our spot for the night. Miles arrived with the cart. We’d beaten him to the dock there and I’d jumped off with the lines. Here comes my favorite part: Miles has the stern line, I have the bow and need to know which cleat he wants me to tie to. “the farthest one?”, I say and in that casual but respectful southern style, he responds, ” yes m’am.” Remember, it’s the little things. We all drove up to the office and along the way got a quick background on the place. At check-in we get a goodie bag filled with useful stuff and info. Cheese and crackers- yes, an 8oz block of real cheese. A local Italian restaurant/pizzeria offers a pickup service from the marina. Nothing is within walking distance. We call for a 6pm pickup, but with poor cell service we couldn’t be sure both sides were on the same plan.

lori golf cart

Drive on land... what's that?

Up we zoom in our cart and at 6pm the marina staff closes up and we chat about how yummy the food is at Scatori’s. Fifteen minutes later we are still waiting, but then a minivan pulls up- no, wait, it’s the manager, returning to get something she forgot. She insists on taking us to the restaurant (5miles away) and we try to call to tell them we have a ride, figuring maybe our signals got crossed. Turns out they were just late. We hadn’t been seated in our booth 5mins, when a man from two booths away stops by and says he’s on “C” dock, saw us driving in the cart looking dressed (jeans is dressed?) for dinner. Thought we might be needing a ride, (but we stayed talking in the main building and didn’t come out), but wasn’t sure. If we needed a ride back, let him know. His wife waved from the booth and we knew – finally getting a taste of authentic southern hospitality. We took advantage of the Lowe’s Foods next door and when ready to go, the restaurant drove us back.

Yes, Scarlett, the South still has it! Soon after, the biggest thunder/lightning/rain storm we’ve encountered so far passed over. The sky was lit up from all directions and a boat-cleaning rain pelted down for quite some time. No wind to speak of, or if it did exist, our dock was nicely protected amongst the trees.

ortolan at Osprey marina

Ortolan at Osprey