The best laid plans. On my travels to Charleston to observe the survey of the Sabre 45, I had the misfortune to sit beside two different sick women--one in the always mobbed Key West terminal where I took the very last seat remaining and one on the plane. Both coughed, sneezed, hacked and snorted. Both denied they were sick. Big Sigh. I did not escape my destiny.
Friday morning, I woke up in Belhaven, NC, scheduled to cruise to an Alligator River anchorage that day and then on to Norfolk the second day where we would ride out two days of expected high wind and rough seas. But, despite negative flu and covid tests, I felt punk, really punk, and both days would be longish days. What to do? Ten years ago I would have pressed on. But, I like to think I learn something once in a while and discretion (another name for the Admiral?) suggested we hold back. I was not happy with the facilities in Belhaven for 25-30 knot winds with gusts in excess of 40 so, on Friday, we returned to the protected waters of the Oriental Marina and Inn where we will hole up until Tuesday morning.
Yesterday, I didn't do much except hang out and read. I did walk a hundred yards to a coffee shop and later carry 40 pounds of charts and cruising guides on a six minute walk to the UPS store. While I was at the UPS store, Jackie called. She'd met a "guy" and was going to the grocery store with him. I shouldn't worry if she wasn't at the boat when I got back. Hmm.
It turns out that she'd met Mac Rubel, a Maine Guide formerly from Bar Harbor. On NEBO, Mac had seen the arrival of a boat named Katahdin with a home port of Key West and curiosity got the better of him. He had to come check it out. Of course they got to chatting and it turned out that Mac's wife, Deb Boswell, had worked as a scientific curator with my friend, Steve Rockwood, at The Jackson Laboratory for more than 20 years. Mac and Deb retired in Oriental and keep a small boat at their home and a bigger boat here in the marina. It is a very small world.
I'm still coughing and hacking. The Admiral has quarantined me outdoors in the cockpit by day and locks me in the master berth at night (I count my blessings)
I am definitely more energetic today than I have been the last couple. We're hoping that, as forecast, the bad weather will clear out by Tuesday and that i will be back in fine enough fettle to tackle more adventure. If both the weather and my cold clear, we plan to head to the Alligator River, Elizabeth City, and then the Dismal Swamp. The Dismal Swamp is an alternative route on the Great Loop but is currently "closed" because of a bridge reconstruction. However, we should be easily able to reach the Visitor Center where we hope to spend a night before turning around and beginning the trek back to Charleston to pick up our Sabre 45.
It turns out that God laughs even at short term plans--especially as you get older. We'll keep you posted!
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