Finally Hauled

After some delay, first on the part of the shipyard and then on our part (The port engine wouldn't start -- and then it did -- what in the world is that all about?), we set off for the first time in months, headed just down the waterway to the shipyard. Our time en route couldn't have been more than fifteen minutes, but each of those seaborne minutes was glorious for both of us.

We left the boat in the competent care of Leigh and the shipyard and immediately took off via truck for Texas. After such a late start, we knew we couldn't make it in two days, so we took our time and some slightly-less efficient roads, enjoying the view, all lush and green and springy.



Texans are justly proud of our highway-hugging bluebonnets, an early annual sign of spring, but the beauty of our state flower is rivaled by what I believe is the crimson clover, present in great swaths of brilliant, smile-inducing red across the high- and byways of South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Because I didn't stop to take a picture, I'm posting this one, found online.

https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_trin3.pdf

Back now in Baytown, comfortably ensconced in the pool house, we have one week before the big move on May 1. The weather is gorgeous, with highs in the 80's, and we are glad to be back in the Lone Star State.

Shagville

The area ranging from Georgetown, South Carolina through the southern coastal region of North Carolina is the home of Shagging. No, not in the British sense, but in the dancing sense, the dance style peculiar to, and taken very seriously by, the people of Greater Myrtle Beach. A couple of radio stations here are devoted to "beach music," music to shag to, and several dance clubs specialize in the jitterbug hybrid. And in April, the fans, most of whom are Baby Boomers, gather in Myrtle Beach for the SOS (Society of Stranders*) Weekend. The main attraction, other than getting together with old friends and remembering the glory days? The SOS Parade:
http://shagdance.com/parade.htm

I took advantage of the opportunity to try out different modes on my camera, including posterization and "pop," as the event seemed ready-made for such over-the-topness.










As usual, I was at least as interested in the spectators as I was in the parade participants.

"Wanna shag?" "Yes, I do!"

Walking with a certain swagger: "Stayin' alive, stayin' alive."

Some spectators found better things to do than watch a bunch of old folks dressing up and acting foolish.

Crawford was once, apparently, a serious, and seriously good, shagger, and he can still hold his own. He enjoyed the parade.

*The main road along the coast here is referred to as "The Grand Strand."
http://discoversouthcarolina.com/see-do/explore-the-state/islands-coasts/myrtle-beach-grand-strand/default.aspx

Happy

Some sights that make me happy:

 Some galley and salon improvements: magnetic write-on bulletin board/calendar and magazine rack in salon, and new shelf (on the right) for toaster oven (making room for coffee maker on the right, freeing up space to the left of the sink) and spice rack (seen from side next to calendar/bulletin board). More space, less clutter, happier life. I smile each time I walk into the boat and see these improvements.

And I smile even bigger when I see this happy color in the stateroom head. After years of fighting its dated Formica, I decided to embrace it, go with it, run with it. Result: happy.

More Delay - Creeping Along

Not only have we not splashed back down after our haul-out -- we haven't even been hauled out yet!

Don't ask me what our new plan is . . . . We're still hoping to head north, but it won't be until after our house move-in, and that will be in May.

Looks like we will have visits there from Crawford as well as Elizabeth and Nathan - can't wait to host them in our new home.

Spring has us both (but especially me) eager to plant and nest, but we're kind of held up with that because of our circumstances. Still, I'm painting and cleaning and arranging in the boat, fun activities for me, while Tom does his own mechanical and electrical puttering. We love just being on our boat. Friday night the marina held its first-of-the-season pot luck party, and we contributed some well-received red beans and rice, which I cooked that afternoon in our new, improved galley. Pictures of that (the galley, not the beans - you've surely seen Louisiana red beans before) to follow.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day . . . .

Creeping along . . . .

Brian and Sierra

Those following my cruising blog have seen Brian and Sierra before.

These two decided some time ago that they had no interest in staying in their West Virginia mountain home, but rather wanted to live a life of travel and adventure. Through mostly slim times, they have made their way with perseverance, strong will, willingness (eagerness) to learn, and help from friends, Tom and I among them.

When their recent stint as crew for a usual-single-handed sailor fell through, we picked them up in Beaufort and set them up in our boat, while we stayed at Crawford's house. In appreciation, they did some boat work for us, and then began looking for a ride back to WV, where they had temporary work waiting. Thus our trip to this bar in North Myrtle Beach, a bar devoted to West Virginia - maybe they could pick up a ride from someone driving back home.

Failing in that quest, they finally rented a car and took off about a week ago. We hope to see them again when we get back up to Chesapeake Boat Basin in Virginia, where they live on their boat in the summer, run their fledgling dive business, and do other jobs as needed and as they come along.

Their feelings while here in Little River, a mixture of guilt and gratitude at what they saw as our generosity but what we saw as just helping out worthy friends, plus near-despair at not finding any work here, did not jibe with ours; we enjoyed very much having them aboard and visiting with them. It's easy to help people as unspoiled as they, and reminds us of how many people have helped, and continue to help, us.