Sultry South

SHIP'S LOG:

I am still in Beaufort and will be probably through the weekend. Guy McSweeney, they "guy" I met on my way down was in the hospital Tuesday and Wednesday and is not quite feeling up for visitors just yet. I talked with him today and he said everything went perfectly but that he is a little sore and the pain meds put him to sleep. I will probably get to see him on Saturday.

it is just as well as tonight it is supposed to rain and right now I am looking at some seriously nasty clouds. There has been thunder and a little lightning but so far, no rain. Just a lot of threatening sky! Friday it is supposed to be much the same, nothing in the morning but the "potential" for thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. It was hot and humid and still all day. If it is this bad down here in the Spring, I can't imagine what it is like in full Summer.

as for the future, I am am planning to do a bit of a push when I leave here, to cover, if possible, wind and tide permitting, about 45 miles which will put me in Church Creek. That is only a short hop from the dreaded Elliot's Cut. For those who don't remember, Elliot's Cut is a 500 yard canal that is a little over two boats wide, lined with concrete sidewalls through which a current, running as high as 6 knots, shoots through. It is a dangerous spot for underpowered boats( read sailboats) for if you make a mistake there is really no second chance. you will hit the wall and do damage. You must pass through at slack tide and sprint to get from one end to the other. By getting to Church Creek, I will be able to time my arrival at Elliot Cut so as to be able to do just that. This will be as much fun as root canal! I hit it perfectly coming down and it was still not a lot of fun. I would hate to see what it is like at the wrong time.

The people here have been marvelous. A guy I had never met before, Jim Travis, when he found out that I had to go and do some shopping, gave me the keys to his pickup! Dave "Dr. Fix-it" Dixon, repaired my boat hook. And several people from the neighborhood who are members of the Club, stopped by to say "Hello." It is really a great place. . . .except for the gnats. But then you can have everything, and good enough is perfect!