At It Again

Like Riding a Bike

We Embrace the Familiar Pleasures of Cruising

On Monday we learned from our friends Paul and Veronica that we were "staging." This is a practice found among cruisers who have been at anchor (or in a slip) for an extended stay. By moving out closer to open water it prepares one to depart both mentally and physically. Before we got "on stage" we began by firing up the engines and removing all our "storage" from around our slip. Our destination was the Megadock, at the outskirts of the marina. Tim was reminded of the nerve wracking parts of boating as the current made a small adventure of our first movements. After a run-in with the dock and some akward manuevering, we were on our way. Two minutes later our voyage ended just in time to enjoy the sunset from our new spot.

Yesterday we loaded up the garden and wheeled it to the car. Both the car and the plants are getting baby-sat by our generous and dear Isle Of Palms contingent. This morning, nervous from the day before, Tim again pulled out, only this time, we were really on our way. [*Sob* I'll miss your ole Volvo, Miss Ma Rooney, drivin' over me. -Ed.]

It was blowing 15 to 20 this morning and threatening rain. Charleston Harbor had a small chop, but we soon entered the ICW heading north, passing by places we had grown familiar with. The water was calm though the sky stayed grey. We were happy to be on the move. Both of us were suprised that we were actually doing it after talking about it for so long. Leaving really is the hardest part. Once under way, we quickly remembered the joy of cruising, reminded in part by old sites we had passed on the way in. We again went under the Ben Sawyer bridge we had grown so used to driving over to get to Sullivan's Island. We were also quickly joined by our old dolphin friends who splashed in our bow and side wakes which, we decided, never stops being cool. Tim made egg sandwiches on Bageltime boiled-New York Style Combo Bagels (otherwise known as everything bagels) and by the time we finished eating the weather had changed beautifully. The rest of the day was taking turns at the helm every hour. After the morning drizzle, we climbed up on the newly renovated fly bridge, and drove from up there enjoying the excellent view. It was slow and utterly peaceful and we fell easily back into the pace of cruising.

At nearly three, we arrived in Minim Creek. Setting the anchor was easy enough to hide the fact that we hadn't done so in nearly a year. And we were left to chill and bide our time with important projects. Our spot, of course, was quite easy on the eyes. We watched the sunset for hours as the fish jumped and the mosquitoes found their way into our toasty floating cabin. And there we were, once again, back out on the water. Enjoying every moment.