IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

It's a world of laughter

A world of tears

It's a world of hopes

And a world of fears

There's so much that we share

That it's time we're aware

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all

It's a small, small world

There is just one moon And one golden sun

And a smile means

Friendship to ev'ryone

Though the mountains divide

And the oceans are wide

It's a small world after all 

When we left Vero Beach after our road trip back home we slogged our way as far as New Smyrna Beach.

We realized that Obsession really needed to have her bottom cleaned. Andcwe found we had gotten some dirt/bad fuel. 

The marina there called a diver for us, and he was there the next morning in time for us to leave and continue our trip north. We traveled past Cocoa Beach, then Titusville, and

through the Haulover Canal and on to Daytona.

We figured we’d be alone a good portion of this trip, but soon we found that it is truly a small world. 

We pulled into St. Augustine and met up with Ingrid and Fred (Solaris) at OC Whites where the bartender informed us he was from Seekonk, MA. 

The day we left St. Augustine there were about 4 other boats leaving at the same time. We were all headed to Sisters’ Creek Free Docks near Jacksonville. 

A young couple, Brandy and Travis Lee, (Gypsy North) with the cutest and happiest 11 month old baby boy and a precocious and darling 4 year old girl were there too. 

They followed us the next day to Cumberland Island where we ran into Pat and Dave Tye (Blue Moon) whom we had met in Marathon in February. From Cumberland Island we worked our way through the swamplands of Georgia with Pat and Dave, fighting off swarms of green flies. (I thought we killed them all-NOT)

South Sapelo ariver Anchorage

 Skull Creek Anchorage

 A few nights of anchoring out after long days of travel, we finally made it to Isle of Hope Marina in Savannah, GA. 

After a quick message to our friend Melvin Aboard Belle in Puerto Rico we hooked up with a master marine electrician, Mark Rocha, Aboard his NP43. (is it a coincidence that his NP 43 is for sale and he wants a sailboat?)  He efficiently diagnosed our battery issue and masterfully negotiated the delivery of a new battery in record time. 

With Pat and Dave we took advantage of having the use of a loaner car and spent an enjoyable evening exploring the Savannah waterfront and a few local pubs. 

A car makes  shopping a simpler chore too. So we were ready for a few more days of travel and anchoring out, except the night dockside at B & B Seafood (oh the SHRIMP)!  and we finally reached Charleston, SC. At Church Creek we said “see ya soon” (we don’t say good bye) to Blue Moon and as it turned out followed a boat from Block Island to Georgetown, SC where we enjoyed a date night, dinner out and a show “Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses”. 

Four or five days of hot, muggy weather and we were in desperate need of a place to “chill”. Osprey Marina in Myrtle Beach provided the perfect respite the next day, complete with golf cart transportation, a delivered pizza, air conditioned Captains Lounge, a free breakfast, and...goats!  On to MBYC to see Carol Chace, toast her birthday, her retirement, and a new boat. We can hardly wait to see Carol and Bill again up north this summer. 

A few more long. hot, humid days and nights and we finally reached Oriental, NC. All along the way we passed or were passed by a Mainship 40, “Plan B”, and a C & C Landfall 43,  (they bought their boat in Warwick, RI  but live in Ontario, Canada). “North45”. We all met up dockside at Oriental Marina and Inn.

After a swim in the pool, we spent an evening  of catching up at the Tiki Bar revealed that Steve and Sue Aboard “North45” spent time with our friends Merri and Doug “Purdy Suite” and Michelle and Dave “Half Baked” in the Bahamas.

 Oh, and I can’t forget to mention that the marina manager at Oriental Marina and Inn is originally from Bristol, RI and worked at the Hyatt on Gat Island in Newport before it was sold to Gurneys. It’s a small world! 

I 

The next day Ken and Carol Aboard “No Schedule” , another boat that we have played hopscotch with for a few days traveling North, arrived and we spent a pleasant evening on the lawn talking boats. 

The friends we’ve made on this trip are truly special. We share laughter, tears, hopes and dreams. After all is said and done we all live under the same bright moon and shining sun.  We won’t let the high mountains or the wide ocean divide us. We offer smiles and friendship to all. 

IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

Sunset Belhaven,NC