14 August 2017


RIVER FOREST MANOR AND MARINA


And It's All About Sandwiches

The Grand Lady 

RFM&M sounds like it should be the name of a railroad, but far from it.  This wonderful stop along the intercoastal water way is built around a very old and charming mansion. The mansion is situated at the mouth of the Pantego Creek and the town is Belhaven, NC. She is referred to as The Grand Lady.  She was built from 1899 through 1904 (Teddy Rosevelt would have been president). This gem of a residence was created by some of the artisans who built the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, NC and other fine craftsmen from around the state. For many years, she was the site of posh parties and celebrity guests. The guys who now own the marina and the mansion, and there are fourteen of them, all hail from the area. They grew up with the house being an important part of their world and the town they live in.  So when the house and marina fell on hard times, the guys bought it. It has been a successful labor of love ever since.

The Chef Becomes Sandwich Maker

We spent only one night at River Forest Mansion and Marina but had a good time. We took a couple of spins around the old river town in the golf carts provided by the marina and then had a dinner of sandwiches on the boat.

That's right sandwiches.

A couple of trips ago, we four were speeding down the highway to join the boat and do some cruising. I was in the front seat trying to prepare a menu with the accompanying shopping list, when I got turned on by all three of the guys.  They were gentle about it.... but they more or less let me know that my meal preparation was not really appreciated that much and they would just as well like to buy a bunch of sandwich makings and everyone could fend for themselves at dinner time, lunch time, anytime.  Well, if you've ever boated for fifty to eighty miles on a hot summer day, cooking at the end of it really does rank as one of the chores you would rather not do.  So, seeing as how I was out-voted anyway, have a streak of six o'clock lazy and would rather drink a beer and enjoy the evening view, we did it.  The grand thing is, it works fine.  It is not much more expensive, if at all, and best of all, no one complains about the cook. We still augment the larder with plenty of fruit and salad makings so few, if any of us, are in danger of coming down with scurvy. (Another reason, we stock plenty of limes. I won't include the other reason for the limes.)

The Galley, Stocked Against Scurvy 

"Skipper to Engine room"                

By the way,  the boat seems to be doing well enough for now so we have decided to just take it slow and worry about repairs after the trip.  The problems are not of a nature that will cause further damage if left alone or at least for the time being.

   

Beginning the next leg


Willmington, North Carolina

As I may have mentioned, the new boat is named AGREATDAY.  She is a 57-foot Carver, purchased at Hilton Head, North Carolina.  The boat has been docked at the City Marina in Wilmington, NC, for some months now.  We have finally managed to make time to move on up the East Coast for a couple of weeks. The crew for this leg of the trip will be Chris my Son-in-law, his son Grayson, Mitchell my grandson and myself.  We also have Daisy, the Australian Shepard, helping us out. I should mention that I'm the only one on the boat that can converse with Daisy so her thoughts maybe included from time to time. But I have to warn you right up front.  She tends to be a little sarcastic in her observations of people.

Our Vessel

The trusty Daisy

Leaving Wilmington

       


                              We started out from Wilmington late in the day, but like thesaying goes: "Ninety percent of doing anything is starting". The first day went well after we cleared the decks for action, we made it to Wrightsville Beach and docked at the Port City Marina.  It was Friday night and we enjoyed a parade of boaters going and coming from the various restaurants and bars scattered up and down the waterway which is always a pleasant way to spend an evening. In the morning, we untied and headed for Swansboro. The day's travel took us through the U.S. Marine base, Camp Lejeune, where we were held up for about two hours by Marine boats with machine guns mounted on them and manned by four to six Marines. They blocked us because they were doing a live fire exercise. We heard a few explosions but that was about it.

Mitchell and Gray swab

Floating Refreshment

                           

The bad news is while sitting and waiting we must have backed over a crab pot and got the line tied up in one of our props.  It  made a terrible sound when we would put the boat in reverse.  We limped on in to Swansborough where we docked at the lovely City Marina, Church Street Dock. Called Tow Boat US, a must have for traveling boaters, to find a diver to get off whatever it was hung up on our boat.  Tow Boat US advised that that kind of emergency is covered by our policy with them.  Good news but when the diver went under the boat, we found that what ever had been hooked under there was now gone, but not before tearing up one of our props

Tow Boat U.S. 

Diver readying

                           



Monday 14 August 2017
We left Swansboro at 0730 this morning in a heavy mist, headed north.  Still having trouble with the reverse on one of our engines.  We didn't care for the service or lack of concern at the Dudley Boat Yard.  So we decided to head north and look for some service in the town of Oriental, further north. By the way, ladies and gentlemen, this advice came from New York John, yesterday's Uber driver.  You know those Uber drivers are just a wealth of knowledge. I remember when I started boating, just a few years ago, we had to depend on a marina having a loaner car, or the good graces of someone that lived in the marina where we were stopped.  Now days you can just call up your local Uber driver.  The times they are a changin'.

Return to the Rivers

"Connecting the Dots"

While this posting maybe a little confusing, let me confess that it is an attempt to bring the readers of this blog up to speed on what has and has not transpired with regard to the Sea Me Smile in the few years that I have been it's Skipper.  By the time you finish reading this posting, you will hopefully be up to speed on what has happened and what I hope is going to happen.   A lot of time has transpired.  I am going to put in a few notes to help "connect the dots".     

The Trip South to Sell the Sea Me Smile. 

 28 August
There has been a lot of water over the damn since last the Sea Me Smile headed out on an adventure.  Some of the old crew and two new crew members have been hard at work, refitting the boat in an attempt to make life aboard a little easier, a little quieter and a little less expensive to travel with.  The old members are me, of course, and former Cabin Boy, Mitchell (now 16).  The new members are my grandson Grayson (10) and my son-in-law, Chris   

     Some of you might remember our former First Mate, Wayne Milhorn.  He is skipping this venture as he took a job as the head grounds keeper at the Playboy Mansion,w here he promptly fell in lust with one of the bunnies. And ... wait for it. ... He has married her!  The other grounds keepers are keeping me posted as to the date and time of the funeral  

     So we have put in a gas stove, solar panels and LED lights.  You see, I am a big fan of a fellow who wrote some books about "Looping" on the inland water ways (Skipper Bob).  One of his books lent itself to being able to anchor out, and generaly live and travel quieter and cheaper. Having a generator is wonderful, listening to it for hours on end, not so much.  

29 August
Today we plan on cleaning, stowing and generally preparing to go which we hope will happen about two o'clock this afternoon.   We got off to a late start.  However, like I always say, ninety percent of doing anything is starting. At 3:30 o'clock, we were in the Louden Lock ready to exit down river.
But by then, we were ready to call it a day as it was quite late.  So in desperation (small d), we found a little cove with high hills on both sides and anchored out.  You see my son-in-law is a "plug in at a marina" type of guy.  For him, marinas have lots of amenities, but most of all it has those things called plugs that allow the air conditioner to run all night, quietly.  As it turned out, my high hills blocked the sun very early and a nice breeze came up which made for good sleeping.

2 September
Fishing didn't seem to hold the same attraction for sixteen year old, Mitchell, as it did for twelve year old, Mitchell.  We hear a lot of talk about the need for special "spinner bait".  The need for yet a different type of pole.  It wouldn't be worth the effort etc.  However high speed runs or trips in the dinghy do now hold a special place in his heart.  Must be the age.

5 September
Goose Pond, Alabama, was our first maintenance snafu.  We had an impeller go bad on us so we landed her on a Saturday late which meant no help at the very capable boat yard located there. It was here that a new term was born for our family boating adventures.  Chris was dismayed that we were probably going to have to lay up for a couple of days-- till Monday when the shop opened and we could buy an impeller.  It was about ten in the morning when I told him that I was I going to "Walk the Docks" in the hopes of finding an impeller.  This was met with something of a scoff.  But I headed out visiting and asking along the way about an impeller.  I arrived at one boat with a fellow on the fantail and a lady quietly reading up top.  I asked and the fellow shook his head no and further added that he knew of no one.  The wife, up top, at this point joined the conversation, saying "What about Diesel Dan"? Just hearing his moniker made my heart jump a little.  I was told he had a boat in the marina and. if he was in town, he most certainly would be able to help us. And she was right via the marina staff a call was put into Diesel Dan who said he had dozens of what we need BUT, he was mowing the front yard and then promised to take his wife to church.  BUT, if we wanted,  he would lay two impellers out on his trash can and we could leave the money in the same place.  He did, we did and "Walking the Docks" will forever have special significance for our boating family. We were on our way again that afternoon.

We anchored out on the Islands that evening.  This area must be a bass fisherman's paradise. They gather around these grass infested islands and skip their bait across the water without getting snagged. Not as much grousing from Chris about anchoring out. I may be winning this one.

We docked that evening in a cove called Indian Creek near mile marker 320.  It's near the town of Triana, Alabama.  This cove was, in fact, part of the old Feames Canal.  In the early 1800's, fifteen ton keel boats used the canal to move bales of cotton destined for Huntsville.

Next, we were sitting in the Guntersville Lock.  This is Chris's first lock through as captain.  And Grayson  worked the "Swamp Donkey" You can't tie, hard and fast, or you might have a thirty thousand pound boat hanging thirty feet in the air.  Till the line broke or the cleat gave way.  The survivors would be talking about an E ride like that for years to come.

We passed Ditto Landing and are getting closer to Alligator Country.

Arrived at Joe Wheeler State Park in a downpour, but as you might imagine a downpour in Alabama in September is a warm experience.

Left Joe Wheeler just in time to get behind a tow boat that was going to take two and a half hours  to lock through.  We found a cove, made some breakfast, cleaned up and took a swim.  Locked through only to find that Lake Wilson is only twelve miles long and we are once again behind the same tow boat.
We decided to do a little sleuthing. It turns out that the Tennessee River at this point has 140 feet of vertical drop, in 68 miles.  Hence the two dams in close proximity.  Then from Wilson to Pickwick there is another 104 feet of drop in just 15 miles.  When we arrived at the Wilson Lock we were told that our friends in the tow boat would be another two and a half hours.  Then they were going to close that lock for four hours for repairs.  Then at ten that night he was putting through another tow boat.  So we figured that we were going no where fast and found ourselves a nice little spot within view of the lock, and hunkered down for the night, we think.

Then Chris determines that he has neither cell service nor cigarettes.  There are two marinas on Wilson Lake but neither has a ship's store.  The one we picked out sets on the other side of a highway bridge that we can't sail under.  Our clearance is twenty-three feet with the antenna down.  Chris, not wanting to accept defeat decides to get in the dingy and motors. Yep, into the sunset!  An hour later we see him walking in the direction of the boat he is up on the highway.  As it turns out a man really will walk a mile for a camel.  And that's how far it was to the store.  With regard to the cell service, it turns out that the system was down and it had nothing to do with our location.
The bad news for the day (yes, there was more) Chris had forgotten to put the dingy motor in the up position when he got out and we got underway.  At some point Mitchell looked back and the dingy which was in tow and noticed that the motor was missing from the dingy.  Yep, "One pull Johnson", sleeps with the fishes. That's what we called the dingy motor as it was so reliable. Jumped up early the next morning and got through the lock.  We had been stuck on that stretch for what seemed like days.

More bad news at the Ten Tom Water Way

We noticed that there wasn't much river traffic as we headed down the Ten Tom Water Way and as we entered our first lock there, the lock master came on the radio and advised that we had two more locks and then the water way was shut down for fourteen days.  Now it turns out if we hadn't been stuck on Wilson for all that time we would have made it through.Well, this would conclude the first leg of the turn to Florida with the SMS.  We found a little marina by the name of Midway.  Made arrangements to leave the boat there and headed home for Mitchell's birthday.

Well, a quick synopsis, We returned to Midway and continued on down to Mobile Bay, where we again separated from the boat and left it for sale there.  However after little or no action in the sale department we returned and took it to Stuart, Florida where it finally did sell the Sea Me Smile to a fellow and his wife who plan on doing the Great Loop with it.  I don't know what the boat is named now nor how they did on their adventure. Now we are in a newer Carver boat now by the name of Agreatday.  We have made it up the coast to Wilmington, North Carolina and put her to rest for awhile. This coming Thursday, August Tenth , we (Chris, Grayson, Mitchell and myself) will head north just to see what's around the bend.  I hope to get some pictures and adventures posted so you can follow our adventures.    
    
     

UBER

AND HOW IT CAME TO BE



Those of you, who know me, know that I suffer from a case of "happy feet". I get itchy from inaction and I inevitably have to find something to do. And at least for the past seventy years, it has involved some kind of activity. If you know me, you also know that I love to be around people. I'm only an isolationist when I want to be and that is, mostly, at home. I've often been asked by younger people: "Explain to me again how you get tired of being retired?"

I grew up an "Army Brat" who was born in Germany and lived in Europe and all over the United States. I got lucky however, as my father, a career Army officer, separated from his service in Monterey, California. So after an enormous number of elementary schools, I was able to settle down and finish my education in one place. For an Army kid that's as good as it gets. That's the reason I call, Monterey, home.

About ten months ago, Uber ride share came to the Tri-Cities area of Tennessee where I reside. I figured that I should at least give this employment a try. Let me see... First of all, it gets me out of the house. Second, I learn my way around the area where I live. Third, I get to meet people, most of them fun and interesting and some of them very fun and very interesting. Plus, as a retired cop, who put tires to the pavement for a long, long time, I am not averse to driving and think I am pretty good at it. But best of all, I get paid to do this.

The Tri-Cities area is in North Eastern Tennessee. The "Tri" is comprised of Kingsport, home to the Eastman Chemical Company, Johnson City, home of East Tennessee State University and Bristol, home to one of NASCAR's most famous race tracks, Lightning in a Bottle.  The area, it could be argued, is also the roots of country music. It's a fascinating region for a historian as it was the frontier for nearly a hundred years prior to the Revolutionary War. You see, Tennessee used to be part of North Carolina. Then to repay its war indebtedness to the Federal Government, North Carolina gave the lands that are now Tennessee to the government and the rest, as they say, is history. This truly is Davy Crockett country. His birthplace is not too far from my home.

My move to this part of the country came about as the result of grandchildren. Although I always thought that California would be my retirement home, as my daughters and their families began to relocate to Tennessee, I felt compelled to follow. So I often tell my riders, when they ask how I ended up here:"The Reader's Digest version of that is "grandkids'". It is beautiful country and the real estate market was advantageous for someone making the move from the California housing market. When I first moved here, I put a big California-style deck on the back of my house. The next year, I covered half of it so that I can sit out when it rains (about the same amount as Portland, Oregon). And as I try to fit in with the locals, I now refer to it as the "back porch". Another plus was that there is no income tax here. And besides I think my wife would have come East without me had I decided to let my mule-headed side show.

The first few months were sort of slow going in the Uber market but as folks became aware of the service being offered in the Tri-Cities, ridership has picked up. This particular market place would be hard to make a living in. However for a retired cop, it works out fine for me. I always have the option to choose when and where I want to drive. So if there is a pressing event that I want to attend, I don't have to say those inevitable words: "Sorry, I have to work." A very nice thing for someone with
happy feet......

Graveyards Aren't So Scary in the Morning

"Get Me From The Church on Time"


Ubering is my new passion.  I will write a story on how the Uber thing came to pass another time but for now I have been meaning to share some stories about rides that I have been giving.  On this particular Sunday morning, I received an early morning call to a freeway intersection with a local popular street.  I first responded to the trucking company that has a rather large yard there.  I frequently pick up truck drivers that are having their trucks repaired and take them to a local hotel for a day or two.  Alas, no truck driver this particular morning. 

Finally, I called my perspective passenger. Josh answered. I told him that I'm having a little trouble locating him.  He reiterated that he is at the intersection and added that he is in the graveyard of the church at that intersection.  I ask him to stay on the phone with me as I am only a minute away.  As I crested the hill I saw Josh .... and he truly was wandering about the graveyard with his cell phone pressed against his ear, explaining to me that he is trying to figure a way out of the graveyard.  You see, the church is not being used at the present time, the driveways are all gated and the graveyard has a wall around it.  Relieved to see me,  Josh, a good-looking young man of about twenty-six years, six feet tall, well-dressed but otherwise looking like something the proverbial cat dragged in, approached the wall to be rescued. 

I digress:  You see in police work, we had a term for folks like Josh; they were called Leftovers. It's not necessarily a derogatory description, but it can be.  It basically means something went terribly wrong in the wee hours of the morning and they are, at daylight, till rescue, wandering amongst us.  I use the term wander because if you have ever seen a person coming off an alcohol induced Good Time .... well, they don't exactly stride. It's more of a calculated shuffle. In Josh's case, it resembled "Get Me From The Church on Time".  

Josh finally scales the wall and his escape from the graveyard is complete.
Once in the car,  I determine his destination.  Pleasantries are exchanged. Josh takes a couple deep breaths and sighs in a manner that indicates: Now everything is going to be fine.  

After a couple of miles in silence, I can't help myself and I ask:  "Josh, you're not the graveyard grounds keeper, are you?"  "No", he replies, "I was partying with this girl last night, we had had a few drinks and for some reason she told me to get out of her car.  She then drove off and left me.  I tried to call for an Uber but I was having a little trouble working the application. So I laid down between two tombstones and went to sleep. The sun woke me up and I called you."  "I see," I said.  

Then I noticed Josh was on the phone.  The conversation went something like this: "Hey Mom, yea, Uber Bob has me and I should be home in about fifteen minutes".  He then put his head back and rested, responding only to prompts by Uber Bob regarding directions.  There was no tip that morning, however I feel sure that Josh was very grateful to finally be home.... Apparently, it had been a long night.