They left Key West Wednesday morning and are headed towards Charleston, SC. Chris might head back home from there depending on how long it takes them to move up the coast. Graham will go on to Myrtle Beach to meet up with his parents & brother. They hope to be around the area by August 24th.
Tuesday - July 22, 2008
Made 50 miles yesterday but was about 5 miles and 1 lock short of goal. Much to do with tows. I decided to chop day 2 in half, 23 miles and done by noon. I was really tempted to keep going after I breezed in & out of Rankin & Fulton locks (Rankin lock was actually waiting for me this time) but in many ways, I'm happy to take it easy today. It's way less stress as well as a chance to meet locals and see town.
Proprietor, Jessie Cox, talked me into the Smithville Marina and a man named John was there to help me in as well. It's a very rustic Marina, but such a good feeling and the people are so nice. There are many live-aboards from nothern areas here. Smithville Marina is on Mr. Cox's farm which he leases. The water is over part of the old farm which Jessie enjoys looking at from his rocking chair on his front porch. He's an elderly man with his own thick head of reddish hair, freckles abound and some that blend together over large areas. As we sit in rocking chairs on the porch, I eventually prompt him that we need to settle up. Which shows me that while I feel my rhythm is acclimating some, I still have not settled down to the molasses meandering of the Tenn Tom in Summer. (Smithville Marina - $26.50)
The other man John, who was working on his engine, later drove me into Smithville to get water and meet his friend, George. George had sailed around the world starting from San Diego and going West. He was currently working on a wooden boat in his backyard that his Great Grandfather & Grandfather had built in Ohio, then moved it to Michigan and George had motored around on as a child. It was nice meeting some of the locals and getting to see a little of the town.
Now I'm off to get some rest and ready for the next long day on the river....
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