Thankful for the rain

Summer Days stops and helps a grounded sailboat

The season of goodwill and giving thanks has arrived.  Imagine is tied to a face dock in an unseasonably chilly Georgetown, South Carolina.  We thought we would be in Florida by now and sharing a communal Thanksgiving dinner with fellow cruisers in Vero Beach.  Not happening.

The temperatures continue to hover in the mid-forties and near gale force winds continue to howl offshore as yet another storm haunts the coast. While I wish I had warmer weather, I am thankful for the rain and cold temperatures that have kept us dock bound.  We could have run into the storms offshore.  Ten-foot waves and 30-knot winds aren’t fun when there is no land in sight.

We left Coinjock, NC almost two weeks ago.  Imagine snaked through foggy marshes, motored across the still Albemarle Sound, followed the magenta line through the Alligator Pungo Canal and anchored outside Belhaven, NC. 

Even though skies were gray and cold, it was nice to be moving again.  For a brief moment the skies gave way to blue as we watched as a motorboat turn around to pull a sailboat off a shoal.  I was thankful that it wasn’t Imagine aground.  It made me thankful for the good Captain on the motor yacht Sunny Days who cared enough to help a fellow boater.

The following day, traveling the Bay River, we hung over the bow rail and laughed as a pod of dolphins played in our wake, swimming, diving, jumping and spraying the foredeck as they cleared their blowholes.  The dolphins fell behind as we turned into the Neuse River.  

That evening we anchored with three other sailboats on the South River.  Despite the cold dismal day, it was a good one.  A quiet anchorage, a free dolphin show and homemade bread that filled the cabin with it’s wonderful essence, what more could one ask for?

The following day Imagine continued south towards Morehead City Yacht basin to fill up on diesel.  The sun came out for the first time since we left our homeport.  By the time we tied to the fuel dock, we had shed our gloves, hats and layers of vests, sweaters and jackets.   It was 75 degrees.   That, and a two-day weather window, encouraged us to take Imagine offshore to Georgetown.  The 24-hour offshore jaunt would save us four days doing the Intracoastal Waterway crawl.   After calling family with our changed float plan, Imagine headed offshore through a flotilla of small fishing craft taking advantage of the Veteran’s Day holiday and the beautiful weather.

By nightfall, the skies turned cloudy again.  Wind clocked to the south and on our nose. Ed pulled in the headsail and cranked down the main to keep them from flapping.  He went below as I came up for my five-hour watch.  The radar showed some rain heading our way.   As Imagine plowed southward the winds kicked up and the waves reached about five feet as we passed through the brief storms.   I was thankful that the rain was coming from the south in short bursts that lasted no more than a half hour.  With only a bimini and dodger for protection, the open cockpit would not have kept me dry.

Gray skies followed us as we sailed into Winyah Bay the next morning.  Imagine was docked at Georgetown’s Hazard Marina on the Sampit River by noon.   We would stay here a couple of days until the next weather window would take us to Florida.  

Eight days later the wind howls from the Northeast and the tubular rubber fenders squeak as the wind blows Imagine tighter to the dock.  It has rained every day.   On day three we meet up with some boating friends for lunch in historic Georgetown.  I am thankful for all of my friends, both on land and on sea.

The ICW from here to Florida is not an option for Imagine with its deep six foot, five inch draft.  Five to seven foot tides are the norm in South Carolina and Georgia.  With the winds the tides can go even lower.  With the shoaling in the shallow ICW, it is not prudent for us to attempt this section.  We wait to go offshore.  I have a warm boat to wait in and again I’m thankful.

Thanksgiving season is one time that I remind myself of my blessings. Sometimes it is hard to remember all that we have to be grateful for, especially when bombarded with images of war, greed and disaster crashing into our living rooms, our computers, our radios and even our cell phones.  No matter how challenging one’s life is now, there is someone who is in worse shape.

During this season, I work to be kinder, to share a smile with strangers.  That small gesture might make their day.  I appreciate all who inspire me.  I am thankful for my education and the fact I can read, and write, and see, and hear.  I am thankful for my memories and for those who make a difference in the lives of others.

I know time of year is hard for those who have lost loved one’s recently and in the past.  Take a moment in the comfort of the many memories you will carry forever in your heart.  Know your loved one will never entirely leave you.   Be thankful for all the years you were able to share.   

Throughout the year there is so much to be thankful for. For me it is my family, my husband, my children, my grandchildren and the new one that will arrive next summer.  It is my morning cup of coffee, a good book, a rainbow, and friends.   Now that I’ve started, I can go on and on. 

If you are reading this, I challenge you to take a moment during this time of thanksgiving and goodwill to discover what makes you thankful.  Happy Thanksgiving.