Mike and Brenda on "Velsignet"

“Have we met before?” Brenda asked this good-looking guy at a Looper gathering last night.   As their eyes met, he gave little to no response (you know the look… when you’re going way back into your memory closet, trying to somehow find some sort of a recollection…).   Then the attractive woman next to him came to his rescue and asked, “Does he remind you of someone famous?”   Brenda’s response…”Maybe that’s it!”   The ensuing conversation (Mike included) with the Welsh-accented Quentin and American Caline—a couple from New York City who love boating and traveling (jokingly, “half”-Loopers—not officially looping, but have boated at least half of America's Great Loop from Canada to the Bahamas!) left us parting ways with plans to reunite before we begin cruising up the Hudson River.   Yesterday we took our bikes to shore and rode the “The Spanish Moss Trail” to the little town of Port Royal.   We continued to Sand Beach, had lunch at “Fish Camp,” visit...

Last night we watched "The Great Santini"--based on Pat Conroy's book which was filmed in Beaufort.  Tonight we're watching "The Prince of Tides"--another movie filmed in Beaufort and the low country area based on a Conroy book.  ("The Big Chill" is another film/book by Pat Conroy filmed in this area).  On our Clydesdale-drawn carriage tour of the historic district of Beaufort, we were shown the home in which Pat Conroy lived while in Beaufort, as well as other homes and areas  in films (including "Forest Gump").  As we listened to our tour guide tell of Beaufort's history and features, blue angels flew overhead as part of the Beaufort's Air Show festivities.  This and the spring flora abloom....What a great time to visit Beaufort, SC! Beaufort, SC is located just two hours from Hilton Head on the ICW (48 minutes by car).  It's a town of roughly 13,000 that was founded in the early 1700s by an Englishman (after the Spanish a...

Skull Creek Marina--where we are anchored next to and allowed to dock our dinghy--is in the gated community of Hilton Head Plantation.  As we leave the Plantation on our bikes, we are a bit disconcerted as we have been denied by the gate keepers a pass which will allow us to re-enter.  Bicycling around us is a young mother with a toddler sitting in an attached trailer who whispers to us the code for re-entry as she passes us on the trail.  YES!  No more worries.  We're in! Hilton Head Island reminds us so very much of our Mercer Island in Washington:  (1) The air is fresh with its floral scents and lots of birds singing; (2) Neighborhoods are nicely manicured and cared for; and (3) the amenities (parks, shopping, services, golf) are convenient and abundant.  Mostly, we appreciated how Hilton Head is a bicyclist's heaven--bike trails everywhere! Today we explored Hilton H ead via bike trails, exceeding 40 miles on this island that is only 12 miles ...

We arrived at the Coffee Bluff Marina in Savannah this past Monday.  Velsignet--having endured a terrible storm Easter weekend--was without injury on the outside, strewn with fallen items inside, and had developed a problem with the air conditioning.  Mike found a source for the air conditioning part and by Tuesday evening, we had air conditioning again!   Keeping things ship-shape requires maintenance of boat and body.  Brenda's left leg has been bothering her--especially in the knee area.  She iced, elevated and babied the leg and the pain just increased.  During our stay in Saint Paul, Brenda sought expertise and learned that many of us can be very "right-side" oriented where our right sides are much stronger than our left.  On the boat with the steep stairs and constant movement, her legs have been forced to work equally... and her left leg was complaining.  And now, having returned to Velsignet, Brenda is no longer babying her left leg and...

Standing in the street with our jackets protecting us from the rain, the 8:35 am city bus (last bus route for the morning) was approaching our stop.  Each of us (1) waved to the driver, (2) watched in surprise as the bus rounded the corner and continued on its way without so much as slowing, and (3)  began to run after the bus, arms waving wide and wild.  Realizing the bus was not going to stop, we reversed directions to meet the bus when it had completed the block.  As expected, the bus arrived at the stop sign and, despite two grown adults running towards it flailing their arms to catch a ride, turned the corner and left the neighborhood.  As we stopped along side the street, bent over trying to catch our breath, an angel named Kristy in a dark GMC 4-door pickup appeared. Kristy witnessed our attempts to flag down the city bus (we must've looked like maniacs...how embarrassing!).  She lives less than a block from Coffee Bluff Marina in a house that wa...

“Six reasons to smile ” is written on the Krispy Kreme box that is delivered (which we happily accept) to our boat each morning (It’s a Thunderbolt Marina tradition for its guests).   The ½ dozen glazed donuts are only the start of the smiles we feel for Savannah, a graceful city with a past that is both rich and dark, southern style cuisine, many park squares and historic homes, live-oak-and-Spanish-moss-lined streets and sweet air from the flowering landscape. Kathy and Steve (“Red Pearl”) greeted us at the dock at Thunderbolt Marina on Sunday.   It was early afternoon so we quickly got Vesignet situated.  Before long the four of us were on our bicycles maneuvering the 5-mile trek towards Savannah’s Riverfront.   We quickly assessed what shops and restaurants were offered and (upon a disheveled local’s recommendation… which cost us $1) decided to experience “Scampy’s” for dinner (fried food at its best!).   We found our way back to the marina via bike ro...