June 10, 2012 Southport, North Carolina

Saturday June 10, 2012

It was a short sail but a good one, motor sailing actually, from Now River Inlet to Southport, NC.  I had never seen Bald Head Island so close as the only way to get there was by boat.  They don’t even have cars on the heavily residential island,  only to get from place to place by golf cart.  Life must be quiet on Bald Head Island.  Even the light house, which happens to be one of my favorites in appearance in North Carolina, stands silent, her last beam of light many years ago.  Coming into port was quite a sight.  Sail boats were all around us, fishing boats screaming by, reminding me of how we have choices of how fast life can pass us by.  I choose the wind in my sails.  Coming into port, one of those speeding boats hooked my line that was trailing behind us.  “You caught a fish” Fred said.  It was a huge one, taking the line from behind us to the port side working it’s way past us.  “Wow”, I thought, this is by far the fastest biggest fish I caught.  I jumped up and grabbed the line and before I knew it, it had burned 4 stripes on my hand from the friction of the speed of the line running through my hand.  I quickly let go and realized that speeding boat had snagged my line.  I sat back and let it take the line, knowing it would not be long until all the line was out and it would break.  It did, leaving me a little bit of line as a reminder how fast life can get away from us, even in the quiet moments.  The speeding boat choked a bit and then carried on it way, and I was glad I didn’t have another fish to clean in the cockpit because the strength of what I thought I caught could have made a mess on the boat during the cleaning process.  Southport is a favorite little sea port of mine, old and lots of fishing boats.  It is easy to see where their survival came from years gone by.  Fishing boats at every rickety dock dotted here and there by an occasional new recreational vessel. Southport is a quiet sleepy town, live oaks everywhere, old streets and southern homes lining thestreets.  Although preservation is not active in Southport, NC that I can see, the residents take great pride in maintaining it’s image, caring for the landscapes as well as the homes, all seeming to be from years gone by.  Fred knew such an owner of one f these homes on the waterfront so we stopped and sat on their porch, sifting the past of memories they still embraced.  His friend had passed 6 months ago today but his wife has planned to live out the rest of her life in the old home on the waterfront they worked so hard to preserve, putting their heart and soul in the property.  It was a beautiful view from the slanting old wooden porch, facing the marsh grasses only to be separated by a small road, mostly frequented by foot although there were the occasional auto passing by here and there.  I could see why she couldn’t leave.  I had a hard time leaving that beautiful view myself.  I had to remind myself that Fred and I have this every day from the boat, being careful not to go in the wanting mode and staying grateful for what I did have.  God gives us what he wants us to have, and I certainly feel blessed just having Fred in my life.  The shrimp boat had just arrived the night before and fresh shrimp was going for $3.00 a pound.  I am allergic to shrimp and Fred decided not to go for any, taking me for a walk and a cup of black cherry ice cream instead.  We walked downtown, a pretty little town and then later on had dinner at the Provision Company Restaurant.  Not surprised the menu was full of seafood entrees I found a hamburger and fries, happy I could have something to eat.   We walked that off by going to the big marina and walking the finger docks, looking at all the boats.  We met a couple and had a long chat with them.  They are taking Montana Sky to Wilmington to be worked on and return to their home state.  Their trip for the year is coming to an end also.  Back to the boat as we watched our last sunset and we watched a movie.  Tomorrow is a big day, a last for this adventure and a new beginning to the next.  I can’t say this enough...God is so good!