Funny things happen sometimes when you least expect them to.

Like trying out a recipe for bread that sounds so contrary that you can't possibly think it's going to work.. and well, it did, and it does, and it's not only the easiest, but best ever type of artisan bread I have experimented with.

Here's what it looked like,



After a few too many slices, we dinghied towards "town" here in Solomons Island, found the public dock (no small feat when the whole shoreline is riddled with wharves and fingers), and well, how about a sign saying "public dock" (??) tied up, and entered through the county sheriff's office to this:



Such a picturesquely pretty town,



and great for a brisk fall type of walk, especially if you've been on the boat for way too long (and eaten way too much bread !)

It being the end of tourist season, many of the shops were already closed, things starting to look deserted, and the seagulls have firmly taken hold.



Walking the main street was informative, the boardwalk dotted with information panels on the history of this area, but always fun is to walk the local neighbourhoods, discovering how the locals residents truly live, and came across this... perhaps the town ran out of creative names in naming it's streets ?



This, in front of an art gallery, was creatively brilliant,



and what do you know, proof positive that pumpkins really do grow on trees !



At the Tiki Bar we sighted our very first palm trees, how exciting!! However there was no walking in the sand barefoot, as we (we including Dave !) were wearing socks !



After a ginormous burger for Dave, and a BLT for me (we really need to learn to share a lunch!), we rolled ourselves back into Dinghy and went gunkholing. Somehow the song "this is a creek that never ends" crept into my head... for we literally dinghied along for a couple of hours, following the creek, that, I am sad to report, eventually did end.



But so gorgeous and tranquil - the fall foliage starting to emerge... The protected and quiet shoreline had hidden herons everywhere,



The Lusby's of Madcap mentionned we should keep an eye open for a friend of theirs, and sure enough, we turned around a corner, and not only came across her, but her owner was onboard and we stopped to say hello. Small world !

On our way back we noticed a couple of fellow boats anchored with us, and of all things, they were flying the red and white flag too !! We recognized Chances, whom we met briefly back in Annapolis, but never really had a chance to connect with.

We scooted on over to say hello. Funny how a simple Hello can change your life sometimes ? Anyhow here we were, rafted up to their dinghy, on Mill Creek, chit-chatting with Dennis and Christine (and Leroy the cat!)



and later joined by another Canadian, Knot Yet, that also came in to anchor for the night, saw the familiar red and white flag, and dinghied over to say Hello.

So often I am struck with how it can truly be such a small, small world... Six Degrees of Separation and all that. Here we are, 3 dinghies rafted up on this quiet creek, enjoying chit-chatting about life, where we're from, where we're going... and we come to find out that Knot Yet is from TO, and when I asked them specifically, they mentionned Kincardine.

Now, my very dear best friend (whom I've never laid eyes on) in the ten years that we've maintained our friendship via email, lives not far from there, and what are the chances that they know each other ?

Here we are, our dinghies rafted up to Chances, talking about "live the moment" and life is short, and taking chances, chances are that they did know each other.

So another day has gone by, made truly special by slowing down and living the moment, taking chances and saying "hello" and three hours later, we were still sitting in our dinghies, chit-chatting and enjoying sundowners (thanks Chances!), and watching the sun-set.



Funny thing life, ain't it ? Quite magical actually....