Today was a gorgeous motor up the Waccamaw River. It is lined by cyprus trees and swamp and we saw little traffic save some early morning fisherman. This is one of my favorite rivers on the trip. It reminds me of canoe trips we've taken over the years, especially when we passed a camp along one of the sandy beaches and caught a waft of their morning fire.
Things changed as we approached Myrtle Beach. It was Saturday and every jet ski and motor boat in the county was whizzing up and down enjoying the warm spring day. It's especially nerve-wracking in the infamous "Rock Pile" section which is a narrrow dredged channel through rock ledges. Not a place you want to go aground. However, no worries and soon enough we were safely docked at Coquina Yacht Club in Calabash. Sandy the dockmaster was as friendly and helpful as ever and this particular marina remains a very good deal.
Cousin Ed came and picked us up and we enjoyed two great evenings and a combat jug of Paisano wine. Ed and his friend Bill started drinking this special wine down in the Keys and it has now become a tradition in the Dodson household. There is only a certain palate that can appreciate this sample of Gallo's finest ;-) Lois was away at a convention the first night but returned for the second so we got a chance to visit with her as well. Monday morning Lois took me to her hairdresser's for a much-needed haircut. It sure felt good to get a summer-do.