Friday Day 6
By now we are starting to get into the rhythm of being "at sea " The first few days I was stressed about "getting things done" I am gradually sliding into the cruising mode.... I haven't gotten as far as the lady who said "Pull up a chair, we're swapping stories" I don't think I ever will but I am getting comfortable with pulling into a marina at 1:00 and calling it a day. Which is exactly what we did today

We arrived at Cape Fear River State Park, the park Paul had been raving about ever since his trip here 2 years ago with Scott. It was everything Paul had described it as: pristine with great hiking trails and a FULL SREVICE MARINA-- I don't think I've ever actually seen one at a park. We immediately hit the trails and went for a 3 mile hike. Shadow was in ecstasy!! This marina provided the opportunity to do laundry and had incredible showers. I ran the mile to Food Lion and bought supplies to have a cookout. Our thought was to pretend we are camping not sailing!

We were assigned a dock on the outskirts of the marina where there was only one other attended boat. Paul approached the guy and made some niceties which were met with no response. Ten minutes later as we played Pandora and after the first 2 versus of a John Prine song the neighbor came over and said "turn that down". OK this was not during evening hours or even during the "dinner hour". This was the work hour! Paul was settling in on an engine tune up. You need music when you are doing engine work, right? We figured this guy was pissed 'cause we pulled up with the dog, the kid, and the whole "cruising family" and encroached on his solitude.

Our plans for having a cookout were scrapped due to the cold temperature and the distance to the picnic area so we cooked aboard and roasted 'mallows over the gas grill. It was a very enjoyable evening aboard Dawn Patrol. We need to make some time tomorrow so we will fly the spinnaker and haul down the Cape Fear River yeee hawww!!!!

P.S. Early the next morning as the "Curmudgeon" was tending to his boat Paul and TR walked by and cheerfully greeted him "good morning". We were met with zero response. Paul remarked to Susannah that he might be deaf. "No way" responded Susannah--"He certainly didn't like John Prine!