MIDORI ADVENTURES

We departed Ninette on Wednesday, October 8th at 3:45 p.m. and drove to Fargo, ND. It was a beautiful autumn day with the trees in full colour and some trees actually bare. The weather prediction was for sleet on the upcoming weekend!

As we traveled South and East, we noted that the leaves were just starting to turn colour in South Dakota and Missouri, but there was some wonderful colours in the mountains of Tennessee which is further south - what's with that?

Two and a half days later (Saturday), we pulled up to Vernon's old family home in Charleston, SC. He rents out the main house, but maintains an attic apartment with his partner, Rose. It is the perfect size and the perfect arrangement for these cruisers. (You may remember that we traveled to the Abacos with Verne and Rose who were on CHIQUI II). Of course, we also very quickly fell in love with their new little puppy, "Salty" who is being potty trained to live on a boat (another story, another time). Our trip had been timed to make it to Verne's annual Pig Roast. And, that little piggy had been roasting on the BBQ all day! That evening, it was a real pleasure to meet their friends and enjoy the southern hospitality and eat that wonderful roasted pork with all the pot luck dishes. (I love pot luck!) We slept on their pull-out couch, and after a wonderful breakfast at one of their favorite places, departed on Sunday morning for Brunswick, Ga looking forward to seeing MIDORI.

But, not only were we going to see MIDORI, we also were going to meet up with Steve and Mary Ann from LIVING WELL! Due to a delay in their departure from Indiana to their boat in Florida, they were only 1 � days ahead of us and had decided to stop in Brunswick for a visit. After checking into the Days Inn, where they were also staying, we met for a late lunch at the IHOP and then drove (in separate, fully loaded vehicles) to the boatyard where we could view MIDORI through the chain link fence. (The boatyard is closed on Sundays.)

Then, off down the road to the Brunswick Landing Marina where we found Skip from ISOLDE II on dock #7, and Val & Harold from LA DOLCE VITA on dock # 8 who were being visited by Phil and Margaret from SUNSHINE. We had arrived just in time, as SUNSHINE and LA DOLCE VITA were planning their departure for Jacksonville on Tuesday. Plans were made to go out for a farewell dinner at Fox's on Monday night! Then, surprise, surprise, we bumped into Geoff and Ruth from GERU. We had parted company at Green Turtle Cay, Abacos, Bahamas and thought that they would be in the Dominican Republic by now. To read about their adventures, I highly recommend that you go to
http://svgeru.blogspot.com/

On Monday, Steve & Mary Ann stuck around because they wanted to see how MIDORI had survived for 3 � months under shrink wrap. A concern for all of us is mildew, but when the shrink wrap was removed and we got aboard everything was fine! No mildew! No damp, musty smell! However, the two house batteries were dead. So, the ambient light through the shrink wrap to the solar panels did not work as planned for the two 12 volt fans!
Steve stuck around to help Brian replace the shift cable on the port motor and, as Brian relayed to me later - it was so nice to be able to work with someone who understood :).

We said farewell (for now) to Phil & Margaret, Val & Harold on Monday night at dinner at Fox's and then farewell (for now) to Steve & Mary Ann on Tuesday morning at breakfast at our new favourite place - Jim's - in downtown Brunswick.

Stay tuned..............

Lynn