Return to the Outer Banks, The Last Days

Thursday, May 12. I decided early that I would stay in town. I was a social day in Oriental with a warm, healthy dose of nice people on the docks. I met Malinda and Keith from TownDock.net. They were interested in writing a feature on my trip, I agreed, and Malinda took pictures with "real" cameras and lots of notes. In the afternoon I sculled them around the basin and we had fun talking about boats.

As I was cleaning out the "down below" a kayaker came by and chatted. We struck it off and he invited me to the marina where he and his wife, Julie, were preparing for a new life as live-aboards on their 35' sail. Hunter cooked a tasty stir fry and we talked about cruising. Hunter offered to take me to Paradise Marina to get the truck and trailer. I happily agreed and left the rig next to Annie for the night.

Time to pack up

The next morning I hauled out at the NC Wildlife boat ramp and headed south. I decided to drop by Frogmore on St. Helena Island outside Beaufort, SC. My friend and fellow bluegrass player Beek owns a restaurant there. When I arrived I found that he was away so I had a great dinner and left again to look for a campground. I found one late near Hilton Head with everyone asleep and the office closed. Parked, jumped in Annie, awoke early, showered and headed home.

Annie and I had tracked 255 miles over 12 days. It was an unforgettable adventure. Time to started planning...