Jere Lull wrote in
news:2008071400431716807-jerelull@maccom:

Let's switch to those who have survived LONGER from having cut the
docklines.



That would be the old boy we met on the docks at City Marina in St
Augustine. He was in an old steel ketch he single handed from Ft
Lauderdale. Damn I can't remember his name, Mack or something like
that....

He asked me to come over to his boat in following morning after he dragged
us around to EVERY bar on EVERY street in St Augustine where EVERYONE
behind a bar knew him like an old friend. What a crazy night! I've never
set in a bar and been the center of attention of every bar girl cruising
the floors.

I showed up after dragging myself out of the Endeavour 35 we were in and he
wanted me to key in some new waypoints into his old Garmin because his
hands were so crippled up with arthritis he was in terrible pain pressing
the buttons. We soon loaded the Garmin up and I politely declined the
offer to switch boats and head for points unknown.

"My wife gets sick of me and tells me to go take the boat 'somewhere'", he
smiled through a face well beaten by wind and waves....a true old man of
the sea.

The ketch is a custom steel cruiser painted blue and looking lived in. If
you see it...go introduce yourself and enjoy the ride! We took him to
dinner at the big restaurant next to the marina. They knew him, too, and
I'm convinced the huge meals we were given were a direct result of being in
his company...(c;

Don't plan on getting up early to go up the ICW.......That ain't gonna
happen after a crazy night like that! We slept till noon! The boat can
wait....