Thanksgiving on the boat. Strong southwest winds as predicted today pushing us away from the dock. It is warm here, predicted to get colder when the wind changes to the North tonight.
Walked to bathhouse at dawn and heard great horned owls calling. Spotted two of them on top of a mast. Watched them fly to another mast and then to the woods beyond the marina.
The marina staff are on holiday today so it is just those of us at the dock. There are two other couples here, Chip and Jill on a fine trawler and Chuck and Mary and their dog of a lovely Hinkley sailing vessel. Then there is Jeff and his two Australian shepherd type dogs on a catamaran. Chip and Jill managed to invite all to a small gathering in the afternoon.
Spent the morning making the pie and texting about pie making with family in Charlottesville. Made a pie for two and some mini- pies using 1/2 a recipe. Used a can of tomatoes for a rolling pin. So nice to feel like we were with family on this day.
Went to Blue Note around 3. Chuck and Mary did a little fishing trip in their dinghy in the wind and caught a speckled trout. Fun to hear stories and plans of other boaters. Some of them are trying to meet up with friends along the way. Jeff is waiting for parts to fix motor. Some with loftier goals to sail across the Atlantic next year. We also met Sandy and his dog Hazel who was well behaved and friendly. Jill kept everyone with food and drink, all the while cooking a full thanksgiving for later.
We went back to boat. Thanksgiving of sliced turkey, stuffing, cranberry ( missed the good cranberry relish that Jer makes). All the same it tasted like Thanksgiving. We lit a candle (Loblolly pine) made by our friend Jesse back home. Texted and watched the movie Safe Haven.
Planning outside passage tomorrow or Saturday. Options include Little river, Georgetown, Winyah Bay, Charleston. Will check with Chris Parker weather in the am before making an ever so tentative decision.