Weather Delayed in Oriental NC...it is boating you know!

Hey Friends and Family,

We arrived in Oriental NC on Tuesday after a very busy week of cruising and some time off to go back home for a very sad event.

First, we left from St Augustine on Sunday, March 13 cruising up the ICW with a planned stop in Fernandina Beach Fl. About an hour out, we received a call from our daughter Holly. She was in tears relaying that River, our great dog for over 15 years, had declined rapidly in health and was unable to stand or bark. Cathy had just returned from D.C. two days earlier with River in very good health at that time so this phone call was a shock. We quickly decided to put the boat at a marina for a few days and drive back to D.C. as we all wanted to see River again before it was too late. We also called our daughter, Marylee, who is staying with her grandmother in N.C.

Everyone drove back and met at the house on Monday evening. That evening was extremely emotional for everyone as we realized the gravity of River's health. There were stories told of River of old as we all cried while petting him as much as possible. He still recognized everyone but was unable to stand without assistance ...he still smiled when we all would love on him.

That night River stayed in our bed room and we attended him through the night. It was obvious he was in pain but was also refusing to give in...always been an extremely tough dog. This is the dog that attacked a group of coyotes in Arizona who were trying to lure him out of the yard so they could make a meal of him....he killed two and sent the others scrambling...loving every minute of it. This is the dog that would love going on 10 mile runs with me and beg for more at the end of the run. This is the dog that patiently ate through our fence for 2 days to attack a large Rottweiler next door who everyone knew, including River, was a dangerous dog. River sent him to the vet. River would have died for any of us.

Cathy and I took him to the vet that morning where we discussed the situation with the vet, through tears, and decided to do the right thing...hardest decision I have EVER made. River sensed it I am sure. He was ready...we were not and would never be but life doesn't care. While River rested his head on my lap, Cathy and I stroked and cried as the assistant very compassionately administered a fatal dose of anesthesia. River's labored breathing slowed, his eyes shut ever so slightly, and he left us. I still cry when I think or write (as in now) about this. I have owned LOTS of dogs in my life...loved all of them. But River was special in so many ways. He is missed. There will never be another River.

We returned to the boat the next day and left early in the morning heading "outside" to avoid the Georgia ICW. We initially planned on coasting in at Hilton Head but starting bucking a head current. We made the decision to continue overnight and go direct to Charleston. We slowed to make the arrival in Charleston during daylight. We all took turns at watch with me taking the last watch to maneuver the boat through the extremely busy Charleston inlet during dawns light. It was a pretty sight as we cruised in past Ft Summter...dogding big container ships.

We spent that day in Charleston and saw the old market area enjoying a great meal...what else? The next day we left for Georgetown and then on to North Myrtle Beach. From there we slogged up the ICW only grounding once in Lockwoods Folly inlet...appropriately named. We were able to back off and try an alternate route (not marked) which was successful. Later when I discussed this with a rag boater, he relayed he grounded in the same place.

Right now we are in Oriental NC and have been for two days. Last night we had severe storms and I had to get up to tend the lines. I slipped on the dock and quite possibly have broken a bone in my left foot. It will have to wait until we return to Annapolis. Tomorrow the weather should improve and we will attempt the two-day run to Norfolk crossing some rather nasty water in Albemarle Sound and Pamilico Sound. Then it is only two days up the Chesapeake back to our home waters. Wish us luck.

We are ready to be home.