MV SERENDIPTY Larry and Erin

Charleston, SC October 23 thru Nov 1, 2019 Moored at The Harborage at Ashley Marina

This was our first extended down-time. Because of the hospitality of another classmate, Joe Nuttall we were able to get a very excellent slip at the marina and just one slip away from his yacht. It was the catalyst to a splendid and fun filled week for Erin, Abby and I. While in Charleston we did many things but the first purpose was to be her by boat for the Homecoming Weekend at The Citadel, Larry’s Alma Mater. Each of the last 6 years the men from “R” Company, Larry’s Company from the Class of 1968, get together and bond once again. With the reunion dinner at a classmate’s home in Mount Pleasant SC, A great Tailgate and a win at the Football game against Mercer University the weekend was all a great success the first three days were all about that. The next two days were visiting with Sister Christina who still lives there, visiting tourist sites and taking a Carriage Ride.

Larry’s former Employer, Continental Terminals, Inc. opened a Coffee Warehouse in North Charleston to support the new coffee Roaster that Starbucks had built just north of Charleston. Larry had the opportunity to identify, to his company a gentleman that was perfect to be the new General Manager. Mickey Baldwin a native of Charleston and already a well known personality in the Port of South Carolina was perfect for the role. Mickey’s success and excellent management of the facility allowed the company to grow and firmly establish itself in the Port of South Carolina as the leading coffee warehouse in the area.

Larry made a side visit to a true Coffee Trading office in the heart of Charleston called Balzac Brothers Coffee trading Co. where he met the management of the firm who had become a premium customer of the Continental Terminals Coffee warehouse that Mickey ran. Further Mickey treated Erin and I to dinner at a new restaurant on John’s Island called Royal Tern. The food was super delicious and I have never has a grilled flounder so perfectly cooked.

A casual cookout at the Charleston yacht Club with Joe Nuttall and friend Tracey gave a prestigious lift to the image of our yachting experience. Joe seems to know everyone in town and he was quick to introduce us to prominent figures and his long term friends. It was fun sitting on the yacht club deck and admiring the boats on the waterfront at all three of the marinas that are clustered between the two bridges on the Ashley River. It is amazing how a simple meal of Hot Dogs and Hamburgers can enhance the bond between old friends and get to know new ones. We enjoyed our time with them and really look forward to getting to know Tracey better as time goes along.

A really good South Carolina Low country BBQ dinner with Sister Christina and her husband Johnny at Dukes BBQ on James Island gave us time to get caught-up on the lives we lead and the goings-on with our kids. Christina makes crafts that she sells at seasonal craft shows. She had brought a few of these with her and made gifts of them to us. Highlighting the gifts was a crotched comforter which she blended colors to match the color scheme on the boat as well as made a smaller one for Abby of the same color. We loved the gifts and trust me, Abby took right to it on her bed as it was going to be cooler the next few days after we depart.

Our departure day finally came and so did a swift incoming current and NE winds. Quite a challenge faced us to get out of the tight marina in which we were moored. Complicating the situation were two mullion dollar plus yachts that were in moored directly across from us and where we had to transit. Larry delayed the departure by three hours in hopes the current would slack as it reached high tide. Also the wind was supposed to shift that morning and lessen in intensity. Nonetheless it was going to be a tight squeeze, a very tight squeeze. When we finally departed we had an audience that included the hired Captain of the million dollar yachts and others. Larry sounded the “change of status” signal on the ships horn to alert nearby vessels and owners. Then in a masterful series of moves and use of the engines and bow thruster Larry maneuvered Serendipity around the tight corner and down the narrow yacht-lined channel to the open Ashley River. Erin who was on the stern giving Larry advice on clearances as the stern passed the closest yacht told Larry later, “the hired yacht captain of the million dollar yacht applauded” as Serendipity cleared the tight spot. Ask Larry about it sometime.

Here are some pics