Published this over 10 years ago. Took it out of print because I was tired of people telling me my memories were incorrect. Most of the beginning of the book was from writings I did while in the penitentiary at 20 years old. I think my memories were clearer at 20 then the memories of people in their fifties and sixties reading this 10 years ago
The other parts were written, taken directly from my journals and letters and other peoples journals and letters. Those who read it and commented to me about it, picked out some things they thought may be or were hurtful to them and others. I got rid of most of those writings. I also added 10 more years of living into the book and republished it.
Another great road trip to North Carolina. Kathy already there for a week before I headed down to pick her up. I was to stay a week also but the weather took a turn for the worse and we came back a couple days early.
It was very foggy when I left Salisbury, Md. to head south. The fog did not dissipate until well after Edenton. I missed the windmill farm, but Kathy got a photo of it.
One of my favorite stops is at the Dismal Swamp. About 1/2 way there.
Arrived at Indian Beach, N.C. and we took a walk. Shrimp boat.
The seagulls here are unlike the ones in Maryland that will hover over you waiting for food.
A Royal Tern
The next day John came down to take us out on their boat. That was very nice of him. With all this Covid stuff going on, we hardly see each other.
Heading under the Atlantic Bridge Causeway.
Easing past Sugarloaf Island, headed towards the N.C. Port. Docked there for the time being is the USS 50 (LSD-50), Carter Hall. Landing Ship Dock.
Here she is a little while later pulling out of port.
Not far from her is this interesting vessel – Go Ms Tree. Formerly named Mr. Steven. GO Ms. Tree – often shortened to Ms. Tree – is a fast, highly maneuverable vessel that was chartered by SpaceX in 2017 to support their fairing recovery program. The ship has been heavily modified by SpaceX so that it now has a large net structure designed to catch fairing halves as they descend. The name ‘Ms. Tree’ is a pun of the word ‘Mystery’. (from SpaceX website)
Pass this area of the port and ran smack dab into a fog bank.
Made it through there and we all, except John, got off onto Shackleford Banks.
Nice driftwood.
My shot of Kathy and Gail, from up on a dune.
Kathy stepped on a couple Hermit Crabs.
Left Shackleford and headed over to Beaufort. You need to swing around Rachel Carson Island. Shrimp boats everywhere.
Sea Tow is like AAA of the water.
The CaryAli. Wow! A steel and aluminum ship. Built by Alloy Yachts in 2013. For just $25m she can be yours.
Looking through the Watercraft Center at a ship painted on a wall…
Went up Taylor Creek for a bit, looking at all the boats and quaint little houses. Turned around and headed to Pivers Island Road.
We made it under the bridge but then the water started getting shallow so we headed back to the Beaufort Channel and then towards Bogue Sound. Passing NOAA on the way. There are a lot of colleges and government research centers down here.
I guess it makes a good kayak launch?
After John and Gail left, to go back home, Kathy and I went over to Swansboro to find a nice place to watch the sunset. Saturday night and the town was packed! So we left and the sun was heading west fast, so I pulled over at Dudley’s Marina on Rte. 24 and Kathy took a photo of me taking a photo of the pelican sunset.
The ‘New Norm’ I hope not for too much longer. The next day we went back to Swansboro to look around
Domestic Muscovy Duck.
Another shrimp boat. Shrimp burgers from the food truck were huge, along with their oyster burgers and soft crab sandwiches.
Love the water – when it isn’t freezing. Or knocking me on my butt!
Our next adventure was to Cape Lookout Lighthouse, via a tour boat, where everyone was practicing social distancing, for the most part.
We cut over to the beach, hoping to find some 1/2 way decent shells. No luck.
Even some of the better shells were being fought over. This guy wasn’t giving up his shell find.
We leave the ocean side of the isle and head over to Wreck Point. Trudging through the dunes and marsh.
Balancing the Light.
Heading back towards the lighthouse.
Checking out under the dock…
Boardwalk to the lighthouse area.
This guy was going close to shore and other boats blasting his horn and making all kinds of noises.
On the way back, on Shackleford Island. Scratching an itch with his food.
Another day, another adventure. Off to the side of the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium is a nice little hiking trail. About 1.2 miles.
We thought this coloration was the tree itself (Holly)
But it is lichen. Nice info signs along the trail.
One side of the trail is a marsh. The other side is the Bogue Sound.
Sign in front says End of Trail. Sign behind it says Last Marsh Overlook Ahead?
Whoa! Who the heck gets up at 4:30am to go fishing!? Apparently I do now! But before I tell you about this great day of fishing, let me give you a little back story…
The last time I ate fish was April 20, 1993. That was the day my daughter Jules was born. Best day of my life and I thought it was going to be my last. Hungry and tired after a long day, with both her mother and Jules resting, I went to the cafeteria and ordered fish. I never eat fish in hospital cafeterias, but I did that night. After a few bites I started choking on a bone, got up and ran to the nurses station and struggling to say, “Fish! Bone! Choking!” Well, she got the gist of it, reached over to a used dinner tray on a cart and handed me a piece of someone’s dinner roll and said, “Here, eat this!” And I did and the bone slid down my throat. I swore off eating fish that night and haven’t had any since, until a couple weeks ago. A friend of Kathy’s had some trigger fish and her and Kathy’s family persuaded me to try some. Did so and I really enjoyed it. So now I am headed to be the great fisherman of the Eastern Shore!! Ha!!
Back to the story at hand – Up early and headed to Deal Island, Wenona for a fishing excursion. Started in the dark.
Our Boat The Lady Katy
The moon setting and the sun coming up over Fairmount.
1st cast of the day (Kathy photo)
I forget who tried to catch this huge skate – Gail? Well, he took everything when he was cut loose.
Gail did good, catching quite a few trout. but Kathy out did us all with her 19-1/2″ Rockfish.
Kathy, a rock and a Captain
I didn’t do too bad. The Captain kept coming over to give me some pointers (Damn City people!) He told me, “You’re doing pretty good – almost.” WTH! No, actually the Captain was very helpful. He kept re-baiting our lines and then removing the fish for us. Half the time he would unhook the fish and throw it back over the side. “Hey, I wanted him…” He was trying to make sure we had good sized fish for our limit.
Me and my trout
After a few hours out there, somewhere between Crisfield and Smith Island, it was time to head back.
Our catch for the day: 1 rock fish, a few Trout and 3 Spots. We caught a bunch of Spots and most of those were used for bait. Also caught a couple Oyster Toad fish and Croakers, which do make a croaking noise.
Time for cleaning.
Kathy’s mom asked what I was doing? I was supervising!
It was a nice day and with Kathy’s sister Gail visiting from N.C. we thought it would be nice to take her kayaking and for us to try out one of the new inflatable kayaks we bought. We bought 2 for when our kids or others visit.
Off we go. Kathy used the K1 Inflatable. With the skeg attached, Kathy had some trouble paddling in a straight line. She seemed to have to paddle twice as hard as we did.
Heading past Little Egging Island.
On the other side of that island was a bunch of people. Gail checking them out and doing a great job for her first time kayaking.
Here are their kayaks.
Maybe crabbing or clamming.
Now we head across the open water to Great Egging Island. Gail trying her hand at paddling in reverse.
This horseshoe crab looks to have been here for a while – barnacles growing on it.
Dead trees on the island…
And in the water. Some of these look like old pilings. If you look close at this one, you can see the high rises in Ocean City under the Assateague Island Bridge.
Octopus root.
Uh-oh?! What happened to Gail? Pee call??
Nope! Looking for drift wood!
Tried to take a photo of the tuning fork tree but was photo-bombed!
Some sisterly bonding on the high seas!
Drift wood and drift metal.
No clue why this pipe is here.
Bird 1.
Bird 2.
Heading back. It got a little crowded while we were away. Some Boy Scouts and others crabbing.
Here is our map. Under 3 miles but a good trip. Kathy thinks the inflatable kayak should only be used on still waters and not on open waters, which will be fine. There are a lot of rivers and streams around.
Here lately i have been so busy working on multiple houses, I lose track of time, to work on my blogs. Here are some random photos from over the last month or so.
At Kathy’s parents house, a bunch of turkeys were in the field.
I decided to go over to the deer blind (sniper tower), to see if I could get a better view. This guy was watching me.
Stopped at Terrapin Park one weekend. Spotted this guy along the path to the Bay.
On shore were some guys and dolls.
Molly not too happy about going swimming with me. Kathy asked if I have ever swam in the Chesapeake Bay before? I don’t think I have?
Went to Merriweather to see David Byrne. On stage, the opening act.
Walked around a bit. It has been about 32 years since I was last here. Saw Robert Palmer – Addicted to Love tour. Place looks different. Various sculptures around.
From a distance, I thought this was a statue of a football player.
Sun going down and time to head to our seats.
These next photos Kathy took of the band. I gave up long ago with my camera. I couldn’t get focused.
Another shot. Another song.
And the house that will soon be our home, thanks to the Culver’s.
Headed to Crisfield for dinner on Saturday night, to celebrate John and Gail’s anniversary. Always a good time with Kathy’s family. First stop was the dock or maybe it is just a fishing pier?
Memorial Day weekend and the flags are flying.
Looking across Daugherty Creek towards Tangier Sound and the Chesapeake Bay.
Kathy enjoying the peace and solitude. Stars overhead.
A moral compass or a navigational one? Needs directions.
Is that someone’s house all the way out there?
Dinner time. The soft shell crab sandwich was excellent! The sauteed soft shell crabs, not so much. But overall a very nice restaurant. Glad to have been invited to what was traditionally a father-daughters eatery! Thanks Merrill.
The family.
Random shot of a water tower – because this post is about water and me!
Got home in time for the deluge. Molly says to go ahead and she will catch up!
Today, my daughter Julianne (Jules) turns 25. A quarter of a century has flown by. She shares her birthday with her grandmother, my mom, who passed away a few years back. Here are some favorite pics:
Here I am trying to teach Jules to give the finger and say “F-it”! I am such a good dad!
Jules and her best friend Lauren and their first day of kindergarten.
A self portrait that Julie drew.
A hike we took at Havre de Grace. Always a favorite photo.
Julie in Paris.
Hawaii
And most recently Colorado with Lauren. They were on hiatus from each other for a while, but now back to hanging out together. Kid sure has done a lot!!
And let’s not forget my mom. This would be Easter and I believe we were at Druid Park? My sister Betty, me and brother Bob.
My mom always wanted to take a cruise so I took her to Bermuda. It was a wonderful time.
A cake for Julianne and a birthday wish for my mom. Happy Birthday!!
Water and Me 