Uncertainty

Sitting aboard yesterday looking at the weather map we were discussing what to do and how to do it.  That is where our motto comes in.  We are not compelled to do anything in particular right now and so we decided to celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary a bit early.  It  is on the 6th of September but the storms in the Atlantic might jeopardize a peaceful dinner at that time, so we hatched a plan for the weekend; rent a car and head back to Savannah to see more of the city.  We only spent a few hours here during our first visit.  That is what we did.
Sitting here early morning in the hotel watching the Bear make Bear sounds (not what you think), I am trying to work out a plan by which we see the city in detail without jolting her back on some springless trolley.  We did that in St, Augustine. Last evening she said that it would be good to have no schedule and be able to sleep late on Saturday.  I pointed out that is exactly what she has been doing for several months.  "Good point" says she.

The drive from Charleston to Savannah is a pleasant one of about 90 minutes through some of the finest scenery South Carolina's Low Country has to offer.  Of course there is an adequate supply of knuckleheads to make it interesting.  Savannah has a very active commercial maritime port right down town.  So, at 0400 this morning a freighter gives the required "long" blast on ship's horn and pulls out.  Thing is that said blast is 4 to 6 seconds long and of a volume to melt fillings in camel's teeth in Iraq.  We are on the sixth floor facing the water and that puts us at about the same level as the ship's horn.  It has been a long time since either of us have wet out pants but we came as close as ever when it went off.  I was about to get under the bed when it occurred to me that Gabriel had not been present at the horn blowing.  It was back to sleep with an ear tuned to the port.  No other ships left last night.

During the drive down, we made a decision regarding the cruise.  We will continue after some things happen.  First, we feel boxed by the Atlantic Hurricane season to stay put for at least a couple of weeks.  We know.  We know!  That is one more week than mentioned in our last post but we are not finished.  Given the success of Bear's surgery and the deteriorating situation with the other crew member's neck, we are investigating the possibility of heading back to Tampa to get it fixed.  Been putting up with it forever but mostly the last two years.   That way, we can serve out our required down time somewhat together.  Of course Bear will have had a few weeks head start.  As is the case, the longer such a situation is ignored, the worse it gets.  I hoped to put this off until the spring but why waste spring?  We are late getting to the Chesapeake anyway this year.  That being the case, we think the best thing to do is cool it in Charleston, maybe run for city council or dawg catcher or perhaps pick up a paper route then head out as overhauled scruvydawgs in early winter toward the warmer climes. In early spring head north with the idea of getting as far north as possible before next windter.   In the meantime, twix the storms and the laser, we will get to know the Low Country.  Certainly, we feel it to be a really cool place.

A plug for Savannah-  if you have never been here, put this place on your bucket list too.  This place oozes southern hospitality and grace.  It is unbelievable how friendly folks are here.  They come close to Texans.  Will post more later since the Bear is out of hibernation and ready to hit the streets, so to speak.  Pictures later.