We were surprised to find that although we were on the Atlantic Ocean, the water temperature is a very pleasant 86 degrees in South Carolina affording us the perfect opportunity for night time walks on the beach. A full moon illuminated the breaking surf that crashed around us in unpredictable rhythm while the water lapped around our ankles (and sometimes our knees) then receded under our feet as we walked. Distant hotels on either side of us held a brief fireworks display each night providing bursts of colorful light that reflected on the wet sand. Serene...perfect!
At some point as we planned our trip, Reed got the wild idea that I would enjoy a three hour sunset cruise...on the open ocean...in a sail boat. Of course he claimed that it was all for me. Note to Reed: I get sea sick on cruise ships in the Caribbean...tell me again who this sail boat cruise is for!? Reed found a nephew/uncle who own a 44 ft sail boat. Off we went for another excellent albeit unique adventure.
We embarked the vessel at a beautiful marina bordering North and South Carolina. Acres of dense green grass grow along the shallow edges of the inlet. I was very content sitting on top of the boat watching the lush Carolina scenery drift by as we made our way through the five mile inlet under the power of a trusty motor. Reed stayed busy taking pictures of anything and everything he could find. As we entered the channel, the crew invited Reed to hoist the main sail...ahhhh, yes...his dream shot! I hastily climbed down from the top and made myself comfortable as possible at the back of the boat. After receiving brief instruction from the crew, Reed raised the sail and the captain shut off the motor. The only sound was the waves...it was literally just us and the ocean. Absolutely spectacular in a terrifying kind of way.
The sails filled with wind and the craft immediately listed to the left. Swells in the channel were six to eight feet high so when the boat pitched up and crashed down at the bow; being 44 feet aft I actually looked DOWN at the front of the boat for a brief instant. I'll take this opportunity to remind you that because of the sails - we were also tilting significantly to the left side! Once through the channel the waters calmed considerably and we took up an Easterly course with nothing but the horizon in front of us. At this point, the crew invited Reed to try his hand at sailing. He piloted the boat for 12 - 15 minutes then let Matt (we shared our cruise with another couple) have a turn. Reed went back to his camera and walked around the boat like he owned the place looking for an angle for the next perfect photo. I was happy to tell him more than once, if his camera goes into the ocean...he's going in after it!
Eventually, the crew reversed the sail and turned the boat 180 degrees to head back to the marina. I was still occupying my personal spot at the back of the boat (area that moved the least) and Reed found a comfortable seat at the front on the right side (having reversed course we were now listing to the right) where he could hang his feet in the water. Yeah, he booked this cruise just for me...right!
As the sun set, hues of orange, pink, and red filled the Western sky in front of us. The water became very smooth and our return trip through the channel was nothing like the white knuckle affair we experienced just 90 minutes earlier. At the appropriate time the sails were dropped and the trusty motor was again engaged to ensure our return trip through the inlet. The final vestiges of light gave way to a full moon and the first stars. Reed and I sat quietly together as we approached the marina. What an incredible experience we had. I never got sick. Perhaps it was the half a Dramamine tablet I took before we sailed or perhaps it was Reed's promise to not kiss me for a week if I threw up...maybe a little bit of both. The one thing I know for sure is that we tried something very different and it was a remarkable and awesome experience!
As I mentioned above, we shared our cruise with a couple from North Carolina who, as it turns out, booked the cruise so that Matt could propose to his prospective fiance, Julie. It was fun being a part of their special occasion. We exchanged email addresses so we could swap pictures taken during the cruise. Jason and his uncle Tex (our brave and competent crew) asked Reed to send them some of the pictures he took so they can post them on their Web Site. Reed has informed me that as soon as his pictures go up, he will be a published photographer...another dream shot!
On Wednesday, Reed spent the morning on a dolphin watching trip while I attended my conference. He got to watch four dolphins on the open ocean in their natural habitat. According to Reed, the dolphins kept to themselves and didn't seem to acknowledge the presence of the boat. Just after 1:00 pm my conference ended for the day so we drove South to Brookgreen Gardens; a state park that has beautiful landscaping, sculptures from early to mid 19th century artists, and a small zoo featuring animals found in the Carolina low country (swamps) as well as the higher elevations. We had a delightful time walking among the ancient oak trees and taking pictures of unique animals. We even took in part of an live outdoor concert that featured Broadway music.
My conference ended on Thursday and we drove down to Charleston for our flight home. Back to reality...darn it!
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