March 2002

32-46.568N
079-57.155W

Docked, City Marina, Charleston, SC
March 24,2002

Among the many advantages of having son Alex aboard is his knowledge of fine modern music.  As a result, he and I saw Bela Fleck & The Flecktones Thursday night at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center.  Four virtuosos:  banjo, base guitar, woodwind, and electronic percussion.  First class, beyond description.
We continued our search for entertainment last night by seeing the community theater Footlight Player's production of Sweet Charity, another superb experience.
Earlier in the week, we enjoyed The South Carolina Acquarium, and the Charleston IMAX.

Alex arrived January 26; he leaves tomorrow, March 25.  Two wonderful months with many hours of sharing, examining the process of growing up. We wish him well in all future adventures.  Chichi will not be here to say goodbye.  She and I went to Bolivia last weekend to celebrate the wonderful life of Chichi's mother, who taught me the Tango, and gave me permission to marry her daughter. I returned last Wednesday, and Chichi returns Tuesday night following the novena, the traditional nine evenings of prayer and remembrance.

After a four-hour sail from Beaufort to Jenkins Creek (March 14), we anchored the night before an early departure to Charleston.  With barely five knots of wind, we motored under main, arriving about 4 p.m.  Shortly after grabbing a mooring line in front of The City Marina, we learned about Chichi's mother, and made plans to leave for Bolivia.  Alex watched the store while we were gone.
 

32-25.741 N
80-40.780 W

Anchored
Near Beaufort, South Carolina
March 12, 2002

Sally Field, Nick Nolte, Barbra Streisand, Tom Hanks, certainly many others, were short-term residents of Beaufort.  In company with their producers and directors, these artists encountered a quiet place for concentration and creativity.  The beautiful old homes and churches, the many photographers and painters, make this an attractive destination for a two- or three-day visit.

We enjoyed our three days in this quaint city, but we also began to recognize the business of histo-tourism, the conscious elevation of a locations's place in history.  For example, in both Beaufort and Savannah, we were told that the Marquis de Lafayette spent the night at a specific home, as though his mere presence anointed the place with historic significance, with the right to apply the word "historic."  We do not know why he came, what he did, or what he said.  We can only guess at the names of his hosts.  Was he a professional speaker motivating crowds to action?  Was he running for office, or promoting a cause?  The business of histo-tourism does not tell us.  Local pride appears to emanate entirely from a position on the national register of historic places, instead of on the raw accomplishments of the ordinary men and women who worked here.  The more we travel the east coast, the more we tire of the word "historic," and the more we yearn for hard knowledge.

We also say good bye to Savannah.  Thank you for your hospitality, and your friendship.

Thank you Palmer Johnson, Randy, JED, Dustin, John, and others, who made our stay pleasant, with Krispie Kreams, daily newspapers, and warm smiles.  Thank you, too, for you skills.  We are grateful for your competent and prompt installation of The Air Marine Wind Generator, and for the new polished stainless steel under the bow sprit.

Thank you Julie Ruthier and staff.  You gave John two new crowns, and repaired one broken tooth, while helping Chichi through a minor crisis, and doing a much needed routine check-up for Alex.  We appreciate your personal care and attention.

Thank you to dozens of cab drivers and bus drivers, especially the bus driver, Sunday afternoon, route 12, who used her personal cell phone to be sure that another bus did not leave before Chichi could make the transfer.

We left March 9 at 8 a.m., and motored the Atlantic Intra Coastal Waterway to Beaufort, an uneventful cruise up the Wilmington River, across the Savannah River, past Hilton Head, and on to Beaufort.

For more on Savannah, see the February log.