Friday, May 29, 2020.   I used to associate Thoreau’s quote with time spent aboard our old Cargile Cutter Cruiser, “SunSmiles.”  And then, along came grandchildren.  Know what I mean?

Today, “SunSmiles” is history, the little Mainship 34T, “Slow Dance” has replaced “her,” and our grandchildren have reached the  age where Nana and Poppa are not their #1 priority — which means that the “channel in which our life flows” is evolving back to time split between grandchildren and cruising.  Now, it appears COVID-19 restrictions may dictate our summer 2020 destinations and schedule.  BUT, at least we have wonderful memories of summers past, and making plans for the future.

Have you planned your summer cruising or vacation schedule?  I’d love for you to share your favorite cruising destinations, marinas, restaurants, attractions, festivals and events, with me.

Here is a collage of pics from some of our travels.  Recognize any of them?

Where will your life be flowing this weekend?  This summer?

“Pretty maids all in a row” as we idle past the face dock and head to Hampton.

What better day than Saturday to remember the incredible “fresh off the boat” fried shrimp dinner at T.W. Graham’s in the little fishing village of McClellanville, SC., on the ICW north of historic Charleston.

When we leave the South Mills Lock, we’ll be in the Dismal Swamp Canal. In the left of the picture you see the dreaded Duck Weed floating on the surface of the water. While we saw Duck Weed thru parts of the canal, when I checked the Slow Dance’s raw water strainers at the Welcome Center, very little of the Duck Weed was ingested into the raw water system.

“Conch Man,” the lockmaster loves conchs — and can actually play them! He was a pleasure to meet, as professional as he was personable.

There are those times the “Admiral” enjoys sitting out on the bow and enjoying the solitude and scenery.

When the bridge opens, we’ll pass thru, and on to the lock, meet “Conch Man,” hear a tune, and then pass on thru the lock and end our cruise of the Dismal Swamp Canal.

Calm at sunrise

Big Tuna’s tuna with house salad

“Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows.”