After several weeks of planning and packing the crew of Charis set off from 508 Mary Esther Blvd via the "pocket rocket" headed for Solomons MD and the landlocked Charis. The pre-departure was actually one of our better efforts and divorce was never very imminent. Naturally with only 180+ days to tour on the boat the Admiral had to hone her skills by driving through most of the Outer Banks to pick up the droppings from our previous half dozen passages through that area.By accident we wound up the second night at Camp LeJeune Onslow Beach campground nestled a few feet from where Charis transited the ICW last spring. Then on to Beaufort, NC a heretofore missed gem. It was well worth the stop with many neat old homes and tidy waterfront streets. Lunch at the "grocery" was a special treat and 2" deep the apple crumb pie to die for.
The Pocket Rocket landed up in the Solomons Tuesday, mid afternoon to what felt like a long anticipated homecoming. We were fortunate to get a great camp site at the Navy Recreation facility just across the highway from our boat. Like living in the middle of well groomed golf course.
A quick inspection of Charis this morning revealed her to be in pristine condition inside and out. shrink wrap rules!!!. Tomorrow we sand the bottom and apply the new bottom paint Friday and Saturday. Back in the water Tuesday the 6th for several days of reassembly and stowage and then possibly sneak off for a day or two shake down.
We plan to cool it here until after Memorial Day to let it warm up and just enjoy this lovely place that is really hard to beat, following that it is off to Canada. A few pictures of Joan's practice touring can be found on picasaweb.google.com/lropka
