0600 The wind blew all night and I expected rain but nada. The fresh air, steady breeze and a beautiful sun rise greeted me and Chase as we walked up the boat ramp for his morning doooo’s. Several other boaters were also up and we discussed yesterday’s events and today’s trip goals. You came all this way in that lake boat? Yes and they advised me what to look forward too!
I topped of my tanks with Non Ethanol gas and they gave me the uptown price for the gas. Pulling away from the gas dock was a learning experience because the current had me stuck to the dock. I had to back up and turn the stern on the boat into the current in order to pull away.
Once away, I headed for Duddley’s Marina Atlantic Barrier Islands
I arrived at Duddley’s at 1330 hrs and because of the old style marina, mooring polls and no floating docks plus the wind pushing me from East to West, I moved on up the ICW to the East Bank Marina. The marina was also old style but I put into a slip anyway for I needed to get fuel.
Well, no one came out to assist me in docking like the other marinas and when I jumped out of the boat, onto a 3 foot wide mooring deck the wind gave me a sharp pull and I went ass end over tea kettles into the drink! Wow, what a shock to be in warm water knee deep in the muck! As I held onto the boat, I reached down and pulled off my Crocks that were stuck in the muck. Then I tried getting back on the boat but couldn’t because the muck wouldn’t release me. Finally one of the dock hands come over to me and assisted me out of the water. I was literally stuck in the muck!
After introducing myself Trace and several outer on lookers, we all sat down for a well need beer. I reviewed my mission and received several pledges. At about 1700, Trace advised me that the marina manager wanted to speak with me. Chris advised me that he had to charge me slip fees at $2.00 a foot or $52 plus tax. Now this is an old slip with absolutely no amenities, like shower, fuel, provisions internet and we had to go up town to get fuel, ice and some food stuff.
Well, I took back my registration and said no way, bye-bye and shoved off. Trace helped me untie the lines and told me of a deserted brand new marina only five miles up the ICW on the left. Sure enough it was there and I mean a 1st class marina with floating docks and totally empty. I pulled in and tied up and was making a little dinner when two fishing boats pulled in and they told me that this place was under federal investigation and the ex governor was involved. Oh well a free 1st class slip is better than a hole in the boat!
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