Adventures at Sea

GUNSHOTS AND LIGHTNING Yesterday as we were dining on board, enjoying Capt Dick/Chef Richard's special shrimp and vegetable stir fry, we heard gunshots. They were coming from a big old vessel anchored about 1,000 feet across the channel from us. A man was shooting a pistol into the water off the back of the boat. This activity continued on and off for more than an hour. Some of the local people staying on our dock didn't seem to be alarmed by this. They said he is a good guy who lives on his 1900's refurbished oyster boat. He works for Sea Tow and that boat was tied to his big old boat. One of his friends from our dock called him and asked if everything was alright. No one had ever witnessed this kind of behavior from him. They said he is a really nice, mild-mannered guy whose mother died two weeks ago. He told his friend he was really upset with yesterday being Mother's Day and all. Did I mention he also was very drunk? So around 8PM Dick called 911 and they sent two officers from the Georgia State Patrol. Just as they arrived at the marina the shooter sent off another round of gunfire into the water. His friend from our dock called him again and was talking to him when the officers approached and then they talked to him. All of the "talking to" seemed to calm him down. The officers decided everything was okay and they left. The shooter came by the marina today and apologized to the harbor master for his behavior and for scaring us. We definitely were frightened! As I write this post we are experiencing a very strong thunder and lightning storm. Lightning is striking all around us. Yesterday--guns; today--lightning! I think I'll shut down the computer for now. Whew, glad that's over! We just finished drying the floors from the rain that came in through one of the portholes that was left open. It was a very strong storm and the rain was blowing sideways. Glad we were tied up at the dock and not out at sea! Earlier today the weather was beautiful. It was a wonderful day for bicycling around Jekyll Island under the big live oak trees laden with moss and blooming magnolia trees scattered throughout. After riding along the beach and the marshes, we followed the paths past the Jekyll Island Club and the "cottages" where wealthy business tycoons came around the turn of the century to escape the cold northern winters. We plan to do more exploring and bicycle riding tomorrow and then have a farewell dinner with Peter and Terry at the Inn before we depart and go our separate ways on Wednesday morning. Dick and I are anxious about navigating the shallow waterways of Georgia as we head on up towards Hilton Head. We plan to travel as best we can with the tides and pay close attention to the charts in an effort not to run aground!