Jan.6

The forecast had called for a cold front to come through with winds up to 17 miles an hour from the Southwest. That would be a headwind. My left hand had accumulated 6 blisters that started to bother me coming across the Port Royal Sound. I was tired. I had calls to make and email to answer. I had a house and good company. This added up to rationalizing a day off. So we slept until 7:30, had our coffee and then drove to the Squat and Gobble to eat a good breakfast. 

After breakfast we went to visit the office of Habitat and met with Pat Wirth after walking over to visit two houses under construction. I found that the houses being built were more spacious and nicer than some we saw in Florida but made of wood frames instead of concrete blocks. I noticed that three of the large pines next to one of homes under construction were dead and their tops looked like they might fall with the first heavy wind.  Their roots had been buried and they would soon have to come down as they were rotting quickly.  A nice long conversation with Pat Wirth confirmed what I feel about this organization that is so spirited and well managed.  We were introduced to several others in their office including Don Smith, a kindly gentleman who served as the chairman of the Board of Directors.  We were given hats and T-shirts and said our good byes.  Don Smith called me later to offer to loan us his copy of the Cruising Guide to SC and GA.  Before going to dinner we drove to his lovely home, met his wife and picked up his autographed copy.

It had been a busy day off the water. The wind had blown but the forecast for tomorrow  is for calm winds. I am rested and ready for the row to Daufuskie Island.

To see a copy of the article about us which was in the Carolina Morning News go to:

http://www.lowcountrynow.com/stories/010605/LOCpaddling.shtml