Recipe for a Perfect Cruise
by P/C Elaine Price, SN
Take several LMPS Squadron members and boats, stir in great
weather and good food, and add the mixture to a beautiful coastal location with
great restaurants and marinas with staff who go out of their way to make you
welcome and comfortable. Then spread it over a long five-day, four-night
weekend, and you get a relaxing and most enjoyable cruise! The
Southport-Wilmington Cruise enjoyed by 20 adults, three children and three
canines, was made by just that recipe.
Nine of the 10 boats were towed from the Midlands to Southport. When the trailer
boaters arrived, they were met at the ramp by Lewis Mitchell, P, and his
faithful companion, Ninja, an adorable rescue that looks like a small black lab
with really short legs. The Mitchells, who are now Associate Members of LMPS,
had cruised into Southport from their Holden Beach home to join us for the long
weekend.
Plenty of time was allowed for participants to do as they pleased. From
Southport, some made the short run over to Bald Head Island and rented golf
carts to tour the island. Others took their boats out to a nearby beach and
anchored out. Still others stayed ashore and toured the town by bicycle or on
foot. We had a Friday night group cookout under the shade trees in Southport,
and went in groups to area restaurants on other nights.
In Wilmington, most everyone found their way to the hotel pool Saturday
afternoon. Just across the river from the city docks, the battleship USS North
Carolina was celebrating its 50th year in Wilmington with a beach music
festival. While sitting under the stars Saturday night, we were treated to the
sounds of The Band of Oz and The Embers, among others. We just couldn’t help
shagging a bit!
Click on the thumbnails below to open a full-sized slideshow of
what you missed!
