Chapter 75: Carrie Makes Me Feel Welcome

Chapter 75: Carrie Makes Me Feel Welcome

The sun peeking over the horizon woke me. I rolled over and, yup, there he was. My morning woodie, ready to be serviced. He jolted up like a spring, tenting the sheet, demanding a date with Ms. Michigan. (Inside joke. The map of the state of Michigan looks like a hand, hence the nickname ‘the Mitten State.’ Your hand becomes Ms. Michigan. I have ‘dates’ with her daily.)

After leaving a hefty wet spot to dry on its own, I made coffee and assessed my situation. I was now 35 miles offshore. Easily a 5-hour passage for my Love Boat. I set sail for land, on a broad reach diagonal to the shore. There was a major city along the coast and I headed that way.

Late in the day I got to within a few miles of the inlet to civilization. As it was dusk, I decided to drop hook and navigate an unfamiliar harbor in the morning. I found a 10-foot-deep area about 150 yards offshore. Once secure to the bottom, I enjoyed my dram in the cockpit.

The inlet was actually a major river emptying into the open water. It was a busy port with lots of freighters going in and out. I had spied a suitable marina for me but it was several miles down the river. In the morning as I was dodging freighters and lots of smaller pleasure craft, I made my way to the marina.

Except for the dockmaster, the entire staff at the marina was college kids, both guys and girls. It was a delight to see so many young, tight bodies, scantily dressed, skittering about the docks. As I pulled up to the fuel dock to register, two hot bunnies and one fit stud grabbed my lines and secured me to the dock.

In the office there were another 3 hotties and 2 more studs. They were all affable, joking around. I got checked in and a map of the marina. Two of the girls said they would meet me at my slip to help me tie off.

Once the girls had me secure at my slip, I invited them aboard for a cold beer – a routine ‘tip’ on top of the cash. They readily accepted. They were both hot as fire, wearing tiny little short-shorts and the marina official polo shirts. True eye candy after being at sea for several days. As we sipped a cold one in the cockpit, I asked them where the action was nearby.

“Just about everywhere,” they said in unison. “Within 5 blocks, any direction, you’ll find a dozen bars, restaurants, night clubs. Or there’s always the Captain’s lounge right here at the marina. The staff has kinda taken it over, turned it into a happenin’ place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Beer, wine, shooters. It’s fun. The boaters love it and management loves the income and activity.”

Almost every marina has some sort of Captain’s lounge. It’s a public area where the liveaboards and those just passing through can reconnect with the grid. Do laundry, shower, reprovision, watch TV, read books, and play games; some are more elaborate then others. This one sounded top notch.

I thanked the cuties and gave them each a C-note to show my appreciation. They each gave me a kiss on the cheek as their thank you.

I found my way to the shower first thing. I was pretty ripe even though I bathe off the stern of the boat every other day when on a passage.