Beaufort SC was one of my favorite stops on the ICW trip in 1979. I remember the three days spent there as clearly as if it was yesterday. There was a strong current and Bob lost control of the boat briefly, coming close to slamming into someone else's boat at the dock. After we tied up and looked over the town, we bought shrimp from a commercial fisherman who was docked next to us. Until that day I had never known that shrimp were irridescent. These were so fresh, they still had their natural colors...mostly green, violet and purple. The locals were curious, talkative and full of information. We learned about the history of the area, the economy, we were even given recipes for the shrimp. The Marine boot camp, Parris Island, is just down the road. When you travel by boat you can go thirty miles and it feels like a long, long trip. Then you see how quickly these little towns are reached by car...it's hard to explain...it takes some of the magic away. In any case, I held my breath as I turned off the street and into the marina parking lot. Would it be there? Would it be changed? Happily, it's just the same! I spent a few hours at the dock, enjoying the view and the boats and then went back to Rte. 17 and figured I would be in Savannah in about an hour. All of a sudden I found myself on I-95. 17 merges into it for a few miles now...I never knew that. I went the posted speed of 70 and just like that (snap), I had had enough of nostalgia. I blew past the exit to Savannah and pulled off the interstate for the night with a new plan. Enough of looking back. I'm ready for the future and the cities and towns I've never seen between Florida and California! Sorry, Savannah, lovely lady that you are...I'll have to put off finding out who it is who dyes the Savannah River green every St. Patrick's Day and how long that takes and what it costs. I'm impatient for new horizons. It's pouring and the raindrops make a comforting sound on the van. I'll sleep well tonight.
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