9/4/15
Southport, NC
Posted by Bill

If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know that one of the coolest parts of a cruising lifestyle is the cruising/boating community. I have written about it several times and it continues to renew my faith in mankind. If you don’t follow the blog, here is the cliff notes version: People watch out for each other. It doesn’t matter how long you have known them. Everyone is willing to share, give, help and loan, just about anything that you might need, especially in an emergency. It is definitely a “pay it forward” community, and everyone knows what it is like to need help when you live like this.

The people here on D dock have been an amazing example of this, and we have taken advantage of the use of cars especially (since we don’t have one). Matt and Shirley have given us a standing offer to use a car any time we need it. Our friend Greg gave us carte blanche use of his truck that he leaves here (he is here mostly on the weekends only). Friends Mark and Jane have offered to give us one of their cars any time we are in need, and so have friends John and Mary Ann. I always hate asking, even though they have put the standing offers out there, but when we really need a car…we take it. Most recently, John and Mary Ann’s son Patrick left for college and they offered the use of his truck while he is away. Knowing that we would do anything to not have to ask for it, they brought it to the marina and gave us the keys. They (like our friend Greg) actually said we are doing them a favor because cars do better when they are used, which may be true, but I suspect that they highlight that to help us feel better about it. These are true acts of kindness that must be talked about, along with the countless other things, from sharing fish that were caught to giving up a spare part to help someone in need.

I also include “people taking you out for a ride on their boat” as one of those acts of kindness and friendship. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a fanatic about being on the water, and I rarely pass up a boat ride! Today our friend Rick took us out on his fishing boat. It was a beautiful day and we rode up the Cape Fear River, through Snows Cut, up in to the Masonborough area, and back.

Pulling out of Southport Marina:

Cape Fear River:

It only took a couple of hours or so to make the trip in his boat…a trip that would take us all day in ours! A fun thing to do on a hot day.

Many thanks to our D dock neighbors, and all the others who have helped us along the way!

There is another side of all of this that makes the kindness of the cruising/boating community work. Most people we know strive to be self sufficient. They would never expect to freeload or take advantage of each other. There are exceptions like everything else…but the exceptions are rare. I believe that it provides a base level of trust where people can feel open and free to give. Not so in our society at large today. If everyone starts with a “pay it forward” mentality, and an act of kindness, perhaps we can transform society at large. Let’s all start today!!