Jim Brown (World acclaimed Multi-Hull designer, novelist & boat builder) www.outrig.org Jims website for books/journal/events/classes along with Andy Zimmerman, (water sport aficionado, founder of Heritage Kayaks, now big dog consultant), spent a memorable weekend with us on 'Myor'. After a seven hour drive south pulling a trailer colorfully stacked with a Jim Brown 17' Windrider sailboat, & two beautifully designed kayaks from Andy's. Interesting side note...sensing they were close, we glanced from our back deck just in time to see their impressive rig crossing St. Augustine's historic Bridge of Lions. Needless to say they arrived in St.Augustine a bit parched quickly quenched with quality cocktails & amazing smoked Salmon which magically appeared out of their provision bag. Such an unexpected treat! We enjoyed the sunset and silhouettes of enchanting St. Augustine's Spanish architecture while dining on local Sheepshead fish tacos, (FYI-Mark speared). After an evening of sharing stories, updating lives & events, we hit the rack, jaws tired of smiling and laughing.
Andy slept in his nifty rig, woke early and curious to see a few St. Augustine's sights before his coffee. He hit his Simple bike to the road & narrow historic brick streets. He arrived back on the boat impressed with the variety of sights along his journey. World Tai-Chi tournament, held at the lighthouse park, Kids Surfing & sandcastle competitions being held at the Anastasia State park beach. He was amazed with the pristine beach on St. Augustine "one of THE BEST Florida beach I've ever experienced, he wanted to ride his bike back at low tide to ride out to the inlet. We took a wonderful dingy ride up the San Sebastian River to take Jim to West Marine to pick up a few parts, looking for wildlife interestingly noting the lack of Pelicans normally abundant. We arrived back on Myor, Andy constructing yummy turkey sandwiches with textural horseradish garnished with lettuce with perfect pickles, We munched while watching dolphins along Myor's side, heading out to the inlet. Mid afternoon cocktails? Andy brought a killer commercial fruit press juicer, salty dogs and margaritas. We are green with envy with this amazing contraption, we will wait for our lottery tickets to pay off!
Scott Watts repair/delivery/building website & his wife Karen (despite their 7th year anniversary) invited us to their home for a cookout and absorb some quality time with Jim. Great kids, Isabell (4yrs) Nathan (7yrs) and collection of critters (goat was my favorite) made for a delightful evening.
What could top such a glorious day? A trip down memory lane, the local retro Dairy Queen, (extra hot fudge). Jim shared stories about cruising with his children and their transition back to 'society', replacing colorful native speaking characters, & experiencing the sea living dream to now trying to bond and fit in with with local country kids who's delight was to "cruise the main street TASTY FREEZE in rural Virginia. We drove home singing lyrics to Beverly Hillbillies..incorporating our own words " loaded up the truck and moved to Cedar Key"
Evening stories again, too much laughter (is there such a thing?) almost to the point of tinkling in our cotton organic undies! Upon learning my love & appreciation of cultural textiles, Jim shared an amazing story on how he and his wife Joanna creatively shipped back a collection of over 600 pounds of village textiles from Guatemala, back in the 1970's. A small world as Andy later had a cookout at his home in Greensboro inviting neighbors, noticing one of Jim's books, thus he turned out to be the historic shipping connection as he imported veneer from Guatemala. I hope to see Jim & Joanna's entire textile collection someday!
Mark still checking his fishing rod, in hope of a catch. no such luck
Our Sunday morning traditional breakfast was served, biscuits, gravy, potatoes, eggs to order, melon and coffee from Guatemala. Mark quietly focused on cooking, his "wing gal" ME...by his side, Jim smiling impressed with cloth napkins! Andy on a health kick, yet he didn't decline just a "bit more" gravy on his potatoes.
Sunday was a work day, pulled Mark up the mast, just hung out, dove off Myor and swam with the current. No day went without a nap, Jim in his bunk and Andy in the salon corner. Mark & I on the deck again awaiting the "catch" while our neighbors are blaring favorites from the late 70's, I secretly wish they would turn it a bit down not to wake the sleeping beauties.
Bacon Lettuce & garden Tomato sandwiches for their departing breakfast, "did you see that whale?" was not an effective distracting line, thus I was not able to sneak a piece of the perfectly grilled apple wood smoked bacon! We sent them off to Cedar Key, the 27th annual gathering of small boat die-hards sailors. They were going to sneak in a paddle on the Swanee River.
Thank you Jim & Andy for such a great visit, we are looking forward to getting together again soon, on our way north. Jim is instructing a boat building course in Brooklin Maine at the WOODEN BOAT SCHOOL and Andy is meeting us in North Carolina, with a few kayaks?
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