The rain and strong east winds with gusts continued into early May -- what a surprise.  The 50th Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina Beach started with a bang on Friday, May 3.  The fireworks were fabulous.  The festival had scheduled bands outside in a big tent, over 300 artisans in outdoor booths, and food vendors.  Unfortunately, some events were not held and some artisans didn't show up.  However, the rain and wind left by Sunday at noon so the entire event was not washed out.

The festivities included the Blessing of the Fleet in the early afternoon on Sunday.  Some of the decorated shrimp boats were docked near us with their colorful streamers blowing in the wind.

After the ceremony, the boats cruised along the marina showing off their creative decorations.  This photo was taken from the stern of Palmetto Moon looking into the harbor.  The three orange objects on the roof of the boat were "golden shrimp" the theme of the Festival.

On Monday, May 6, we planned to leave but decided it was too windy for us to travel especially through one of our least favorite sounds, St. Andrews.  On Tuesday, May 7, the winds had calmed down enough for us to cruise about 40 miles up to Brunswick Landing Marina.  We had dinner with JoJo and Tom who live there, several cocktail/appetizer get-togethers with boaters, and a pot luck dinner on our dock. 

On Wednesday, May 15, we arrived at Port Royal Landing Marina where we spent a lot of time visiting with our friends, Terry and Kim, who live there.  On Saturday, May 18, the Palmetto Cruisers MTOA group had a luncheon attended by around 40 people.  Many of them had been in Fernandina for the Rendezvous there in April.

We continued north with horeseflies attacking us or downpours of rain until we arrived at Marina Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, May 25.  We renewed our friendships with fellow boaters and the staff of Anchor Cafe that night.  It was a true homecoming scene.

 On Monday, May 27, we were invaded by the US Navy as they arrived by water in four test boats and by land in huge trucks along with another boat on a trailer.  Jim watched and took pictures, but his good fortune was talking with some of them at Anchor Cafe.  He found out that they had just come from Charleston where they did exercises in the Harbor and they were on their way back to Norfolk.  Of course, he tried to find out what they were really doing but the only answer was testing!

On Wednesday, May 29, we drove 3 1/2 hours south to Port Royal and picked up Su's car and drove the 3 1/2 hours back.  We are mobile again!