Several years ago, a few sail boats took refuge from a storm in St. Mary's a few days before Thanksgiving, and asked where they could get a holiday meal. Several townspeople offered to cook a turkey and ham if the cruisers brought the fixin's. And so, a yearly event was established at Seagal's, the local hotel restuarant. Each year the number of boats has grown, and this year topped 100.
What a feast we had; We started off with roasted oysters provided by the restaurant. Here are pictures of Gerry, former mayor of St. Mary's and owner of the hotel, cleaning, steaming and serving the oysters for hungry cruisers. The whole in the middle of the table is for the oyster shells after we opened them. Three rows of tables were laden with every imaginable dish for the holiday. What was more surprising, was the quality of the food. I'm realizing more and more that cruisers really care about food and know how to cook. Some cruisers even brought their own holiday tablecloths, placemats, napkins and decorations. 
The event was planned by a small group of cruisers and townies; to make things operate smoothly, every morning at 9:00 a.m. a few days before the holiday, we listened to a broadcast of the 'Turkey Net' (for network) over our VHF radios. Announcements were made followed by questions and then we signed up for such things as a ride to the supermarket, laundry, or West Marine store. Two days before Thanksgiving, and again on Saturday night, a happy hour was planned on the restaurant patio with cruisers bringing appetizer
s thus giving us all an opportunity to meet and network with people we had already met along the way as well as new friends.
It's all part of the adventure of cruising!And I thought I would be bored...
s thus giving us all an opportunity to meet and network with people we had already met along the way as well as new friends.
It's all part of the adventure of cruising!And I thought I would be bored...
The day we left, we headed for Florida, only five miles away.
