While strong thunderstorms and near gale force winds may have put an ending to Charleston’s Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet — it left room for Plan “B” — a relaxed and shrimp laden afternoon with our Charleston friends Cindy and Bruce. A walk along the pier under the Ravenel Bridge made it clear why the Blessin’ was cancelled. Winds gusted to 35 knots, making the Cooper River void of boat traffic. With the exception of one small sailboat. He apparently had not tuned in to the weather channel.

Cindy and Bruce “define” southern hospitality – and it didn’t take long for Paddy and I to settle into a relaxed southern groove. Despite being 600 offshore miles away from Baltimore, thanks to Cindy and Bruce — Charleston felt like home.