LTB and the "Ranger Finger"

[SUWANNEE]

Well now don't get upset it is the INDEX finger.

We have been at Shields Marina in St Marks FL. on the St. Marks River since Mid May have spent 51 nights on the boat, kinda like real live a boards.

The marina is located seven miles from the Gulf with another five miles up to the Coastal Highway low bridge.
It is a routine for all of the day trippers to come in from the Gulf and cruise up the river and then come back down to one of the two ramps or the marina to end their day.

We have been in slip #72 with our bow facing the river and every afternoon it starts.......

The fingers start pointing at us and the people call out of course "cute boat", "i love your boat" and then they come back downstream and it starts all over again especially the ladies tugging [no pun intended] on their companions shirts, arms and even beards to make sure that that saw the "CUTE" little boat.

We just smile and give them the Royal Ranger Wave, if I'm inside and there are little kids they get a toot of the horn and I get waves and big grins. Many after pulling their boats make the almost it seems obligatory visit to see the "Little Tug Boots" up close and personal.

So we'll just keep getting the finger and giving the waves. 😎

 

[Levitation]

One must use the appropriate British Royals wave. Watch any news shot of the queen waving to her serfs and you will see how it MUST be done. :mrgreen:

 

[baz]

The Queen's wave is kind of a 'back hander'... :lol: ...but you also must have that large squarish handbag in the other hand while waving. :lol: :lol:

Joking aside... I never get tired of my dock mates telling me our R-25 is a great looking boat. The more aggressive types will even ask me for an onboard tour. Our Sunset Yellow Portland Pudgy get's almost as much attention as well... 😉

 

[SUWANNEE]

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While your Pudgy definitely draws attention -- please note the Commodore "Lady Paddlesports", she allows her friends to call her "Paddy", draws attention on a very high scale little children and people of all ages just want to pet the puppy
and tour the boat.

As to the Wave, we have a very laid back gracious Southern wave and we could never use the British Royal wave, we fought a war to throw then out some years ago.

As we all know the interest in the little Tugs and the "tours" are a couple of the fun things that go with being a Ranger tug owner.
We also keep brochures from our dealer Wefings Marine located an hour from us.no commissions yet but i'm waiting

 

[baz]

Fair enough.... we lived just North of Atlanta (Sandy Springs) for 4 years and then another 3 years in southern Virginia and got quite used to the Southern Waving style as well as their wonderful speaking drawl... we both were convinced we would be talking 'southern' in a few weeks after arriving in this country... but for some reason it never took hold... the southerners liked the way we talked and we liked the way they talked and we got along famously... especially when leaving the grocery store as we were held captive and chatted for ever as the checkout lady simply would not let us stop talking... we always end up with... "...y'all come back now..." and we both left with each of us waving... :lol:

How can you resist this one... our Teddy (Wire Hair Fox Terrier)...

As to the war of 1775–1783 where the United States had the allies/help of France, Spain, Dutch, etc aiding them against the 'Kingdom' it was simply the lack of a single British frigate during the Yorktown battle that lost the war to the United States... so goes the history I've read... :roll: The Yorktown battle fields BTW are a glorious place to fly kites and we spent many hours there doing just that with our son when he was 8 years old.

As far as the UK taxing the Colonists, or at least trying, they still do this with the Isle of Man (IoM - Manx) where my 1st Mate was born... and so far they've not rebelled... yet. :lol:

 

[SUWANNEE]

AHHH Baz to bring up the War where the World Was turned Upside Down and rather it was ONE Ship or Fifty.

We sent you packing. 😎
As to having allies in order to win.

We showed our love and generosity in stepping up to the bar on several occasions,when our British Cousins needed an ally.

I have a number of Brits who are dear friends and on the 4th of July I always send them a SYMPATHY card. Who knows you may just make that list.

Darling Puppy.

Oh by the way, I am a Virginian and have 6 ancestors who helped book passage for some folks to go back to their Island. :?

 

[baz]

John:

Thanks for your kind and informative posting. That's a fun way to celebrate the 4th and I'm sure your Brit friends take it in jest, as I would also.

Being a dual citizen of USA and Britain where we've lived in USA for longer than our upbringing in the UK by more than a factor of 2, having a son who's a Georgian (born at the site of the Battle of Peachtree Creek in Atlanta) and two Virginian daughters, we are truly Americans and an American family in the best sense of the word. We all celebrate July 4th and the 5th of Novemeber as well. 😉

Today, America surely must have strong ties with Europe and increasingly with S. Americans and people from the far East countries. It's because of these ties that I feel the wavering of Americans to interfere/help other countries in their strife is based on this notion.

No doubt in my mind about the help given by USA during WWII was in large part successful in bringing an end to the war. I often wonder where we all would be now if that war was lost. Unfortunately, these type conflicts continue to this day and its difficult to figure out why and what the best course of action should be while sitting in a 'safe haven'.

 

[SUWANNEE]

Back on subject.

Late afternoon on Monday 9/2, I was able to surprise myself with my boat handling /docking skills greatly improved over the summer while dropping off passengers at the fuel dock. A couple up on the observation deck applauded the tricky docking with several rental pontoon boats tied up and left, they literally cried out as my head was sticking out of the window "WE LOVE YOUR BOAT"

So with adrenaline still racing I called come on down to our slip and we'll give you the tour. So down they came on their bikes. They informed us that they had been riding their bikes down every weekend all summer and admiring "Little Tug" from afar. During the tour it was determined that she raises show horses and mules. A deal was cut if I could come and visit her mule farm; they would get a day's cruise on the fabulous little boat.

 

[baz]

John: After reading your last post I'm convinced I will benefit from placing a suitable worded Ad in local newspaper or even Craigslist along with a photo of Laxey. Then again, this may not be a good idea... :lol:

 

[SUWANNEE]

Who needs AD, I just cruise up and down the docks and beaches and some days feel like Pied Piper
with all the folks suddenly appearing.

In the Keys, we literally had a line on the dock wanting to see the "CUTE" little Tug.

Of course the Little White Dog attracts a lot of OLD MEN. :roll:

Have a great day !!!

I'm trying to get some things accomplished at my office and get back to boat.