sixty two

 

DRY DOCK

I was extra tired and hungry as I reached the bridge at the end of the outer banks of Virginia. I stopped at a campground where they wanted $25 for a place in the lawn by the store plus the bathroom would be closed at five o'clock so I said no thanks. 

I had to find a place for the night somewhere because after the bay bridge there was a military camp with no stopping permitted signs for the next ten miles. Commando camping was out because I could end up in jail. 

I asked for ideas at a nearby marina and met Andy. Andy was a local handy man who lived in the marina. He said they didn't have camping, but he didn't like the guy who owned the campground. He checked with the owner then asked me for ten bucks. 

I figured it was for the owner, but I think Andy used it for beer. He told me where to find food which was back about five miles. The payoff was the best shower on the planet. 

It was a fairly new plywood building with warped floors and bugs. I didn't see them, choosing not to look but I know they were there. 

The shower had no exhaust fan so it soon turned into a steam sauna. The water was extra hot and pressure from the two headed shower was powerful.  One was for massage and the other was pins and needles. I hadn't taken a shower that long since I was in junior high. 

I cooked a freeze dried dinner then sat on Andy's porch.  I drank coffee while Andy drank the beer I think I paid for. We talked about the food from the bay, clams, crabs, and oysters. I think he was related to that guy in Forest Gump.

Andy told me about a boat that was in storage, where I could sleep. It had a cabin with a bed, and a lot of Andy's brand if beer cans. 

It was going to rain so I would be high and dry during the rainy night.

Morning came and the rain stopped. I was mostly packed so after coffee and a bathroom I headed down the road. Any was a good man.