Believe it or not, every other year I spend a week in Bethany Beach, Del. I receive some strange looks when I tell others vacationing there that I am from Fort Myers, Fla.
I used to live in northwest New Jersey. I spent a lot of time as a child fishing and hunting in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
I started at the Pink Shell Resort & Marina in September 2012. My first task was to oversee the construction of the marina and make it operational.
Boaters often tell me they came to visit because they read exceptional online reviews about me and the marina.
Warren Buffet. He is extremely smart and successful, yet still down-to-earth.
Taking my kids fishing. My dad always found time to take my brother and I fishing and I like to do the same with my daughters.
I get my best ideas in the middle of the night. I usually unexpectedly wake up with solutions to challenges I am having at the marina.
Rent a pontoon boat. They are easy to handle and hard to get into too much trouble with.
Our dedication to service. I believe that very few marinas in this area can compete with the quality of service we provide.
Still here at the Pink Shell Resort & Marina. I consider this marina my baby and it will be hard for me to give her up.
The day sweltered like only a day in Mississippi can. There was not a single whistle of wind. I felt like Spanish moss drooping over the branches of live oak trees, unable to move. I dragged my feet across the open parking lot to the farmers' market, feeling my skin sizzle with each step.In the shade of the Ocean Springs-Biloxi overpass, a woman sat on an overturned orange paint pail, protected from the sun's rays burning between her tight cornrows. Her shoulders hunched forward, and her elbows rested on her knees. Her fingers were thick and cracked with years of hard work, yet nimble as she used her thumbs to split apart dark purple bean pods. She ran her index finger down the pocket, extracting the green-tinged beans. The same deep purple color marked the center of the bean surrounded by a pink oblong splotch.
"Are these black-eyed peas?" I asked. The woman sucked the scorched air between her teeth and let out a laugh that filled the parking lot. Her dark eyes glistened. "No, child. Thems have black eyes." She ran her hands through the plastic bowl between her knees and scooped up a handful of peas. "These here have pink eyes." She pointed to the center of one. "Theys called purple-hull pink-eye peas."
Sometimes, I can be so dumb. "These here." The woman pointed to an almost identical pile of beans. "Theys called crowders. And over here, another pile lay on the far end of the table, these are small lady peas."
"Which one is your favorite?" This was a variation of the question I asked everyone at every market around the world. "How would you cook these for your family?"
The woman turned teacher in an instant as she demonstrated zippering the beans and shelling the peas from the center. "You take these and boil thems with bacon and some seasoning. These here crowders make lots a gravy to mop up with cornbread."
I lowered my eyes. "My cornbread recipe is not so good." The woman looked like I just used the Lord's name in vain. "Girl, you gets some of that self-raising flour and fresh ground corn." She slapped her thigh and her whole bosom jiggled. "My secret is you mix in a spoon of mayonnaise to make it moist." She kept shelling peas the whole time we spoke. You do that, and you'll have good cornbread. She scooped and bagged the crowders and moved over to her original bowl of pink eyes.
"Now, these here are better for salad." She reached over the table for a field-ripened bright red tomato. "Boil them and mix them with tomato, peppers, some chilies, and corn." She picked up two thin cobs, the silk still woven through the kernels, and placed them on my growing pile of vegetables from her farm. "These are the last of the Silver Queens for the season."
As the woman slipped the pro- duce into my cloth bag, I couldn't help but feel I was living in a scene straight from the pages of Kathryn Stockett's The Help. I was Skeeter, but I wasn't asking for advice on cleaning but rather how to cook Southern dishes. Or, maybe, I was Miss Celia, leaning over Minny, learning how to fry chicken.
"You come back next week and I'll bring you some of my cornbread to try." I stepped out of the refuge and into the blazing sun, hardly registering the rise in temperature since we had begun talking. I practically skipped to my car, arms laden with bags of Mississippi-grown produce and recipes for the next day's lunch, eager to return on Tuesday for my next cooking lesson.
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Enter to win a Bahamas Chartkit from Richardson's Maptech and a Florida Embassy Guide (value $150).
It is now easy to access all of the information you need to plan your next cruise or getaway. Use the enhanced Marinalife quick search on marinalife.com to find information about marinas, anchorages, destinations, fuel locations, cruise itineraries, articles and more - all in one location.
BoatSetter, a new rental marketplace, conceived, run and supported by marine industry veterans, is now live in South Florida (more locations coming soon). BoatSetter unites boat owners with prescreened renters that will help make boating more affordable and accessible. Boat owners make the most of their asset by chartering their boat on the days it would otherwise be docked. The owner sets the terms on availability, frequency of use and cost along with access to a nationwide network of USCG licensed captains.
Nancy Cooper correctly guessed the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and won 1-night free dockage. Congratulations!
Planning a cruise with canine crew? These destinations are just right for you and your furry best friend.
Few other cities can match San Francisco's charms, even the obvious ones such as cable cars and Alcatraz tours. San Francisco loves animals, too; there's even a service (National Cab Company) that will transport you and your pup around the city. A good place to tie up and is pet-friendly, full-service Pier 39 Marina (415-705-5436) near Fisherman's Wharf. It boasts 300 slips, transient dockage for boasts up to 85 feet and a big sea lion population that draws visitors from all around. If you want to take Fido for a long walk, San Francisco has more than 50 dog parks to choose from. Crissy Field is popular with boaters because it offers sand, surf, doggie water fountains and a washing station, or check out Baker Beach, an off-leash beach just one mile south of the Golden Gate Bridge. Show off Fido's amazing abilities or paint a pet portrait on August 23rd, at Strut Your Mutt on Treasure Island.
This laid-back locale with a fun and funky culture all its own is one of the most popular cruising destinations in the country, and a great place to bring your four-legged companions. At the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Gardens, you can enjoy trails while Fido (on a leash) sniffs around butterflies, birds, flowers and a freshwater pond. For a romp in a traditional dog park, there's Higgs Beach, where your dog can run free and enjoy awesome water views. There are some two dozen restaurants in Key West that welcome dogs at their outdoor tables: Blue Heaven is a go-to place for breakfast; lunch and dinner are good at Salute on the beach; hang with the big dogs for drinks at Schooner Wharf Bar; next to Louie's Backyard there's a beach just for dogs. When searching for a marina, consider Stock Island Marina Village (305-294-2288), which has its own dog park. And don't forget souvenirs. There are many pet-friendly shops in this town, including Dog 30 on White Street.
Located on unspoiled, pirate-favored, this city in northernmost Florida harkens back to the Sunshine State's bygone days. Surrounded by moss-draped oak trees, the Victorian village on this 18-mile-long barrier isle is filled with charming restaurants and B&Bs and is close to 13 miles of beach, some of which is pet friendly. For a run off-leash, take your pup to the Nassua Humane Society Dog Park. There are dining options for cruisers traveling with pets, including Happy Tomato (deli sandwiches and BBQ served on an outdoor patio) and Café Karibo, an eatery with international influences that includes an outdoor seating area for peeps and pets. If you're cruising through the area in late August, check out the Great Southern Tailgate Cookoff at Main Beach, a BBQ competition that welcomes pets. Top marina options are Fernandina Harbour Marina (904-310-3300), located on the ICW, and Amelia Island Yacht Basin (904-277-4615), which boasts a fullservice marine center and ship store.
For crews with a passion for the great outdoors, there's Portland. Located in Casco Bay, it's a great starting point for a Down East cruise. Pet-friendly berthing facilities include DiMillos Old Port Marina (207-773-7632) with transient slips for vessels up to 250 feet and a great location in the heart of the city's Old Port. From DiMillos, it's a short walk to town. About a dozen restaurants welcome dogs, including the Portland Lobster Company (fresh seafood, entertainment and killer views) and El Rayo Taqueria, which has outdoor seating for pets and fabulous homemade salsa. For a fun excursion, book space for you and your pet on the Casco Bay Mailboat, a working boat that makes deliveries to nearby islands. For exercise, head to Quarry Run Dog Park, which features seven acres of fenced-in play space for canines. Commemorate your vacation with a portrait of your pup at sit.stay.snap, which specializes in creative pet photography.
This historic island and former whaling port is relatively small, but it boasts some of the best beaches in the Northeast. And many of them welcome pups on leash, including charming Jetties Beach just outside of town. You can also bring your pet out to Madaket Beach for a romp in the sand and for a gaze at one the prettiest sunsets in New England. A number of hiking and walking trails offering views to windswept moors, salt marshes and coastal dunes that are open to dogs. When you're ready to berth for the night, head to the Nantucket Boat Basin (508-325-1350), which welcomes pets. Fido is instantly greeted with a freshly filled water bowl, dog treats and toys. The marina is located just steps from Swain's Wharf, a dog friendly park along with boutiques, galleries and some of the best dining in the country including Cisco Brewers that welcomes dogs.
One of the best waterfront cities in the Northeast is also a great destination for pets, who get access to some ofBoston's most delightful sites. When planning a visit, consider tying up at Constitution Marina (617-241-9640) on Boston Harbor, as pets are welcome. The marina can accommodate yachts up to 150feet, and it's located on the Freedom Trail in the Charles-town neighborhood of Boston. Pets are welcome on the trail provided they're on leash. Boston Yacht Haven (617-367-5050) is another pet-friendly facility with transient slips, a launch service and access to hotel amenities. It's located in Boston's historic North End on Commercial Wharf, near to famed Quincy Market, the New England Aquarium, Boston's theater and financial districts, and downtown. When out shopping, you can bring your pet to some fun shops, including the Pawsh Dog Boutique and Polka Dog Bakery. There are up to 12 off-leash parks in the city including Charlesgate Dog Run adjacent to the Harvard Bridge along with a few dog-friendly beaches like Castle Island Recreation Area.
It's one of the Atlantic Coast's most charming waterfront waterfront ports, and it welcomes boaters traveling with pets. When planning a stay, consider the award-winning Charleston City Marina (843-723-5098) located on the ICW and deep in the heart of historic downtown Charleston. This facility spans about 40 acres, and it boasts the longest freestanding floating fuel dock in the southeast. We like the deep-draft slips and floating bathhouse with laundry facilities; pet owners like the complimentary downtown van service, as the driver will allow pets if there's room. Shuttle your pooch into town for a walk to one of several dog parks in the city. Among them is Magnolia Plantation. There are beautiful gardens to explore, yes, but even more fun are tram tours that permit dogs. There's plenty of good shopping in Charleston, too; head for King Street, as many shops allow pets to browse with you.
Halifax is a blend of the past and present. (18th century architecture, alongside ultra-modern towers of glass and steel) with its entertaining waterfront, draws curious cruisers to this historic port year after year. That includes boatowners with canine crew. There are pet-friendly marinas here, such as Queen's Wharf Marina (902-456-2433) with berths on several wharves and services such as chandlery, maintenance and repair. In Halifax, you can take your pet on a few cultural adventures. The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, for instance, allows dogs on the grounds. Over on the Queen's Wharf, dogs on leash are allowed to board the Tall Ship Silva, a restored vessel originally built in Karlstad, Sweden. A nearby boardwalk is open to well-mannered pups. For a fun land-based exploration, head to Point Pleasant Park, the largest forested park on the Halifax peninsula. It offers fine views of the Atlantic Ocean and is one of a half-dozen off-leash parks for dogs.
Available on Google Play, the Apple App Store and Galaxy Store
This fish finder app lets anglers discover saltwater and freshwater catches with the snap of a picture. Take a live shot or import photos and the AI technology works its magic. Learn about marine habitats and check weather conditions including winds, tides, water temperature and barometric pressure. (Free download; premium subscription is $29.99/year) fishverify.com
Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store
Take photos of your shoreline discoveries and this innovative app helps you figure out what they are and the sea creature that built it. Thanks to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in Sanibel, FL, beachcombers can now identify most common shells found across Florida beaches in seconds. ($1.99 download) shellmuseum.org
Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store
This navigation and social boating app offers satellite, terrain and NOAA map features, depth and contours, trip planning, voyage tracking and a captain’s log for itineraries. Find points of interest such as fuel docks, anchorages, marinas and restaurants. The social boating features helps you connect with the boating community (Free download) argonav.io
By Paul Humann and Ned Deloach
Whether you’re a southern angler or marine wildlife documenter, you’ll love combing through 1,000 photographs of more than 683 species in this book. Designed as a reference guide, this new 4th edition identifies fish and aquatic creatures throughout the waterways of Florida, the Caribbean and Bahamas. ($44.95) reef.org/products/reef-fish-identification-florida-caribbean-and-bahamas-4th-edition
by Kenn Kaufman Kaufman Field Guides
This guide has been a leading birdlife guidebook for decades. Vibrant photos, detailed descriptions and range maps illustrate a lively key for bird-watching excursions. The book is compact, easily portable and studies most species in North America. (Prices vary)
kaufmanfieldguides.com/birds.html
By Len McDougall
Whether you’re hunting for dinner, hiking or being an avid nature lover, this guide makes animal tracking easy. Discover North American species such as the American Elk and Whitetail Deer. Identify footprints, habitats and range. This book isn’t just for hunters; it’s for explorers of all kinds. ($34.56)
barnesandnoble.com/w/the-trackers-handbook-len-mcdougall/1118940778
Available on Google Play and the Apple App Store
Point a smartphone to the sky and suddenly you appear in your own planetarium with this stargazing app. Sky Guide locates your position and follows the stars in real time while superimposing constellations and figures interactively. Find planets in rotation, discover where Pisces is currently rising or catch the next meteor shower.($1.99 download) apps.apple.com/us/app/sky-guide/id576588894
National Geographic Kids
Children will become overnight marine biologists with this fun learning series. Young readers can spot sea otters, manatees, turtles and much more. Teach your kids about aquatic habitats with photography and unique fun facts on each species. ($17.99)
barnesandnoble.com/w/ocean-animals-collection-national-geographic-kids/1123056379
SmartLab Toys
This outdoor set brings out kids’ inner scientific explorer. Examining bugs, plants, dirt, weather and more. Activities include testing various samples and tracking findings in a science log. Kids can enjoy after-dark exploration with the UV night scope. ($45)
shopsweetthreads.com/products/smartlab-toys-outdoor-science-lab-bugs-dirt-plants
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