Some may think this little corner of the paper too often mentions Southport subjects.
Guilty as charged. It's where I leave from and where I return to. In my travels, things show up. As good fortune would have it, my cameras ride shotgun almost everywhere I go. Good for me.
Often when returning to the island around sunset the light of day's end beams into special darkened corners. This time of year we catch glimpses and snitches lit when the sun wiggles around the landscape.
Recently, when crossing the bridge home, the sun washed over the western shore of Juniper Point, illuminating the boat ramp cove where David Nutt's sailing critter, Danza, sits peacefully. I wasn't able to ignore this scene and almost ran over the bridge tending person hurrying into Robinson’s auxiliary wharf parking lot once seasonally crowded by Eliot Winslow groupies.
I photographed Danza and the family crew when they departed Robinson's Wharf in 2000, on their well documented 3-year trip around the world. I could not imagine doing that. Still can't. The whole family included Dr. Judy and four children, Charlotte, 4, Jasper, 9, Sarah, 11 and David, 13. And we used to think it was challenging to take the girls to the beach!
It's hard to imagine all that this family and this boat must have seen and experienced, especially as Danza sits so quietly in the late day sun on her mooring.
The children have all grown and scattered. I do hear from Sarah now and then. She and I seemed to connect when she was a little girl. Doctor Judy is still doctoring and father David has moved his boat business to a special spot on the River Road in Edgecomb.
But still, Southport is on the way home for many.