I think I'm in love....

I was 14 when I read the book "Dove" by Robin Graham. It was an autobiographical story of 16 year old Robin who sailed around the World (alone) over the course of 5 years. It is still one of the greatest stories of adventure that I have read. When I saw this photo of the Miss M those same feelings of inspiration and exploration came rushing back and I am excited to have its owners, Doug and Meyka Paddock moving her to Sawmill Point.

The Paddock's moved to Wilmington in 2006 from Greensboro. Doug works for BB&T Wealth Management as a financial planner and Meyka works for RSM McGladery as a customer service representative in the tax area. With both of them working Downtown, the convenience of Sawmill Point is another great reason to dock the Miss M nearby.

They learned how to sail after they moved to the coast. A friend of theirs, Rob Larkin, who is also moving to Sawmill Point, mentored them on his sailboat Victoria Celeste and they took sailing classes with Ed Shires at II Dolphins at Wrightsville Beach.

They bought Miss M last year. She is a 1969 Rawson 30, a heavily built fiberglass sailing vessel that is a proved blue water cruiser. I know very little about boats but I am getting a great education and Doug shared the following with me:

"By early 1969 seven Rawson 30s had been sailed from the west coast to Hawaii, two to Tahiti, and one to Australia. At least three of these full-keel plastic classics have completed circumnavigations. Designed by William Garden and built by Ron Rawson in Washington Statethere were 252 sloops and 36 pilot house models built between 1959 and 1985."

Incredible!

The Paddock's have been able to sail and enjoy Miss M while restoring her. Weekends are frequently spent at anchor enjoying the natural beauty of our area. Another highlight has also been getting connected to the cruising community on the east coast ("snowbirds") by attending both the Cruiser Rendezvous held in New Bern last year and the Seven Seas Cruising Association Gam in Melbourne, Florida this year.

They hope to live and cruise on Miss M in the future. For now, they split their time between their land home here in Wilmington and the (amazing) Miss M - we are thrilled to have them!