Sun, pristine beaches, palm trees, quiet anchorages, great snorkeling, fresh fish, and freedom from the rat race. What person has not fantasized about the challenge of sailing a boat to islands of paradise. Floyd and Elaine Tapp had read their “how to” books and thought they were prepared for the challenge. What should have been a nice cruise across the Florida Panhandle after purchasing their dreamboat turned into a demented struggle to survive. From the ridiculous situation on the night of the closing at Shell Point, FL to the miracle Floyd pulled surfing their sailboat in near hurricane conditions over a shallow sand bar on the third try to get in the anchorage at Destin, FL. Floyd became some kind of hero to the local fishermen and sailors. At the local pub one fisherman noticed Floyd’s accent and asked where he was from. The answer Kentucky made Floyd and Elaine the Sailing Hillbillies forever.) During their stay at Destin, he had a hard time paying for a beer at the local fishermen hangout. The bartender even served him free raw oysters during happy hour.
Floyd was proud of his achievements in the face of danger. Floyd’s “type a” personality and “learn-as-you-go” attitude had him learning from his mistakes at a phenomenal rate. He felt his ingenuity and perseverance had saved the day numerous times the next few years. Elaine was convinced it was not Floyd but the “power of prayer” and the hands of Jesus that enabled them to survive. She believed she truly has witnessed miracles.
The 2nd Edition adds 3 more chapters of misadventures where Floyd grabbed the bull by the horns and saved the day in each one. As of the day I wrote this, there were four collectors with their new or like new copies of the 1st Edition priced for over $900 on Amazon. Sounds crazy to me but I know nothing about collecting books. For More Saga of The Sailing Hillbillies….
