A long weekend!
Although the “long weekend” has lost a bit of meaning for us since ceasing to be gainfully employed, it sure hasn’t lost anything for everyone else. The small craft advisory (this means big winds) that was in effect apparently didn’t scare a single sailor off the water yesterday. We saw literally a thousand boats out on the bay.
Count them… there are a thousand, I’m sure of it!
Our friends’ Lagoon 440.
The strong winds didn’t stop some boats from flying spinnakers. Not us!
This boat, a Colgate 26, is from the Offshore Sailing School, which is where we first learned how to sail in their Fast Track to Cruising course.
We set off yesterday morning, with our friends in their Lagoon not far behind, headed for St. Michaels, a popular town on the Miles River. We were aware that the strong winds we could feel in the Magothy would be even stronger once we got out on the bay. For this reason decided to put a reef in our main as we raised it. Almost immediately after we got it up and started to sail, we had an emergency situation… a COB. That’s Cushion OverBoard in case you weren’t familiar with this important nautical term. Don’t worry… the cushion was saved and, along with his companion, was stowed down below so as not to fall overboard again.
By this time our friends had radioed us to let us know that the winds were supposed to be even higher down the bay. With threats of gusts to 30 knots, we decided to put 2 reefs in the main and are we ever happy that we did. Although we saw some people out there with full sails up, we had all the power that we wanted. The combination of the big winds and large waves made for some exciting, bordering on scary, sailing. Because we neglected to put our dodger back on before we set out, both Rebecca and I ended up a bit wet from waves crashing up over the bow and spraying us back in the cockpit. Oops.
Welcome to St. Michaels!
Rebecca has been working on a new choke hold. It works!
Skipjacks.
Today we’re looking forward to exploring the town a bit more and seeing the log canoe races that we have heard about.
I was hoping you would get to see the Annapolis / St. Mikes Labor Day mob. It’s something else. On Friday we saw only about 10 boats in 40 miles.
Ah the crab claw. I used to go there almost 30 years ago. Hope you had som REAL steamed crabs with BEER!
Wish I could partake. Have fun and enjoy the seafood.
Always bring cash to the Crab Claw – they don’t take credit!
You guys have experienced some true Chesapeake Bay traditions, rafting up with a friend and St. Mike’s (named after me, BTW *cough*). The log canoe races can be awesome, when last in St. Mike’s, we were pressed into action as crew. The scrambling up and down the boards to keep these 100-year old canoes from being swamped is really cool and makes you glad for having a catamaran.
Fair Winds,
Mike
We have many fond memories of St Michaels. In fact, in 2006 we attended my nephew’s wedding in that very church you photographed.
But our first visit was even more memorable.
It’s a lovely place!
bob
What beautiful pictures! As I keep saying, it feels as though you are taking us along with you. Keep up the wonderful work, and ENJOY!!