2011 Season Finale – Cuban Style

As I prepare this little ditty, I am reminded of the annual meeting and my presentation of what would be the season finale down in the Chesapeake.

Almost as important is what has happened since we have returned … the “in-between” was business as usual:  Would it be more boats or less?  Who’s not going and who is?  Plan, sell, market, updates, collect money, make deposits, final payments, provision … the easy stuff, right?  Of course …

But back to that presentation: It promised an extended summer with mild temperatures and seasonable sailing conditions.  It would all start from Annapolis, Maryland, the “Sailing Capital of the Country.”  We’d sail over the three days of Columbus Day weekend, and the trip would be made complete by a visit to the Annapolis boat show and something inevitably served with crabmeat.

So what has happened since the trip?  In a nutshell, I’ve gained a new perspective on the trip and the adage and importance of making lemonade when it seems only lemons are to be found.

Now fast forward about four weeks from the trip, on the heels of the just passed hurricane/tropical storm Irene and the infamous Halloween snow storm.  You remember - the one that dropped a foot of wet snow over those leaf-covered trees that came tumbling down on power and cable lines.  Hard to believe that was only a month after the very gentle and warm breezes of our Chesapeake getaway.

Being the great student of irony that I am, I find myself looking back, quite fondly, at the remarkably calm weekend our season finale was.  And wondering how soon I can do it again!

Let’s begin Friday evening.  Thankfully everyone made it to Annapolis Bay Charters in time to enjoy a warm and relaxing late afternoon.  The boat checkouts went smoothly.  Skippers and first mates were briefed, paperwork was signed, and our boats, crew, gear and provisions were ready to go.  We also welcomed three new members: John Hauris from Virginia who decided to travel with us after taking a sailing lesson with Jim Nixon in Oriental, North Carolina.  And Jeanne Kane joined us with husband Kevin on her first sailing trip. Cocktails in hand, the weekend had officially started.

Dinner would be at Sam’s Waterfront restaurant.  Although we had not made reservations we suggested to the hostess that, in a bad light, I look a lot like Steve Martin.  Could we expect celebrity treatment?  It must have worked; she was amused enough not to seat us by the restroom doors!  I’ll have to remember that for the future.

Saturday morning was brilliant.  After breakfast, Randy Cooke, seeking his second checkout as first mate, presented the sail plan to both boats, in detail, and we were off.  At this time, I’d like to recall the aforementioned lemon/lemonade analogy rather than direct you to one of those disclaimer notices that always seem to be at hand.  Randy’s plan will now be referred to as a “MotorFloat” plan and not a “Sail” plan for a very good reason.  I also want to avoid any of those nasty “Bait and Switch” issues!

After a short motor run out of the Marina and into the majestic Chesapeake, our sails went up.  And almost as quickly they came right back down again: no wind.  UGH.  Bob Rainey suggested we throw orange M&Ms overboard.  It was an offering that apparently had worked on a previous trip.  Not so much this time but now I know how carp get their color!

Ahh, but all we need is a little patience.  After all, this was Columbus Day weekend and the sailor he was wouldn’t allow something like this to last for long.  We maintained our course for Tilghman Creek and Saturday evening’s site of our first night raft-up.  Our skippers, Jeff Hamer and Mia McCroskey and first mates Bob “Orange Beard” Rainey and Julio Menendez handled it flawlessly.  In fact, the raft-up is now video archived on YouTube.

It was onto the evening’s event: “Un Noche de la Havana.”  It was mostly a cuisine event and if you’ve never had authentic Cuban food, this was a nice intro.  The crews of “Little Darling and “Time for Us” were quick studies: they made a wonderful dinner and some great leftovers.

So, for the curiosity seekers still with us, let’s do it by the numbers.  They’re worth mentioning … Appetizers – Stuffed avocado w/ lobster, Shrimp Escapeche, Bloody Mary Shrimp, Spicy Ham Spread. Mains – Chicken w/ Chorizo, Bean-Vegetable Salad and Desserts – Cuban Peaches Chantilly and Havana Bananas w/rum and Frangelico.  Julio M. is Cuban and, pardon the pun, also brought a boatload of food to complete the menu.  It was as good as it sounds and just in case you think we left anything out, a special two gallon batch of Jeff Hamer’s sangria not only complimented the evening’s courses but also lasted into the wee hours of Sunday morning!

Sunday morning again found everyone up early for the great weather and to witness something usually reserved for the National Geographic channel.  Behind our boats, a bald eagle swept down over the water, grabbed a fish and flew back into one of the trees along water’s edge.  It was an absolutely amazing sight.  Shortly after we resumed our (ahem) “MotorFloat” plan taking us to Glebe Creek for our second raft-up.  We also learned it was close to Londontown, Maryland (I wonder if this was the inspiration for Dire Straits in the song “Sultans of Swing” … probably not!)

Our second full day of sailing took us back into the Chesapeake for much more of what we experienced on Saturday.  That is, a gorgeous day on a flat-as-glass bay!  That could sound like a complaint but, it’s not.  As we know, all is good, when you’re on the water and comfortable.  Our second evening’s raft-up was understandably a bit more relaxed. Probably due to all the sun…

Our final day started like the first two, but suddenly about 10 a.m., a slight easterly breeze could be felt.  Could it be?  Had our celebrated Italian explorer delivered the winds we had been waiting for?  There seemed to be hint of basil and garlic in the air.  This must have been the (now famous) “pesto” trade winds.

We finally got the sails up and a little helm time for everyone.  Admittedly, it didn’t last very long, but still was very satisfying.  Realizing our trip to Annapolis and the Chesapeake would soon be over we eagerly took advantage of what we had.

A big muchos gracias to all for a successful trip and some great company.  Hope to see everyone on the seas (sails up!) again very soon.  Adios…

Frank Riley