The unseasonably warm weather in the east considerably delayed the colorful fall foliage that makes this time of year such a pleasure to view, especially on the drive down to Rock Hall, where leaf-peeping is usually about a week or so behind New Jersey. That didn't deter seventeen hearty souls, who made their way to Haven Charters on Thursday for our weekend trip to St. Michaels and their annual Fall Festival.  Most did arrive in time for an impromptu group dinner at Harbor Shack.

On Friday it was an early start for a long day on the water. On Steve's boat, Eleanor volunteered to make the coffee, which one of the crew suggested would have tasted better if she had put grounds in the basket. Mia ensured an early departure by refusing to let her crew have breakfast until they were underway. The meal was further delayed when the first mate, who shall not be named (at least right here) found a thin patch of water on the way out of Swan Creek. Thanks to Bob and crew for getting them back underway.

 Our sail would be taking us the long route around Kent Island, up Eastern Bay and around the corner into the Miles River and St. Michaels. The winds were acceptable, southeasterly at about 5 – 10 knots, for a decent sail down the bay, however not nearly up to the usual 15 knots or so we're so used to for this time of year.

Off of Annapolis, Bob's boat decided to enter a submarine race near the Naval Academy. The race was no contest, as the sub was anchored. Once around Bloody Point, Bob's and Steve's boats did a few criss-crosses tacking up Eastern Bay before the winds shifted so much that they weren’t making enough forward progress. Mia’s boat pointed well for a very long tack up the bay, then made a short tack just before the wind shifted. All three motor-sailed the rest of the way to St. Michaels. Once there and safely tucked into our slips at the Harbour Inn, it was off to the showers, and then dinner.

The Harbour Inn provides a free continental breakfast with omelet bar, which made for a nice surprise, and a lot of left-over breakfast food on Bob's and Steve’s boats! Mia’s crew, after Friday’s delayed breakfast, made up for it with a lovely meal on board. It's Festival day, so off we went to the various doings in town. In the morning, Mia's crew broke into groups and went walking and shopping in town. Most of Steve's and Bob’s crews took a docent-led walking tour of "Frederick Douglass' St. Michaels." Douglass spent three years in St. Michaels, and spent most of his younger life as a slave in Maryland. After the tour, "Bob's Angels" went to the local microbrewery, where they 'toured' the tasting room, while Bob and Gary took a winery tour. Others walked around town, visiting the pumpkin carving contest, or just browsing the various shops and boutiques, parting with some coin along the way.

On Sunday, alas, the winds had pivoted around to the north, so, with little to no chance of sailing, we motored back to Rock Hall, passing through Kent Narrows, which was reported to be very shallow in spots, and maybe the safe water wasn't where it was supposed to be. It turned out to be not much different than we've experienced before. Depths on the north side channel went as low as six feet or so, which is plenty of water for a boat with a five foot six inch draft! We all made it through without incident, however, and made it back to Rock Hall and journeyed home without further ado.