|
Chesapeake Above the Bridge
|
When
Jackie at Haven Charters says “It will be windy Saturday and Sunday, so reef,
reef, reef!” – we listen.
Members of both crews jumped in the water for a delicious swim. But when Mia stuck her foot in under Legacy’s stern, something nipped at her toe. She squealed rather uncharacteristically and kicked hard away from the invisible predator. She wasn’t sure the others believed her until, a few minutes later, Virginia was also attacked by what we decided must be a large fish sheltering under Legacy. It left clear bite marks on Virginia’s skin. As preparations were starting for a summer solstice Club appetizer party, the boats rocked together on confused swells. “We’re un-rafting,” Mia announced. “Before the party?” someone asked. “Before it gets any later. And before I have a drink!” was Mia’s urgent and immediate response. Lines were quickly loosed and Silver Lining motored back behind Legacy and anchored, letting out a lot of scope. When skipper and crew all agreed that it was holding well, appetizer preparation resumed, as well as another swim. Legacy’s crew sent photos of their display of “summer solstice” appetizers, declaring Mary’s lemon blueberry cupcakes the solstice theme winner. On Silver Lining the food vanished before anyone could take pictures, but Craig’s tortellini/olive/sundried tomato skewers were the agreed winner. It was a long, rolling night with constant wind and strong gusts. In the morning both boats were still in place, as well as the three or four others in the anchorage. Legacy weighed anchor and headed slowly for the channel to exit the creek. Silver Lining’s anchor was slow to come up, but lost its hold early on. So the strong wind pushed her into shallow water before Mia could take control. As the anchor broke the surface, the keel brushed the bottom. Mia let the bow pivot around and applied a lot of reverse. Bump, bump, bump – the keel dragged through mud, but she kept moving backward for about ten yards into deeper water. Mia finally breathed and turned the bow into the wind and toward the channel. Legacy deployed a reefed main and jib while
Silver Lining stuck with just the reefed jib for the reach down into Kent
Narrows to Castle Marina where slips were waiting. Seas were slightly abaft the
beam and rough, with swells starting at a couple of feet, but building somewhat
higher as the day went on. The wind was hardly steady, but averaged around
twenty knots and gusted a lot higher, driving from the northwest. The sky was
overcast and the water looked muddy brown with occasional lighter patches where
the clouds broke and the sun came through. Off of Rock Hall, Legacy
surged past Silver Lining, looking like she had a little more sail up
than was efficient. Silver Lining’s crew didn’t feel inspired to put up
more to compete.
Legacy was first to the anchorage again, and took a few minutes to
explore the inner harbor at the north end of Gibson Island, finding a sandbar
and a lot of moorings, so no room to anchor. They returned to the usual large
anchorage, which was somewhat crowded with, we assumed, Father’s Day revelers.
Legacy was finishing anchoring when Silver Lining arrived, and
shortly Bob waved Mia in to tie up on port. As crews were passing and securing
lines, a shout from a third boat got everyone’s attention: Legacy: Bob Rainey (Skipper), Hank Jelinek (First Mate), Beth Jelinek, Mary Ann Gordon, Virginia Malik, Mary Wojchik
Photo Contributors: Craig Gill, Mary Ann Gordon, Ilene Greenfield, Mia McCroskey |
Please use your web browser's Back button to return to the previous page