Took off a bit before sunset into 5-7 mph from the WNW in 68 degree weather, and had a wonderful time. Chatted over a dock with a neightbor who had just managed to get her mainsail and jib onto their furlers for the very first time, which is an exciting time for any sailor. Pushed on up Valentine creek toward its headwaters, into the wind, which had some substantial gustsl. Watched the sun set and then on my wayback downwind happened to look up and see a full moon rising. No boats about, and the only night noises were from a spirited volleyball game at Arden's nearby beach. Wonderful spring evening a perfect time for kayaking -- which brought me to five straight days on the water!
Century Club: Richard Turman
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
A storm came through about 5 pm, and after the front passed, I took the Sunfish out into a very gusty northerly, onto Valentine Creek off the Severn River. Had some really glorious rides upwind. Dinghy sailing is so exhilerating compared to larger keelboats, since the accleration from a puff is so immediate, and one's constant leaning in and out keeps things in control. Such fun, and so glad sailing is back in my life after the cold months of October, November, December, January, February, and March -- since I sold my keelboat in September and had to wait for everything to warm up before venturing out on my Sunfish. Glorious runs right to the end, when I had such a puff that it drove me so fast downind that it pushed us right up the beach. Fantastic!
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Was able get out at 6 pm instead of 6:45 like the previous night, so had more time to really sail on the Severn and out into the middle of Round Bay on 5-8 knots of breeze on a South wind in the low 70's. Fantastic to really 'stretch my legs' and get the Sunfish up on the wind. Beautiful evening.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Light warm wind from the South in the 6-8 range provided a great reason to get out on the Sunfish for the first time this season. Had to scull from our home on Valentine Creek about 200 yards to the Severn, but once there, found great wind and had a fine evening of it.
Monday, April 11, 2022
Number of days:
1 day
Great to have 'shorts weather' again, bringing with it the chance to get out on the kayak for the first time in April.
Friday, March 11, 2022 to Sunday, March 13, 2022
Number of days:
3 days
Took my kayak out once each in January and February and March when the air temp was above 50, in the late afternoons. In one case I had a zoom call but just took it from the kayak and turned off the video, since it was such a treat to have warm-ish weather and an opportunity to get out on the water!
Friday, December 31, 2021
Number of days:
1 day
Was lucky that it reached an unseasonably warm 55 degrees today, with light winds, so I could take the kayak out for one last trip this calendar year, to which in many way we get to say 'good riddance.'
Light, 5 mph winds from the SW left Valentine Creek pretty calm at 4:30 p.m., as the sun was preparing to set. Didn't see a single power or sailboat out on the water during the 50 minutes I was out, which was wonderful. Did see one fisherman on a kayak, but that was it. One of my very few kayak trips this year without seeing any heron; saw a flock of Canada geese on someone's lawn, but that was about it for waterfowl. With the water temp around 50, and not wearing a dry suit, I stayed within 50-75 feet of land, to give me a fighting chance to make it to shore. With the tide about a foot above normal, I could explore further back into the headwaters of Valentine Creek than i usually can, in several cases becoming completely surrounded by tall reeds as I ventured further and further up the creek. Wonderfully quiet night, with the only noise coming from my paddleblades rhythmically dipping into the water. Enjoyed watching as various holiday lights turned on as I paddled, with various trees, Santas, and boats all outlined with lights, including a sunfish made to look like a tree.. Marvelous evening, and fitting end to 2021.
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Number of days:
1 day
Had to remove the drain plug from my powerboat, which has been winterized and is up on a lift, and the only way to do that is via kayak.
With light winds and over 50-degree weather and the water still at 49 degrees, felt like a good opportunity to actually kayak around the neighborhood, so went to the headwaters of Valentine Creek and looped back around to the entrance of Plum Creek and thence home. Great to exercise my kayak muscles again, after some time off. And to re-acquaint myself with the herons out there. No boats, power or sail, out at all. You can tell its nearly winter.
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Number of days:
1 day
With weather approaching 70 degrees, just had to duck out of zoom calls a bit early and get out on the kayak. So wonderful to be able to do so in light winds and shirt-sleeve weather. Great chance to enjoy the evening, and realize that on Wednesdays not that long past I was racing at that time...
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Number of days:
1 day
With weather approaching 70 degrees, I just had to duck out of work early and take out the kayak. Nothing like paddling in shirt sleeves in mid-November, relishing every minute of it! A great way to mark my 100th day on the water this year.