First, did an early morning paddle with my daughter. But I really wanted to go sailing, and so did the family although it was not perfect conditions!. Winds were out of the SW 10-15 and gusting to 20. Langford Creek was choppy with whitecaps galore, so we reefed both the head and mainsail, and we headed up the West fork of the creek instead of trying to fight the winds and the waves and head to the Chester (which looked even sloppier and messier than Langford creek. Had a nice sail, winds were much more subdued, although we kept the reefs in. After a couple hours of sailing, we anchored in the cove just west of Island point and put out the nettle net. After a nice refreshing swim, we decided just to motor back to the marina (nap time) as the winds were still kicking.
Century Club: Tom Dean
Early morning paddle in Davis Creek
Many people know that I solo sail quite a bit in my Pearson 35 - and I have found many people are hesitant to solo sail - not because they can’t handle the boat, but because it can be hard getting in and out of the dock. Since my friend - former band director I worked with at MPHS has been on my boat and has watched me basically take it in and out by myself, he asked if I would stop by and help him make a plan so he could do the same - so I headed up to Skipjack Cove on the Sassafras and worked with him, made suggestions, rode in and out with him, talking him through the procedures and making the really bullet proof so that he could be a comfortable solo sailor like me. Things worked out well - and he has begun taking his own sailboat - smaller, Macgregor sailboat - 27’ or so in length. A fun day, and a challenging day. It’s always fun sailing on a smaller sailboat, although not as comfortable as Bubbles!
Did an early morning paddle with my daughter - me in a SUP and she in a kayak. This time we headed down down Davis Creek. It was an easy paddle to start - with both the wind and waves pushing us nicely… but it was a nightmare coming back! Couldn’t stop to rest or even grab a drink as the wind and waves would turn you completely around and you would give up all the ground you made! Since I knew the wind and wave direction, and was carefully looking at the water, I was able to get myself to a calm area blocked by trees… hoping my daughter would follow, but she didn’t and really struggled. Took us longer than our normal morning paddle, but was a nice workout!
Two friends came down for a sail - both are Band Directors, one I worked with at Mount Pleasant High School and one that I know through him. Not a whole lot of wind, but we were moving pretty good. Sailed up the Chester past Conquest Beach before turning back around. Lost some wind about 2:30, but it picked up again and we were able to sail all the way back up Langford creek to the marina. I pretty much manned the lines and let them take turns at the helm. Nice day sailing with experienced sailors and sharing stories and ideas!
Started off the day with a wonderful early morning paddle from the marina out and around cacaway island with my daughter then went for a morning sail with first mate, daughter, her husband and my grandson. Sailed out of the marina, down Langford creek to the Chester river. Daughter helped raised the sails, and had the full crew working the lines while I manned the helm. Son in law had a fishing line off the back, but no luck with that. Had to come back in for nap time, but a lovely morning to early afternoon sail!
Well, there was some wind today - several friends went out, but I had some family obligations, so my daughter and I got up early and went out paddling around Davis Creek at 6am before heading off to visit family. Upon our return, I went out again and paddled out Davis Creek into Langford Creek along the western shore for a while.... just to relax and wind down. Hopefully tomorrow there will be wind!!
Went for an early morning kayak ride with my daughter. Wanted to do SUP, but the paddle was missing, so I got out the second kayak. Before taking off, we searched the marina - and found the paddle! Then we took off for Cacaway Island. Had to dodge a few crabbers, but really had very still water - very little rain, but a bit of fog (7:30 am) that eventually burned off. Had a lovely, albeit, warm paddle - saw a beautiful blue heron and a bunch of black ducks. Glad we did this early as it was a rather hot and humid day!
Not much wind in the forecast - 5 knots or less out of the south.... and a rather steamy day, so my daughter and i paddled (I SUP and she kayak) all the way to the head of Davis creek. Was a lovely paddle, saw a bunch of wildlife. Had to dodge a few boats, but really a nice time out on the water!
The daughter decided that she wanted to see multiple fireworks - so we decided Rock Hall on the 3rd and Chestertown on the 4th. Headed out early - 9am on the 3rd for Swan Creek. Sunny 78 - 86 degrees. Winds were out of the south - so we motored down to Kent Island and when we made the turn towards love point, we raised the sail - although everything died soon thereafter. Arrived in Swan Creek about 3PM and picked up a mooring ball at Haven Harbour. Family joined us - dinghied in to get them - and we headed out after dinner to watch the fireworks from around the mouth of Swan Creek ... MISTAKE!! By the time we got out there - the wind was really kicking up - probably 2 to 3 foot swells. Got the anchor down and secure in about 10 feet of water.... watched the fireworks and then had a hell of a time getting that anchor back up! Finally got it up, mototored back to our mooring ball - took the family back to the dock and finally got to sleep about 1 am.
The next morning - the 4th - up early - left Swan Creek about 9:30 with a temperature of 78 and barometer at 29.8. Winds were light out of the west - but several storms came up - and we took advantage of the aftermath of the storms to raise the sails for a whil, before things dropped off again. Made Chestertown by 4 - and anchored near the cable crossing. Evidently, a catamaran took offense to us anchoring too close and pulled up and moved down a bit- yelling at us that we were too close (I left three boat lengths between us!). I was ticketed to see all of the small boats anchoring right next to them for the fireworks - especially happy that some were setting off fireworks in their direction!! Fireworks were wonderful (again, used dinghy to pick up family and ferry them back)
The morning of the 5th, we pulled anchor at 9 am for the journey back to the marina. Winds were almost non-existentent for the entire journey - but we did manage to get the sails up right past conquest beach. Warm day - 78 - 86, Got back to slip a little after noon! Fun fireworks journey!
Well, not a whole lot of wind, but enough to get the genoa out and sail a bit. We then stopped at Cacaway Island and told the dinghy over - but the DNR police came by and kicked us off (private island). We sailed down Langford Creek a ways, dropped some fishing lines and had some fun trolling and then anchoring to fish. Son in law caught a spot!