Century Club: Cheryl Duvall

As fall approaches, the number of tours on the Harbor Queen begins decreasing. Today was my shortest shift yet, with just 4 hours underway, not including setting up and closing the HQ. With fewer passengers, we had time to make some improvements. I numbered the crews' work vests.

I was excited to show off the Chesapeake Bay to my Long Island friend Cordelia. In January, we made plans for her to cruise with me for a week in September, after I spent a week on her boat in Long Island Sound in June. And the weather cooperated, both times, though the winds could have been a tad better, but alas, sailors are used to that.

I proposed that we begin our week sailing to St. Michaels for a two-night stay at the CBMM, and then decide from there. We left for St. Michaels at 1123 and arrived at 1645 with more than 3.5 hours of pure saiing, and more than 2 of those hours had all three sails out with some upwind sailing. She loved St. Michaels, with shopping, dining (Ava's and the Bistro), CBMM exhibits, a bike ride to Bellevue, a ride on the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry, and biking in Oxford. From there we motorsailed to Shaw Bay (Wye River) for a peaceful anchorage. With light winds from E and S, we motored and then sailed to Annapolis, hoping to grab a mooring ball, but alas the Songwriters Festival was in full swing and no balls remained. So we anchored in a new-to-me cove just after the Navy Bridge (Rt. 450). We dinghied to town, ate at Pussers, and walked Main Street and the circles before returning at dusk. The bridge was so beautiful with its lights at night! The next day we motored up the Severn before turning around to sail to the Rhode River. After anchoring, we hiked 3 miles on SERC trails. The anchorage was its usual peaceful bliss. Finally, we sailed back to SBYC on Day 6, and had all three sails out again for more than half the trip. Cordelia marveled at the variety of experiences the Chesapeake Bay offers in such a short distance and timeframe, compared to Long Island Sound waters. It was so fun to watch her appreciate the waters I call home.

On my fifth day on the Harbor Queen, I realized I'm becoming more comfortable with my duties, without having to consult the checklist. Progress!

I've always wanted to attend the CBMM boat auction over Labor Day weekend, and it finally happened. The weather was splendid all four days, and the winds even cooperated for a change. It's always tough to sail ALL the way to St. Michaels, since we leave the South River heading SE, then turn up the Eastern River heading NE, and then turn down again heading SE. Winds were ENE on 8/29 and SW on 9/1, but we still managed to sail for two hours each day. The boat auction took place on Saturday, and the museum raised over $160K. There were some amazing good deals. We only bought PFDs for our grandkids, but those were a good deal too.

And the Lady Sarah docked at the CBMM for a few hours (A Day on the Bay tour), so I got to say hello to some work colleagues!