Out in the river
Out with Michael and my friend Lelia from college today for the SMSA Beer & Soda Run. The event is a fun race that consists of a race around the river, with a visit to the "store" and points for sodas & other beverages drank. Light conditions in the narrows at the start remained flukey through the harbor portion of the race. We worked on making good progress up to the "store", and found better breeze on the way back out. After a small mishap at the mouth of the harbor we got going well and enjoyed some nice long tacks on the river. We briefly set and carried a spin on one of the reaching legs, and enjoyed a fast, tight reach on the way into the harbor. After getting just about swallowed by a powerboat wake we found light conditions to the finish. A properly fun day on the water, and we took a win for the day.
After a great cookout lunch at the club, we set off on the Barba Roja for an afternoon fun sail. We anchored in the river and had a great swim call for about an hour, and did many halyard swings and dives off the boat. Afterwards, we set a spinnaker and had a quick run up to the bridge, and a comfortable beat back to the harbor.
One of the truly great days on the water that only come a few times a season, and I was glad to be able to share it with great friends from different parts of my life.