Century Club: Mick Meckler

Dennis, a life long sailor moved away from the Chesapeake Bay a few years ago but since we keep in touch he has found a way to sail with me for a few days. Last year we went to Deltaville and back. This time, Rich and he came along for a week long adventure around the middle bay. 

Parkside to Dobbins Island: We got off to a late start and hit rain out in the bay. We motored through the cut to save time and eventually anchored in the dark around Dobbins Island where I normally would stay. Rich brought a taco dinner that we heated in a pan and oven. Bed was around midnight. 

Dobbins Island to Selby Bay: I was up at 8 but Rich was up already - since 5 am. We had coffee, danish and cereal for breakfast. Another JSO member called and invited us to visit them in the South River so we headed out is light winds from the NW. We sailed around a bit and then headed into the South River up to Selby Bay. We met Bob and Julie for appetizers and then later had Rich's famous chili and bread for dinner. Another boaters midnight as everyone was tired. 

Selby Bay to Dividing Creek: Up early, but not before Rich, with coffee and eggs and Taylor pork roll and english muffins for breakfast. Showers at the marina and finally underway by 11. Winds were 5-7 from the NE but we had plans to travel a distance so we motored across the bay up Eastern Bay. We called CBMM for a slip but they were full so we decided to go up the Wye river to Dividing Creek based on Riches experience of having a grand time there in previous years.  It was a very quiet anchorage and we all relaxed, had dinner, and retired for the evening. 

Dividing Creek to St. Michaels CBMM:  Up to a breakfast of steak and eggs then underway for a little exploring of the Wye River before heading to St Michaels. We waited a bit for the slip and then docked nicely in C-4 by the light house. We relaxed a bit before going out to dinner at an Italian place following a short walk around town. Boaters Midnight again. 

St. Michaels to Reed Creek on the Chester River: Up early and a quick visit to the museum after breakfast. We motored up the Miles River through Kent Narrows and finally had a spiritedly sail in the Chester River on winds from the NW 13-15. Temps were in the mid 60's on a sunny day. We tacked up the river to Reed creek where we dropped the sails and motored into the creek as the only boat there. Dinner of Port, potato salad and salad before bed. 

Reed Creek to Rock Hall Landing: Once out of Reed Creek Dennis took the helm and tacked his way down the river in strong SW winds of 15-18 knots with gusts over 20. At the bottom of the river we ended up on a run all the way into Rock Hall Landing having a calm lunch on the way. After arrival we cleaned up and had some drinks before walking into town for dinner at the Bay Wolf Restaurant. Bill was in town so he agreed to give us a lift back to the boat. We sat in the cockpit watching the sunset with drinks and good conversation. Finally all to bed. 

Rock Hall to Parkside: Up at 7:15 after a bumpy night. A simple breakfast of cereal and english muffins. The wind was pushing us upon the pier so we sprung off and motored out the center. Rich was driving as we headed towards the swam point cut - no issues transiting. Rich sailed across the bay towards 355 degrees. Great sail with no issues. We sailed into Middle River and finally dropped the sails and motored to Long Beach for a pump out and fuel. Back to the slip and docked. Dennis and Rich cleared out their stuff and we split up the bills. 

Days: 7    Days to date: 70

Miles: 146   Miles to date: 1416.5

Marty and I both needed to have the holding tanks emptied so we drove each others boat there and back. Winds were from the SE 4-6 on a cloudy day with temps of 71. Not much excitement - which is good. We did take the opportunity to motor around Frog Mortar Creek and out into Middle River. 

Days: 1  Days to date: 62

Miles: 6.6  Miles to date: 1268.6

Sue was at the helm and we sailed out of the slip - no engine at all. First for us. It was a continuous sail all the way out of Middle River and past Hart-Miller Island where we headed on a broad reach all the way to The Magothy River. We motored up to Dobbins Island where there were 3 other sailboats and 4 powerboats. After anchoring we deployed the dinghy to explore behind Dobbins Island and the creeks up to the Horse Farm. We met up with Suzanne and Dobbs in Cornfield Creek and chatted with wine and cheese. Back on our boat we had appetizers watching the sunset and then pulled pork for dinner. We took the chill out of the air down below using our propane heater 'Buddy'. Of course it was turned off when we went to bed. 

Even though the winds were strong it was a calm night. Temps were in the low 60's with a sunny sky and winds from the N/NE 12-16 gusting to 20+, After breakfast of sausage sandwiches and coffee we took another dinghy expedition going behind 'Little' Dobbins Island and the creeks available. Finally around noon we headed back to the boat and stowed the dinghy and engine. We motored out of the river and then raised the sails at the mouth and headed north. We sailed across the bay towards Rock Hall until we could tack north and eventually the wind kept shifting east so we were able to sail all the way to the Pleasant Island cut without tacking again. We sailed through the first half of the cut but had to motor the second half as it was into the wind Then we dropped the sails in Hawk Cove and motored home. 

Days: 2  Days to date: 58

Miles: 52.7  Miles to date: 1193.3

Sue drove out of the slip as we headed out on a buddy boat trip with Marty and Stephanie.  With easterly winds 10-12 I raised the genoa at Maryland Marina and the mainsail at Long Beach marina. We tacked our way out of Middle River past Hart-Miller Island and headed towards Rock Hall. After crossing the bay we tacked north at Tolechester and on a close haul all the way north of Still Pond when we tacked again for the final time into the anchorage. I took a short swim, showered and got ready for guests. Around 6 pm Marty and Stephanie came over with drinks and appetizers. We ate and chatted before we grilled the shrimp with rice pilaf and salad. For desert we had peach cobbler and ice cream. We continued with great conversations until they retired to their boat around 9:30. It was boaters midnight for us. 

Up to gentle winds from the NE and had coffee watching the world around Still Pond. After breakfast of sausage and eggs we planned out the day. First a call to Rock Hall Landing to reserve a slip for the evening and then raised the anchor to get underway. We motor sailed most of the way along with the current so it was a quick transit. We relaxed and watched a blue heron patiently hunt for his lunch. We called Waterman's for crabs but they said they don't allow take out anymore for crabs. So I asked Chris from Rock Hall Landing what to do and he recommended Fords - in Rock Hall. I borrowed a bike and rode to get them. They were very good and much less expensive than Waterman's. So now we have a new place to get crabs. This was a late lunch early dinner so we relaxed in the cockpit until Bill came over for drinks and conversation. After he left we went down below and turned in for the evening. 

Up early to watch nature and have breakfast. Finally got underway and headed out to the bay. I raised the jib and sailed through the cut and across the bay with a reefed jib and main as winds were from the N at 10-14 with gusts to 20. We were headed to Pleasure Island Cut and sailed through it. Once behind Hart-Miller Island we dropped the sails and motored home with a stop at Maryland Marina for a successful pump out and then and ok docking in our slip. Sue headed home but I stayed as I had chores to do. 

Days: 3  Days to date: 54

Miles: 68.4  Miles to date: 1109.5