Beautiful morning for a paddle. As I left Crab Creek to the South River, I noticed an osprey building a nest. Right on top of the canvas cover on a Sea Ray. Someone is not going to be happy when the owner tries to take the boat out for a spin. Who will win?
Century Club: Eva Hill
Saturday, April 20, 2024 to Sunday, April 21, 2024
Number of days:
2 days
It wasn't the loveliest of weekends, but perfection is so overrated. Saturday was gorgeous, if a little cool. We got in a good sail, with plenty of wind and making over 7 kts at times; there weren't many boats out. We didn't go far for the night -- Mill Creek off Whitehall Bay -- and we had it to ourselves. Once at anchor, we caught some big gusts, but all calmed down overnight.
Sunday was grey and not very windy. Pulling up the anchor was an adventure, as Rick pulled up a veritable salad of seaweed, turning this into a 15 minute operation. We caught the 10:30 bridge. Rick is now dealing with some electrical issues. It's a boat - something always goes.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
I seem to be getting in a groove of paddling every other day, as long as weather permits. Since I injured my Achilles playing tennis 6 months ago, this has been my primary mode of exercise (a few months ago, I couldn't even do that, since I could barely manage the walk down to the kayak dock). But now that I'm almost ready to get back on court (despite the false starts in February in Florida), I hope I can keep this up too.
Crab Creek crawl today. Dead calm, with a little mist.
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
In the dim hope of maybe going out overnight over the weekend, it was time to move all of our stuff back on board. Making up berths, stowing towels and clothes, taking inventory of what needs to be supplied and replaced, refilling drinking water, etc. etc. Lots of sneezing from the dust and pollen, but now we're ready to sail away!
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
I guess the good wildlife comes out on Sunday. On Sunday, I saw eagles, great blue herons, and a giant turtle (very nearly smacked it in the head with my paddle). Today, just osprey. I'll take it all. Weekday mornings on the water are the best. Paddled from Crab Creek to Church Creek and back.
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Why does it always feel like you're going upwind or up-current? Crab Creek crawl today.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Today, the weather cooperated, with rain holding off and light winds. A perfect day to move newly-splached Calypso from Bert Jabin's to her home on A-dock at AYC (you can see her from the Spa Creek Bridge; you can't miss her -- she is red!) Since I forget everything I learned about docking in one of the tighter slips in the marina over the winter, it helps to have kind conditions to get back up to speed.
Let the season begin!
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Crab Creek Crawl, sneezing all the way.
Monday, April 8, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
It's starting. The surface of the water is covered with rings of green-yellow pollen, and it's only a matter of time before every flat surface in the region is similarly covered. Bring your Kleenex! I sniffled all the way from Crab Creek to Little Aberdeen Creek. Still, it was much nicer that freezing my buns off in College Park to watch my nephew, Terps 2B, Sam Hojnar, play against Indiana on Friday night.
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Number of days:
1 day
Thanks to Rick's expert ministrations with fiberglass, my kayak is now patched and I went back out on the water. Baby steps -- I stayed in Crab Creek today. Not only was it cold today, but the water is full of gunk after 3 straight days of rain; had the patch not held, it would have been ugly. Fortunately, all is well.