A building breeze in the afternoon moved me right along on a broad reach. Rounding the Poquosin Flats towards my destination I took advantage of a brief break between gusts to put in one reef. I'm glad I did because when the gusts returned they were stronger. I'd rather trade a knot or two for comfortable cruising. Making 6 knots on a close reach is fine by me.
I anchored on Claxton Creek on the south side of the channel and about 500 feet from the beach. Great spot. Quiet and just a short paddle to walk the beach.
Returning home the following evening the winds were gusting to over 20 knots and a bad direction for docking my boat, so I spent the night anchored 1,000 from the marina. In the morning while not calm, things were much more managable...