Dark clouds coming in!
Duck
Lovely sunset
Another lovely sunset
Pirate Boat!
Decided to go off on a little trip - no agenda, no real destination... wherever the wind lent itself is where I was heading. Got to the marina a bit later than I wanted on the 15th - had to provision for not only the four days, but also the weekend... which took time. Pulled out of the marina at 11:45am under partly sunny skies, temp of 83 and barometric pressure at 29.77. Winds were out of the South 5-10. Meandered my way down the Chester and was just outside of Queenstown Harbor where I would normally turn to head over towards Love Point when the weather (and the sky) indicated that bad things were coming. Thinking about possibilities for anchorage or safe areas and knowing there was none, I turned and headed back up to find an area to hide out from the storm. Got sails down and prepped for what was going to be bad... and it was. Upon reflection, should have anchored, but instead kept moving and when the storm hit - motored into the wind.. just enough to keep me safe. The Bimini suffered some tears, but otherwise everything ok. Went back to the marina, repaired the Bimini and got ready to leave the next day.
Day 2 - Got out at 9:45 - still no idea where I would be headed. Partly cloudy, winds out of the WNW at 5-10, but diminishing as the day went on. Started out 76 degrees, got up to 83. Made it down to outside of Kent Narrows in good fashion, but only averaging about 4 knots or so, and then because of wind speed and direction, had to turn on the engine. Winds never picked up so outside of Love Point, made the decision to go to Swan Creek as it was the closest. Got into Swan creek and anchored in the normal area - there was a trawler, catamaran and another sailboat there also. Dropped anchor and had a very nice, but warm night!
Day 3 - Pretty much a chore day and then a kayak day since there was little to no wind. Kayaked all around Swan Creek - down by the marinas and further up the creek. Found all of the dinghy docs and other places that a tender could be put ashore! Very rocky and windy anchorage overnight - winds picked up mightily, but the anchor held!!
Day 4 - There were calling for W winds 10-15 with gusts to 25 and seas 2 feet - and they weren't kidding. Had at least that - except the wind seemed more from the WNW than just west. Got the Main up at anchor because didn't want to be out on the deck in what was predicted. Engine off right outside of swan creek - and rocked and rolled all the way down into the Chester. Decided to furl in my headsail outside of Kent Island (was going almost dead downwind) and got it wrapped on top of itself - so when I turned to go up the Chester - really into the wind (winds were really out of the NW at this point) had to motor the rest of the way, but easily fixed the headsail at the dock.
Wonderful little outing - a bit of everything... Storms, Light Winds, No Wind, and Heavy weather. Fun, challenging, and engaging!