Memorial Day 2008 - Life is Good

For the past few years, we have held a Raft-up for the Memorial Day weekend. That pattern was broken this year as several of the Brothers were out on the high seas for the weekend. Knowing that, Brother Pilot decided to move his sponsored Tip-a-Few to the last weekend of the month when more of the Tables members could meet. So this weekend was ad-hoc: whoever, whenever and wherever!

For my Captive/First Mate/Galley Wench/Wife/Partner (she is all of those things!) and me, the weekend started in the afternoon on Friday as we left the slip headed for Mobjack Bay. Because we expected to meet some others in the fleet on Saturday, we decided to spend Friday night in the Severn River, near Schoolhouse Point. The sun set shortly after we settled the anchor in but, as often happens around the Summer Solstice, the sky stayed lit well after sunset. Only two other boats made anchor near us. One of the two was an express cruiser style motorboat, a type of boat not normally seen at anchor for the night.

We slept late, had a casual breakfast, weighed the anchor and hoisted the sails for a relaxed sail eight or ten miles away in the East River, also off of Mobjack Bay. Along the way, the marine radio cackled with the noise of the weekend cruising crowd hailing each other in anticipation of the holiday anchorage. It seems most of them were also headed for the East River.

As we pulled into the mouth of the river from the west, we fell in behind Pilot & Francine who had just come up from the south. The sleepy river was already active with visiting cruisers. After passing Williams Wharf, it was apparent that the river would be full for the evening. This is no small feat. By early evening four boats from the Chesapeake Table were assembled near Green "17." Some friends who lived on the river stopped to say hello and informed us that they had counted 89 visiting boats at anchor for the night! After the sun set, anchor lights illuminated the river adding another star field to the one above. Food and rhum were plentiful. We all toasted our privilege and our friendship. The beginning of summer was already bearing fruit.

Everyone moved slowly the next morning. There was no need to do otherwise. After consulting the weather oracle, we decided to move the fleet down the Bay while the winds were out of the north. Strong southerly winds were predicted for the Bay on Monday. Everyone felt being closer to home would be advantageous. (Capt.) Rocket Boy would be joining the rest of the fleet for the evening's anchorage in Back River. The wind kicked up from the northeast as we formed the raft. It opposed the current and the resulting chop rocked us until it clocked around to the southeast toward sunset. We felt we could live with it. As usual, a good meal and spirits brought the day to a perfect conclusion.

Sometime during the night, the wind kicked up from the southwest. We all awoke to the boats creaking and rocking with the wind. We were open to a long fetch from the Air Force Base. The wind and current were again in opposition and the ride was bumpy and uncomfortable. We cobbled meals together and made our boats ready. The raft broke down before 10 AM and the happy crews headed toward their home ports. It hadn't been an official Brotherhood event, but we were happy.

Life is good.

Brotherhood Business

Even the hard working, fun loving and somewhat brutal buccaneers of centuries ago had to occasionally stand down to discuss the business of their exploits: what would be the standard booty portion; who would be the Captain, Quartermaster, Boson, and other supervisory positions; what booty portion would they receive; and other questions pertaining to the business at hand - however nefarious that may have been.


Just as then, we have gathered twice in recent weeks to discuss the business of our Table. After the first gathering aboard the good ship ORZA, several of the brothers determined that too much (demon) rum and other spirits had been consumed before the business of the day had been discussed. After sobering, many found themselves unhappy about the decision.

Another meeting was called for May 6th when all the brothers who could, again assembled aboard ORZA. Unlike the first meeting, Brother Limey had returned from his far ranging excursions. His wisdom is revered by the rest of the crew and we welcomed his input to the dilemma at hand. Cruz's gracious Captive, Ann, had again provided a meal fit for hungry marauders! The Captain called everyone's attention to the evils of liquid spirits and implored his crew to subdue their urges until business had been discussed. We talked, we decided and then we drank. It was a good meeting.

April 26th Chesapeake Bay Table Tip-a-Few / Boucan

[nota bene: this entry was written by El Maestro and posted by Upwind]

Friday morning finds El Maestro in the kitchen blending various herbs and spices into a piquant concoction frequently referred to as “Mark’s Magic Butt Rub”, although it does have many other applications such as a hangover therapy poultice and solid rocket motor propellant. After vigorously massaging the butts in question with this spicy mixture they found themselves perched upon a metal grate being gently infused with the smoke of smoldering Hickory for many hours. The following day, in anticipation of consumption by a hearty bunch of sea loving souls, the meat just seemed to fall off of the bones only to be dampened with a flavorful sauce and scooped onto a plate alongside a pasta salad and coleslaw. Oh to be such a beloved butt.

It could not have been a finer day to have a Brotherhood of the Coast gathering. We were thankful for the presence of brothers: Piper, Upwind, Blue Stache & Sook Diana, Cruz & Sook Ann, El Maestro & Sook AJ, as well as guest Dan Scolaro and his lovely bride Jackie. The afternoon sky was clear with a warm breeze blowing across the pond, our local forecast warned of pending afternoon thundershowers but Aeolus was kept at bay until the late evening hours.

We enjoyed wonderful food and fellowship interspersed with a bit of storytelling and frivolity, no doubt inspired by blessings from Hoti, the patron saint of bartenders. We learned of Hoti’s presence from the literature and medallion attached to a bottle of Pyrat XO Reserve, a most wonderful and incredibly smooth cane based beverage that everyone seemed to take pleasure in consuming.

Sadly we missed many of our brothers due to travel and work schedules as well as the annual Trailer Trash Zaf being hosted by our Brothers in Texas. We did however fire a broadside in their honor and sent forth our best wishes and thoughts for them.

Thanks to all who attended, we enjoyed the day tremendously.

ORZA – El Maestro