The fleet of three Brotherhood boats - Fresh Air, Talisman and Tardis - along with guest boat, No Problem, leave Hampton Roads just after dawn. Strong NW winds persisted from a front that crossed the area on Wednesday. We took a course heading of 30° (magnetic) which kept us from pounding the waves and allowed for some sail power.
Our destination was the Ingram Bay area, a 60 nm run from Hampton Roads. We spent most of the day slogging to the NE in 3 - 4 foot waves. Then, around 2PM, the wind died, the seas calmed and we took a direct heading to Cockrell Creek (Reedville) where Shanty was waiting for us to arrive.
We arrived in Reedville around 5PM. Talisman transferred Shanty's Captive to her Captain. Bui and Upwind set about to some hatch maintenance on Talisman while the Ladies worked up the dinner plans. No Problem had clogged fuel filter problems during the day and joined the raft after dark. There were still left-overs waiting when they arrived after 7PM.DAY 2 (Oct. 9, 2009):
While at anchor, the winds shifted to the SW and had continued to build overnight. We broke the raft down in record time (under five minutes) and had four sailing vessels leaving in a line just before 9AM (Tardus had stayed with friends up the Great Wicomico River but came through to check on us).
As we left Cockrell Creek, it became apparent just how strong the SW winds were: 15 -20 knts with gusts up to 25 knts. It would be another day at the wheel. As we made the turn north, some adjustments had to be made as a number of the boats rounded into the strong gusts. Shortly thereafter, everyone but No Problem had balanced their rigs for the day's conditions. No Problem couldn't seem to find a good balance and ended up turning back toward Reedville as the rest of the fleet progressed north.
The gusty conditions lessened as we crossed the wide mouth of the Potomac River. By early afternoon we were crawling along slowly with 6-8 knt winds. While it was nice to let the auto pilot take the helm for a while, we weren't making good speed to our destination for the day: the Pawtuxent River. The motors came on briefly before the winds reestablished themselves. The fleet arrived in Solomon's in late afternoon. We were made welcome by the Brothers of the Solomon's Table.
After freshening up, everyone met at the beautiful home of Brother Easy for a dinner of oysters, crab soup and chili. We were a bit worn from two days of pushing hard up the Bay but were happy to be in the company of our brethren in the mid Chesapeake Bay region.Day 3: (Oct 10, 2009)
After pushing hard for two days, we took the opportunity to sleep in and relax. A late breakfast, washing salt off the boat and, generally, taking stock for the next leg of the trip on Sunday. In the early afternoon, the crews of Talisman and Fresh Air took their dinghies over to the Calvert Marine Museum for the Patuxent River Appreciation Day festivities. Free admission to the museum and with Arts & Crafts Vendors as well as food & music. We watched and were fascinated by the speed and grace of the two River Otters. It was a good day for soaking up the culture and the nautical history of the Patuxent River area.
Then it was back to the boat to get ready for the main event of the evening: the introduction of the Solomons Table's first Engages!
[nota bene: Details of the engage introduction, "Debutantes", and continuation of the Autumn Bay Cruise can be found is subsequent post]
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