The Gathering After the Keys

[nota bene: this entry was written by Blue Stache and posted by Upwind]

The Chesapeake Brothers would not be denied!!!! On February 28th, the monthly Tip-A-Few took place back in old haunts – O’Sullivan’s Wharf. There were 14 Brothers, Sooks, Engage & partners in attendance – 9 of whom had just returned from another fabulous President’s Day Zaf in the Keys – well done down there folks!!!

Limey & Holly were still out putting miles under their keel, Boats & Tricia were ‘toasting' us from St. Martin, Piper was serving the public at the fire station, and Pilot & Francine were most likely suffering jet-lag from their recent travels – they were missed but not forgotten.

With many pitchers of the golden nectar, glasses of wine, trays of nachos, Chesapeake Bay wings, oysters Rockefeller, and warm hushpuppies, it was a great time to ‘catch-up’ with each other – and swap boat plans for the season which appears to be fast approaching. It seems that all of our vessels will be back on the Bay by early summer. When the check came, even that was a pleasant surprise – it was nice to revisit the home of some of this Table’s first Tip-A-Few gatherings. And best yet, it was just good to spend some time with our Brothers.

Our March Tip-A-Few is already scheduled and highly anticipated!!

President's Day Zaf (2008) - Part 3

I started things off well...making daily entries into the blog for the first two days of our excursion to Marathon Key. Then it ended. Perhaps I succumbed to the libations of the event and lost my focus. Maybe I was just too relaxed to care. I suspect it was somewhere in between. In any case, I wanted to return to the blog and complete the weekend before the memories fade into the din of winter memories.

The blessings of a large boat: We were all warmed up and, through the use of strategically placed name tags, refreshed on each others names. The Marathon brothers had an afternoon picnic planned for Saturday afternoon. With the exception of some of the host Table's brothers, transportation was to be by water. There was a slight problem: the Zaf was so well attended that the local brothers didn't have the necessary capacity to transport everyone. Fortunately, Orza, the exceptional power cat from the Chesapeake Table was known to be cruising in the south Florida area and had been confirmed for the weekend. With a small amount of arm twisting - and, I suspect, some libations - the Marathon brothers persuaded Cruz to press his vessel into service for the afternoon. Cruz and Ann were the perfect hosts and everyone enjoyed the ride.

An afternoon picnic (with no beer): With the majority of brothers and captives on Orza three vessels, including Golden I and Tee Time left Marathon headed southwestward to Bahia Honda State Park. When Orza gets weighted down, she can't always get up on a plane. This slows things down considerably. Golden I got out in front of everyone at +30 knots. Tee Time wasn't far behind but Orza was. The smaller boats got to the park's boat basin well ahead of Orza. It was probably better timed that way as they were able to disembark their crews who were able to explore and help set up the reserved pavilions.

Ever the reliable boat, Orza arrived about an hour later. Golden I was pressed into ferry service as the meat hit the grill. The zaf participants gathered lined up for food. Snapper King had a hard time keeping up with demand but, eventually, everyone was fed. Because of park regulations, no beer or alcoholic beverages were allowed in the park. Those of us that arrived on the smaller boats suspected that Orza's late arrival may have been planned to allow everyone aboard to get their fill before arriving. It remains a controversy.

The restriction on alcoholic beverages was about the only negative aspect of the afternoon. Those of us from the northern latitudes were thankful for the breezy summer afternoon. The water was warm and clear; and everyone took some time to enjoy doing nothing but communing with one another. Eventually, we had to leave as there was a dinner event planned for the evening.

Some of the crews changed for the return voyage. Golden I and Tee Time departed on the Gulf side of the Keys. Tee Time made and effort to outpace Golden I but as soon as Sparky caught on to Brillo's strategy, Golden I was given the spurs and cruised on by. Meanwhile, out on the Ocean side, Orza was miraculously able to plane up for the return voyage (remember that controversy I spoke of?). It was mid-Zaf and the brethren were at peace.

[To be continued and improved...]

President's Day Zaf (2008) - Part 2

Oh, the rigors of a brotherhood zaf: we finally got some sleep Thursday night. A deep charge of the personal storage batteries helped get us ready for the first official day of the President’s Day Zaf. With nothing formally planned for the day, some twisted member of our group suggested we go to Key West for the afternoon. "Wait a minute." I thought to myself, "Didn’t we just get back from there last night?" I voiced my question to the group. I was informed that this would be a good day for a Duval Street crawl. I couldn’t deny the pleasurable day that had broken over the Keys: lots of sun, a few clouds, reasonable winds and temperatures in the high 70's. "Alright." I agreed. "But I’m not driving today." The girls assured me that they were fine - even happy - to navigate and pilot the car. We left at 11:30 AM...back on the road, headed south.

We found a place to park and struggled with the cruise ship tourists on Duval Street. They were hungry and the restaurants and bars were hopping. We dined at the Cheese Burger of Key West. The waitress, an ex-cruiser, talked me into a double key lime margurita in a plastic pineapple complete with a slot on the top. The idea was to turn it into a piggy bank to start saving for my next trip to the Keys. But it was the fact that I could bring it back, anytime, and get a double margurita for the price of a single that convinced me to part with the $5.95 cost of the plastic pineapple. Before I left, I had it refilled. It was already paying dividends. I was already feeling its effects.

We made our way back to the west side of Duval Street and spent a few minutes sitting on the seawall, watching the boats and discussing how nice it would be to be down in the keys on our own bottoms. Someday in the future. Hopefully the near future. Back in the car, we headed north. We didn’t want to be late for the Friday night reunion at Steve and Lori’s house.

As we exited the car at Steve and Lori’s, we could hear the revelry of the brothers that had already arrived. Limey and Holly arrived as we did. We had read their accounts of the cruise south but had not seen them in five months. As soon as the door opened, we were welcomed by brothers from near and far. It would be a good night.

Lori was moving rapidly in her kitchen: double time this year as the help she thought she had arranged had not materialized. The food arrived on time but, she did not slow down for most of the evening. After most of the food had been served, she took some time to don her pirate gear to tell us about the costume party she and Steve had recently attended. Her red wig reminded me of Sherry from the night before but there was a difference: her new hair was red AND curly. She was HOT!

I was impressed by the attendance from the newest US Table. The new brothers from the Solomon’s Table were well represented. A stalwart group of rabble raisers from the Chesapeake Bay. I chalked it up to the good living of the Bay and reflected on what a good addition they were to the "‘hood."

We ate and drank well, once again confirming that, unlike the pirates of the late 17th century, no one ever starves at a brotherhood event. Shortly after the briefing on Saturday’s events, people started disappearing as "Marathon Midnight" approached. Our party headed to Orza, tied up behind Snapper King and Margie’s house. It is always the last party of the evening. After a nightcap, we headed home for some rest. Saturday was almost at hand.

President's Day Zaf (2008) - Part 1

"Are you feeling Presidential?” The Email came through from the Marathon Table in early January. My captive and wife, June, asked me that evening what I thought about making the trip in mid-February. We had traveled down to the event for three of the past four years. June has come to enjoy the mid-winter break; the warm tropical weather (although last year it only hit 62 degrees when we went to Key West!) And the clear turquoise waters where the Atlantic meets the Gulf of Mexico. But, I had just started a new job after a few years of unemployment and our cash reserves were running low. How could we scrape this together?

Then there was John (“Jongagé) & Susan Williams. John is the engagé for the Chesapeake Table and we were anxious to have him experience the Brotherhood outside the sphere of our local table. But Susan is in Real Estate and business has been bad. That is to say, their cash reserves were also running low.

June, determined to make this happen, started considering all the possibilities. Bernie & Margie had held one of their rooms for us but had given it up afer we had initially determined that we couldn’t make the trip this year. We called down to the Marathon brothers and found that El Chino still had no one staying in their guest apartment below their house. June booked the room and we formulated a plan for a kamikaze “land cruise” to the keys.

The week of the Zaf rolled around. John & Susan picked us up at our house and we left for lower Florida at 8:30 PM on Wednesday evening. We ran driving shifts through the night and into the next day while those off-shift got a limited amount of shut-eye in the back of the car. With about two hours of collective breaks, we made it to Marathon by 2:30 PM on Thursday. During the last part of our drive, we contacted the Cruz and Ann who were in Key West on Orza. (Capt.) Rocket Boy and Sherry were there with them. Excited to see them, we quickly showered and, refreshed, got back into the car for the hour ride south to Key West. It was still light when we got there but Sheila (Jongagé’s Australian speaking GPS) sent us to the wrong end of Front Street and we were having trouble navigating to the correct marina. With a number of calls, we found our way and reconnected with our other brothers.

As we were walking out to Orza we passed some trashy looking woman who, upon closer examination, turned out to be Ann & Sherry! They were in disguise having purchased wigs earlier in the day. Sherry was sporting a red, shoulder length wig which perfectly matched her skin color. She was HOT! Ann was a blond and, with her blue eyes, looked like Doris Day’s younger sister. They took us the rest of the way to Orza where we reconnected with Cruz and Rocket Boy.

Everyone was hungry so we quickly left for Pepe’s Restaurant, the oldest bar and restaurant in Key West. A faded exterior and sign that is the front of the establishment belayed it’s internal charm. Everyone was relaxed either from road fatigue or all-day drinking. The waitress, Amanda, was struggling to get us to focus on ordering with some consternation. We got through it, enjoyed the evening’s meal, and headed back to Marathon for some much needed rest.

Stay tuned for Part 2...

On a cold winter's evening...

[nota bene: this entry was written by Blue Stache and posted by Upwind]

After a couple week’s recuperation from the start of a New Year, the call came out from Brother Boats that it was indeed time for the brothers and sooks of the Chesapeake Bay Table to gather in celebration of our fraternity.

On Sunday, January 20, 2008, the first Tip-A-Few of the new year convened at the Flagship restaurant on the waterfront of Portsmouth’s Scotts Creek – it was another tremendous turnout. Limey & Holly were not able to attend – as they were continuing their exploration of the southern climes, AJ was missing in action, Piper was off protecting the citizenry from fire (but Maria represented him well), and Brise-Galets was traveling in France. Brother Cruz flew in from Ft. Lauderdale – leaving Ann & Jack to mind ORZA until his return – to join the festivities.

The company was superb as our little group of 19 initiated a new server (she did a great job) with plentiful orders of both food and drink. It is always a special time when sharing the company of our brothers and celebrating the uniqueness of the Brotherhood of the Coast.

February will find time for the Table to reconvene – many at the Keys Table President’s Day Zaf (with at least three on their own bottoms) and the rest of us somewhere locally. And as always, getting together to share in our good fortunes as Brothers will be highly anticipated.

A Brotherhood Year

[Nota bene: I’ve been working on this here and there throughout December and finishing it up in early January (2008). It is meant as a retrospective of the year just gone by...]

Brother Country Boy wrote a song titled "Brotherhood Day" that was featured on the CD published for last June's National Zaf in Norfolk. The song speaks about each of the U.S. tables (with the exception of Solomons Island which was not in existence at the time). It intimates the fabric of the Brotherhood that connects each brother to his table and the tables to each other.

As the year comes to a close, I was reflecting on Country Boy's song the other day. That is when I realized it has been a Brotherhood Year for my captive, June, and myself. Looking through the log of our sailboat, Talisman, it is evident that most of our boating was centered around our relations with the other brothers of the table. With very few exceptions, each excursion from our marina was to meet or anchor with another brother or group of brothers. Then there were all the days and nights the four brothers at Bay Point Marina, of which I am one, spent visiting with each other: Sharing a glass of wine or jigger of rhum at sunset, casual "come-on-over" dinners and, of course, helping out with the inevitable boat projects.

It started out in February with the land cruise to Marathon, Florida, for the President’s Day Zaf: a savage, non-stop excursion with El Maestro & AJ. Eighteen hours later we pulled into Snapper King & Margie’s driveway in need of a nap before the Friday night reception at Sparky & Lori’s beautiful house. The rest of the weekend was a blur. On the return, we broke things up with an overnight in St. Augustine.

All through the winter and spring months, we met constantly to prepare for our sponsorship of the U.S. National Zaf, scheduled to coincide with the Sail Virginia 2007 celebration in early June. Originally assigned to the Hospitality Committee, I spent most of my time as the recording engineer for the CD of songs that was distributed at the Zaf.

Spring arrived late, as usual, owing to the large bodies of water that surround our area and the fierce northeast winds sweeping in off the Atlantic Ocean. We gathered our boats together for the Memorial Day Weekend and initiated Brother Floater into our table and the Brotherhood. June and I finished up the holiday weekend with Passenjero John Williams and his wife, Susan.

Then it was June and time for the National Zaf! Almost one hundred brothers and captives came together to celebrate the Sail Virginia event and the anniversary of the nation's first colony at Jamestown. Almost all of the Chesapeake Bay brothers had their boats in Friday’s Parade of Sail: many of the visiting brothers and captives went along for the ride. Fireworks from the terrace of the Norfolk Marriott capped the event on Saturday night. That weekend also witnessed the passing of the helm of Chesapeake Bay Table from "Captain-for-Life" Blue Stache to Rocket Boy.

After the Zaf, Limey & Holly were making ready for a cruise to the northeast. June, I and some of the other brothers on "C" pier held a splendid bon voyage dinner party for them and hoped we would see them in the autumn as they came through the Chesapeake on their way south. Problems with the motor had them back the next day. Multiple repairs, false starts and at least three more bon voyage parties occurred before they were finally able to depart. But, the repairs took a number of weeks and their window for a northeast cruise had passed. They spent the rest of the summer months cruising the Chesapeake and were able to join everyone in Solomons Island in early August.

June and I spent the week of the summer solstice with (passenjero) John & Susan cruising the middle and northern peninsulas of Virginia. This is where I learned of John’s love of the sea. He had running engine problems but, unlike many sailors, hung in there throughout the week. I also discovered that there is at least one couple in this world that likes to sleep in while cruising.

After the July Fourth weekend, it was the Town Point Yacht Club (TPYC) raft-up. While not directly affiliated with the Brotherhood, many of the Chesapeake Bay brothers are members. Most of the TPYC members with boats are brothers so it looked like a brotherhood raft-up from the shore. It felt like a brotherhood raft-up and we ate as if it were one.

The next week, it was a brotherhood Tip-a-Few on the water (a raft-up) at Willoughby Bay sponsored by (Captain) Rocket Boy & Sherry. We discussed the upcoming trip to meet the passenjeros of the Solomons Table and decided it would be appropriate to promote John Williams to engagé so he could attend the event. Calls were made to get everyone’s approval and by Saturday afternoon, John had become "Jongagé."

The blur of weekend events continued the next weekend with the Crab Regatta at Rebel Marina, where a number of brothers keep their boats. It is one of the premier boating events in the Hampton Roads area and was attended by most of the Chesapeake Bay brothers.

The first week of August brought a road trip to Solomons Island to meet with the eight passenjeros of the forming table and orient them to our fraternity. June and I took Talisman up the Bay on a magical summer night and arrived at the pier of Snapper King & Margie sixteen hours later, in need of a nap (deja vu?). After a day together with the pasenjeros, we discovered they could hold their rhum rations and found them all to be worthy. On our way home, we pulled into Dividing Creek for an overnight raft-up with Cruz & Ann. June and I were thankful for the evening thunderstorms that cooled the heat of the day and for our good friends who fed us after a long day on the water.

The second week of August seemed like the first weekend in a long time that was not scheduled with an event. But Talisman is our home on summer weekends and the weather was fair. I called a few brothers about a local cruise and raft-up and found Jongagé & Susan willing. We spent the evening in Hampton Harbor. Pilot & Francine stopped by the next day on Cat Nap for a short visit before we broke the raft and headed back to our home ports.

Two weeks later found most of the brothers at Bay Creek Marina on the lower Eastern Shore of Virginia for another TPYC event. That event was followed, the next week, by the 3rd annual Labor Day Brotherhood raft-up. This year we held it in Put-In Creek, a small tributary of the East River in Mathews County. This was a joint Tip-a-Few event sponsored by the crews of Talisman and Cat Nap. The high revelry (read: frequent cannon fire) of the event drew some annoyance from the locals who, after Saturday night, asked if we could cease and desist at sundown on Sunday evening.

The warm weather lasts well past Labor Day in the Chesapeake. The annual Bay Days event the following weekend found the crews of Blue Moon, Fresh Air and Talisman rafted together in Hampton Harbor for the event. A few weeks later found the same crews sailing in the vicinity of (the body of water named) Hampton Roads. Via radio, we agreed to an impromptu raft-up in Mill Creek where we shared snacks and liquid refreshments for a few hours before heading home.

The last weekend in September defined another Brotherhood weekend for June and I as we sailed down the Elizabeth River for a raft-up with Rocket Boy & Sherry aboard Blue Moon. We had wanted to spend some time with them as, for the second year in a row, they would not be able to head north with what has become an annual event for us: the autumn cruise up the Chesapeake Bay.

Four days later, Talisman left for points north. Our first stop was, again, the pier of Snapper King & Margie in Solomons Island. Upon arrival, we were informed we had 45 minutes to get ready for an emergency party: Brother Felix was in port with Magic. We were there an hour later along with passenjeros Pete Chabot, Smitty Smith and their wives. We left the next morning for Annapolis and the annual U.S. Sailboat Show. A number of the Chesapeake Bay brothers were in town for the show: Shanty was anchored in the harbor and Rocket Boy & Sherry had driven to the event. They spent the night aboard Talisman before heading home Sunday morning. Country Boy was working the show Sunday and Monday and was our guest Sunday night. Following a brief visit to Galesville, we stopped at Solomons Island and the pier of Snapper King again. This time we were invited to a dinner at the Solomons Island Yacht Club where passenjero Al Redfield and his wife, Cynde, were hosting the dinner that night. Passenjero Sonny Forrst and his wife, Charlene, were also there for the dinner. We left the next day, headed back to the southern end of the Bay and the finish line for the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race which had started that afternoon. Piper and his beautiful schooner, Shanty, were in the race being ably crewed by other brothers of our table. At Portsmouth, many of the brothers in our table gathered for the end-of-the-race celebrations. It had been a Brotherhood cruise.

As October grew older, it was time for another annual event along the Norfolk waterfront: the Festevent Wine Festival. Brother El Maestro had been working on Maraj all summer and was ready to take her to the event. June and I crewed her to the event and spent a great day soaking up the sun and wine. Orza was at the Waterside Marina with Blue Moon and Fresh Air rafted up across the river at the Hospital Point anchorage. June and I spent the night on Blue Moon and finished up yet another Brotherhood weekend with a fine breakfast the next morning.

November rolled around bringing with it cooler temperatures, northerly winds and shorter days. But there was no resting: in mid-month we were visited by the brothers from the Norway table and the magnificent tall ship - the Statsraad Lehmkuhl - they command and crew. Brother Dogwaes had boarded the ship in Bermuda to spend some time with his two sons (brothers from the Bergen Table) who are Captain and Executive Officer. After their departure, a reception was held for Brother Dogwaes and Swedish Navigator (who had traveled from the Florida to pick up Dogwaes) at the home of Rocket Boy.

The next week, the week of Thanksgiving, Heinz and Brigitte Scheel from the Tisch Lübeck - Travemünde Table of Germany came to the lower Chesapeake as part of their U.S. Brotherhood tour. Again, a reception was held at the home of Rocket Boy followed, the next day, by a water tour of the area aboard Orza with a compliment of Chesapeake Bay brothers as crew.

Then, with the full press of the holiday season, our formal gatherings started winding down as everyone pursued the events and errands preceding Christmas. But even then, we continued meeting and enjoying the company of our good friends, all of them brothers, in the lead up to Christmas: the dinner with Rocket Boy & Sherry; dinner and tree decorating at the home of Jongagé & Susan. The day after Christmas is the annual Tip-a-Few/Boxing Day event at the home of Cruz & Ann where we came together for the last time of the year as a group. Finally, Rocket Boy & Sherry, Jongagé & Susan and June & I came together one final time for New Year’s Eve festivities at the marinas of Willoughby Bay.

That is my retrospective of the year 2007. It was truly a Brotherhood year. But more than that, it is the definition of a lifestyle: the brothers of the Chesapeake Bay Table are first and foremost a group of good friends who enjoy each others company. Ultimately, that is the fabric of the Brotherhood - friends who love, admire and support one another through the common bond that is the love of the sea.

Tip-a-Few Schedule for 2008

For those just peaking in, one of the reasons our table is so close is due to our monthly Tip-a-Few events. It is a time each month that - whenever possible - we gather to spend time together. The Tip-a-Few schedule for 2008 was, in large part, determined during the recent Boxing Day event at Cruz & Ann's house. Several brothers were out of town but we left slots open for them to sponsor the monthly gathering.

Here is the schedule:
January - (open)
February - (open)
March - Piper
April - El Maestro
May - Pilot
June - Boats
July - Country Boy
August - (Captain) Rocket Boy
September - Upwind [Labor Day raft up]
October - Blue Stache
November - Floater
December - Cruz [Boxing Day]

Please inform Rocket Boy or Upwind of any changes or details to the schedule.

Additionally, there has been some talk with brothers of the new Solomons Island Table about having a joint raft up for the July 4th, 2008, weekend. Please keep this in mind as the possibility is explored.

White Boxing Day

Boxing Day, the day after Christmas. A public holiday in most countries but not observed much in the United States. While it originated as a day to give gifts to employees and poor people, it has turned into something completely different for the brothers of the Chesapeake Bay table: a day to relieve oneself of gifts that are less than desirable. The process is accomplished through a White Elephant gift exchange. Perhaps we should call it White Boxing Day.

Boxing Day has become a tradition for the table. Held each year at the home of Brother Cruz and Captive Ann, just behind the dunes of the Chesapeake Bay’s southern shore. It also serves to bring the table together for the December Tip-a-few: a monthly social gathering for our table. This year’s event was a stormy one: a developing nor’easter had caused the barometric pressure to drop and brought 30 to 40 knot winds down the Bay from the north just as the brothers were arriving for the afternoon event.

As we entered the house, the first thing to assault the senses was the aroma of the feast being prepared by Ann. Wine and beer started to flow as the crowd continued to grow. Unfortunately, some in our table were missing: Diana was home sick; Briesegalet was out of the country; Floater & Jackie were in Louisiana with family for the holidays and Limey & Holly are cruising in Florida, waiting for the space shuttle's next launch. While they were missed, our gathering was still a warm one. We exchanged stories of the holiday just gone by as Ann continued to prepare food...a lot of food!

After feasting in mid-afternoon, before the main event started, we were able to get everyone together for some group shots which you see here. [AJ had to leave early so I inserted her picture with the other captives]






Then it was on to the main event! The various gifts were assembled and everyone started searching their pockets for the small slips of paper that designated their turn in selecting a gift. The gifts and hijinks were varied and many. Some walked away with useful gifts - El Maestro selected a needed wallet - while others (yours truly included) held their heads in their hands over what had came out of the box that was selected.

When it was all over, night had fallen as it does so early at this time of the year. Not everyone had the next day off so various couples started making their way home. The wind had shifted to the northwest as the nor’easter headed up the coast and pulled colder air in on its back side. No one had been affected by the storm outside as we enjoyed each others company and the revelry that always accompanies our gatherings.

Additional pictures can be viewed on the picture site for the Chesapeake Bay table.

Induction of the Solomons table

Last Week-End, Saturday December 8th, was the birthday of the Solomons table, with a starting crew of 8 brothers. Seven established tables (eight with the new Solomons table) attended the event. There were brothers and captives from San Antonio (TX), Houston (TX), Chesapeake Bay (Hampton Roads, VA), New York (NY), Savannah (GA), our neighbour to the north - the Potomac table (MD), and the table of the Keys in Florida which was represented by the new table's sponsor, Snapper King.

One might dare say that the event was organized so well that even the military could not have done a better job. The visiting brothers tried their best to introduce a little disorganization, but were not very successful!

In any event, not only was the week-end very successful, but the quality of this new group of brothers is very impressive and there is no doubt that this table will soon be another jewel in our brotherhood.

>> Happy birthday, Solomons! <<

PS : You can see a lot more photos in the photo album of the Solomons table

Brother from Lübeck

Mid-November...usually a slower time of the year for the Chesapeake Bay Table: Boating time is diminished as the days grow perceptually shorter and frequent cold-weather systems churn up the waters of the Bay and its tributaries. Then, too, are the year-end holidays when we make plans to spend time with our families. But November 2007 was shaping up to be a busy one for our Table: As noted elsewhere on this Blog, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl had come to port the week before the [United States] Thanksgiving holiday with a reception for our brothers from Savannah a few nights later. We had also received word that brother Heinz Scheel from the Lübeck-Travemünde Table of Germany would be coming to visit the next week. Travelling with his captive, Brigitte, it was a part of their US Brotherhood tour which had started with the New York Table earlier in the month.

Heinz & Brigitte were treated to a Chesapeake Bay sunset as they drove into the area across the Chesapeake Bay/Bridge Tunnel late in the afternoon on Monday, November 19th. They were received at the home of our Captain that evening.

Tuesday shaped up to be a beautiful day for touring the area. It was my pleasure to be their tour guide. Arriving late for the beginning of our tour, I found Heinz in the grip of a cold. Not to be deterred by his rhinovirus, Heinz insisted on making the best of his time. After conferring with the couple, we started our tour of the area by heading to the south shore of the Bay. Heinz was amazed at the way we string our utility lines (electric, telephone, cable TV, etc.) on poles rather than bury them underground. I also learned that in Germany, the homes are not constructed of wood as they are here in the States.

At the Bay, we turned the car east and travelled toward the Atlantic ocean stopping along the way to enjoy a late lunch of fried scallops at the Surf Rider restaurant at Taylor's Landing Marina. The tour continued through First Landing State Park before heading south along Atlantic Avenue to the tourist area of the Virginia Beach oceanfront. After a brief walk along the boardwalk, Heinz asked to return to the car as his energy level was running low. Our final stop was at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens where we watched the sunset before returning to Captain Rocket Boy's house for a reception by the Table. Good food, camaraderie and a healthy dose of rhum brought some color back to Heinz's face. It had been a good day.

Where Tuesday had been the land tour, Wednesday was scheduled for the water tour. All brothers who could break from work met at Bay Point Marina and boarded Orza late in the morning. The sun was shining brightly and the day had warmed nicely. Brother Cruz eased his magnificent vessel from the slip and we headed out of Little Creek inlet. Once we cleared the inlet, the small wheel of the large vessel was turned over to Heinz as we moved westward along the south shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Once past Fort Wool, we headed toward the Elizabeth River. Having served in the German Navy, Heinz was keenly interested in the naval hardware in-port at the Norfolk Naval Base. He was especially impressed by the two Nimitz class aircraft carriers that were in port.

We moved down to the southern branch of the river and picked up brother Boats at his place of business. Then, Orza started the journey back, stopping briefly for a close inspection of the battleship Wisconsin. Brother Cruz brought Orza so close that he was asked to move away by a security guard on the main deck of the battleship. Assuring the guard he would do so, Cruz continued along the Wisconsin's hull to its bow where he made a stunning turn before heading out of the basin. We returned home at sunset and the crew dispersed. Heinz & Brigitte headed to the home of Cruz & Ann for lodging as they were scheduled to spend their first U.S. Thanksgiving with Ann's family the next day.

While I was not with them on Thursday, word has it they enjoyed the splendid event and were more than sufficiently fed. They departed for the Savannah Table on Friday morning and, after experiencing the U.S. version of the Autobahn (I-95), arrived there late in the day.

Double barrel Tip-a-Few

The "Statsraad Lehmkuhl", no stranger to the US brotherhood, was in town for a short visit. This also brought to town brother Dogwaes and brother Swedish Navigator.

The captain of the Norvegian Tall Ship, brother Marcus Seidl, had invited the table to join a function held on the ship, and the whole table, as usual only short of those who were out of town, turned up at 8:00 p.m. sharp at the ship's gangway.

After drinks on deck, to get us started, brother and ship's captain Marcus took us to the officers quarters where e could meet as brothers. A set of brotherhood shot glasses was presented to brother Marcus by our table captain brother Rocket Boy. After that, we were taken on a brief tour of the ship before heading below deck for a norvegian buffet (salmon and whale among other things) with the other guests and the cadets and permanent crew of the Statsraal Lehmkuhl. To help the food go down smoothly, we were treated to a norvegian shanty by the cadets.

This was certainly an extraordinary Tip a Few and a memorable experience. This might only be one episode in the relationship of our table with that wonderful training vessel.

The next day, since brothers Dogwaes and Swedish Navigator were still in town, table captain Rocket Boy invited all of us to a spaghetti dinner. Again, most of us were able to make it and we enjoyed a friendly and pleasant evening with no shortage of excellent food and wine.

Until next time, you can still check the photo album of the table.

October-ween / Hallo-fest Tip-A-Few. . . .

The Chesapeake Bay Table wrapped up a very busy month of October with their traditional monthly Tip-A-Few gathering - this time hosted by Brother Blue Stache and Sook Diana on the deck of Ocean Marine Yacht Center in Portsmouth. With a perfectly timed break in the rainy weather of the past 4 days, Brothers came by sea, land vehicle and foot to share in the festivities featuring grilled bratwurst, beans, potato salad, super dessert cakes and, of course, that demon RUM!!!

After a month of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, the Virginia Wine Festival, and more, the Table took this time to just catch up with each other and enjoy a level of comraderie – celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, pretty new vehicles, etc. Unfortunately, Brother Limey and Sook Holly and Brother Piper were not able to join us since Limey was anchored off the Wacamaw River in South Carolina on their way south for the winter and Piper was participating in his annual re-enactment camping trip.

The Table was very fortunate to have Brother Felix (Paul Anderson) and Captive Erika from the Gold Coast Table join in the event as they were passing through Norfolk on the motor vessel Magic – heading south from the far reaches of the Canadian provinces. They have visited this fair Table many times in the past and it is always a pleasure to have them here on the Chesapeake.

Another great event shared in the great traditions of the Brotherhood of the Coast.


PS : As always, more pictures on the photo album of the Chesapeake Bay table

The work was in the Galley. . . . .

The Chesapeake Bay Table gathered in the far reaches of the waterways of Mathews County – Put-In Creek off the East River in Mobjack Bay – for a 4th consecutive Labor Day weekend to honor all those working folks, trying to get by!! This annual Tip-A-Few was at the direction of Brothers Pilot and Upwind. The thing that can be said with certainty is the work done over this 3 day raft-up of 8 vessels; 9 Brothers; 1 Engage with partner; 9 Sooks; 4 guests; 24 folks total, was done in the galleys of these gathered vessels.

The raft began forming Saturday afternoon with Party Central, ORZA, as the anchor vessel. Soon, Hampshire Rose (returning from 4+ weeks up north), Talisman, Casual Class, Blue Moon, Fresh Air, and Cat Nap joined in with the announcement, Dinner at 7:00!! The vessel Shanty joined us on Sunday. The rest of the weekend was more of the same – some of the best meal combinations for every meal - breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts, WOW!! That’s really saying a lot since we are used to good food. From the coconut shrimp to the superb beef and pork, right on down to the ‘parsnips’ – it was really great!!

The weather was terrific, winds were gentle and the company beyond reproach so dinghy adventures (shopping and trash runs), boat projects, ‘12 ounce curls’, cannon fire (although a very polite local shore side resident requested this activity stop at dusk on Sunday – request honored – shaking his living room window was probably not the best idea) and Andanadas ensued throughout. Just swinging on the hook with the tides – how bad can it get?

By late morning Monday, everyone was heading south (yes the winds had come southerly instead of the northerlies of trip up), back to the real ‘labor days’ waiting in the home ports. Another classic Brotherhood weekend in the Chesapeake.