The Choptank Cruise 2006
on Monday October 2, 2006 02:05PM
Seven boats (Pharos- Myra & Ted Bennett, American Pie- Jane & Vic DeNunzio, Miss Kate- Kate & Tony Sakowski, Wings- Fay & John Koedel, Sunstorm- Charlie Clough and crew, Silver Cloud- Sarah Carneal and Roger Gabey, and Reveille- George and Lyons Burke, with all but Pharos continuing north thereafter) sailed the initial leg to Somers Cove Marina where they grilled and shared potluck dishes. From Crisfield, a 12 knot south wind pushed the cruisers to Solomons Island, giving some the opportunity to bring their spinnakers out of mothballs. Because of a stiff northeast wind on their noses, most of the group motored to the Choptank the following day where the new floating docks at Oxfords Tred Avon Yacht Club cradled their empty boats as they continued motoring, now by van, around Marylands Eastern Shore, emptying shop shelves as they went. A superb dinner at the Inn at Easton capped their stay.
However, the return cruise was less comfortable. The group used the remnants of the north breeze for a broad reach back to Solomons where an ominous NOAA forecast of south winds at 25 knots for 3 days awaited them. Thereafter unanimity crumbled, with some choosing to motor or sail a long leg home before the winds intensified, others to layover in Reedville until they subsided, and only American Pie staying on the original schedule of a homeward leg on Sunday. This diversity of sailing decisions did not prevent the cruisers from gathering in Reedvilles Fairport Marina Restaurant for a Saturday night crab fest. Some came by sailboat and some by car. Reflections- Nancy and Sam Stoakley and Diane and Ed OConnor joined the celebrants for this final feast. After several hours of eating succulent steamed crabs, memories of heavy winds and rough seas faded and only the good remained.