Sail off anchor is a light breeze, a better south wind than expected. 2.6 across Fox Creek. Tack 7:40 towards Hooper Strait, making just 1.4 and motor sailing. Sun coming through a light overcast. Chocolate sea salt Rx bar, buffalo bar and diced peaches for breakfast.
Reach Billys Point on Lower Hooper Island at 8:10, look out on the bay to sea a skipjack heading north. More wind out of the north and tack at 8:30, sailing close-hauled hugging the shoreline. 2.9 along Lower Hooper Island. Round Richland Point at 9:30 and Barren Island emerges in the distance.
Making 3.7 off of Hoopersville, a village of little white houses that seems to sit just a few feet above the water. Cool and grey with darker skies over the west side of the Bay.
A deadrise passes by, the two crew members looking over their shoulders give me a wave. The big, burly captain wonders what they are looking at and turns his head. He grins and waves, and burst into laughter. I don't know why, maybe just the sight of me bundled up in my foul weather gear on a overcast day threatening rain. It is an infectious laughter and I can't help but laugh too. 2.9 to the north and I find myself smiling.
Light rain and the rain comes with more wind. 3.1 and by 10:30 4.1. More wind and rain at 11:00, 5.3. Passing Barren Island at 11:30 and with a slight turn to the north we have wind on beam, less rain and making 5.5 to 6. There are cormorants all around, dark bodies with long necks and a hooked bill against the grey sky. Noon, 4.3, calmer and rain gone for now.
Less wind at 12:30, then no wind and under power. Choppy. A friendly wave from NO LIMITS, a deadrise headed their crab pots, as they slow down to reduce the wake for me.
Round Oyster Cove 1:45, shut down the outboard and refuel. Catch a breeze and crossing the mouth of the Little Choptank wing and wing at 1.8. The south wind fills in, making 3.8 and then 4.9 headed for Hills Point at 3:00.
I duck into Trippe Bay but don't like the anchorages. Round Cook Point in to the Choptank at 4:35. Anchor down in a creek east of Cook Point Cove at 5:20. I am tired. I think the cool overcast day sapped my energy. Creole chicken with brown rice and a cup of mixed tropical fruit for dinner.
34.73 NM for the day.
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