"When I think of all the fools I've been it's a wonder that I've sailed this many miles." -Guy Clark

Friday, December 13, 2024

day twenty-nine - cold, tacking, the last day


I don't need an app to tell me it is cold, but my phone confirms it anyway.  Layered up with thermals, I get warm as I stow the sleeping gear and break down the boom tent.


7:45 sail off the mooring in the lightest of breezes just as the sun crests the horizon.  


8:10 round Ship Point, jibe, making 1.3 towards the Chester.  Listen to a symphony of birds.


8:45 the wind fills in.  2.7 then 1.3. 9:00 slip past Spaniard Neck to the Chester River.  Making 3.5.  Wind comes and goes and I am content with that.  Thoughts of anchoring in Southeast Creek go away, I realize it is the last day of the trip.  I'll be in Chestertown by late afternoon.


10:00 tacking up river.  10:45 pass Deep Point and the river narrows.  Sailing against the tide, tack, tack, tack.  11:15 shifting winds.  11:50 better wind, finally warming up.


12:05 making 3.0.  12:40 ghosting on calm water, a wind line ahead.


1.9, then back to 0.5, then 2.1.  Overcast slipping away.


Red marker "4" shows the tide has turned and now helps us up river.  


1:50 round Melton Point, 1.3 with the flood tide.  I hear a toot from a horn and see the skipjack IDA MAY.  And now I know why I saw her tied up on Reed Creek, she is heading to the Downrigging Festival too.


3:15 the wind fails.  Under power past Rolph's Wharf and up the Devil's Reach.  At Primrose Point there is just enough wind to make the last couple of miles to Chestertown under sail.  


Docked 4:25.  A few days ahead of the festival to relax before the crowds arrive.  

Monday evening and the town is quiet.  I am surprised and pleased to see an "open" sign on The Kitchen and The Pub at the Imperial.  A nice dinner, then a Dark and Stormy to celebrate a nice cruise.


 18.73 NM

No comments: