Cruise to Kent Narrows

We spent Memorial Day weekend 2010 cruising to the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake. We set sail on Saturday morning on a southerly route around Kent Island and then North through Eastern Bay to Kent Narrows. The wind was light to start but built throughout the day. The clouds soon parted and it was a wonderful trip of 17 NM. From port to port, it was about 7 hours. On Monday, we decided to take the Northerly route and sail around Love Point and then South to Annapolis. That trip was 19 NM and took 6 hours.

Jamie listening to his iPod and Shiloh content to be going on a trip



We sailed past this regatta which hadn't started yet. We heard the warning horns and just like that, they were off! It was fun watching them coming at us and then soon passing us. These boats are fast!

The Kent Point lighthouse with Kent Point (furthest to right) and Bloody Point in the background.

The approach to Kent Narrows

After a trip like that, Cherry Coke just isn't going to do it for Jamie!

Some of the locals need things spelled out for them!

This is the Jetty Dock Bar where our friends' band "A Classic Case" was playing on Sunday. They played four hours of oldies. Too much fun!

Domingoman sporting her new bimini top. Great to have some shade when it is hot.

This is the Kent Narrows drawbridge which we navigated on Monday morning. We left in time to make the 09:00 opening. The bridge only opens on the hour and half hour. It is only 46' across which is not very generous. Throw in the current and it makes it even more challenging. We went through almost at slack tide, against a slight current which is better than going with the current.

This is the view under the Annapolis Bay Bridge which is 4 miles long. At this point on the trip home, the winds were fresh at 16 kts. It was so refreshing as the temperature was climbing.

My first mate on the lookout for crab pots, which are plentiful on the approach to Annapolis. Eileen gets first mate of the year award. She was an icredible help taking time at the helm and helping with navigation and buoy identification! All in all, it was a great weekend and we all came back liking eachother!

Blessing of the Fleet 05-23-2010

Today was the first ever, Blessing of the Fleet in Annapolis, hosted by our marina. After church, we motored over to McNasby Pier. There was a short non-denominational ceremony where we sang a couple of hymns, a retired priest read the Psalms and offered up a prayer to bless the fleet, captains, crew, and all that board these vessels. Afterwards, we assembled into a parade and were lead around the harbor by the Annapolis Fire Boat. We then went back to our respective slips and assembled at the Port Annapolis Pavilion. It was a great time to be with new friends. At one point during the parade, Eileen said "my dad would have been all over this!" I just know that this made Dave smile.

The advertisement for this event

Getting ready to begin the service

Eileen holding the hymn sheet. What a great nautical hymn this is Eternal Father, Strong to Save, used by the US Naval Academy Glee Club.

The parade of boats after the service

Some new friends, to Eileen's left is Lauren and Leif. Across from Eileen is one of our old friends Jaye. We met Jaye and Dan (not pictured) last year at a gathering at Port Annapolis after the US Sailboat show. They have been living on their sailboat, cruising since. They just got back this weekend!

Shiloh's Maiden Voyage 5-22-2010

Eileen and I stayed aboard for the first time after our Friday night sail. We woke to a beautiful morning and had coffee at the Wet Dog Cafe (in our marina). Eileen went home to fetch the boy and dog while I puttered around with fixing the courtesy light in our cockpit. We had perfect winds of 8-10 knots out of the SW with only a few fair weather clouds. Just a gorgeous afternoon.


Shiloh looking for Eileen and Jamie. C'mon already...I haven't sailed in over a year!

Best buds

On the high side

Jamie in the port side stern perch

Eileen checking out the swim platform. The bay is still a tad cold.

Tom Madden Joins 5-21-2010

My workmate Tom, joined us for dinner, sail, and karaoke afterwards, as did Jamie's friend Morgan. We enjoyed some great wind and libations!

Tom at the helm

Morgan, our resident walking encyclopedia was pointing out something

Navios Cielo from Panama

Graduation Weekend 5-15-2010

Our son-in-law Matthew, graduated from Duke University with his Masters of Divinity. Needless to say, we are extremely proud of him and look forward to all that God has in store for him. It was a wonderful ceremony in the Duke Chapel and it was amazing seeing him get hooded. We are blessed to have shared in this milestone in Matthew's education and life. Unfortunately, the only pics that I took in the chapel were blurry beyond recognition as they didn't allow flashes and I wasn't steady enough! So, we will settle for pics of Abby!

Abby is 11 months old now and walking all over the place!

Abby and Leah at the park with Amma behind the camera

We came home early on Sunday and we went out on the bay on a chartered tug boat to sip some champagne and celebrate the life of David Miller. He was a gem of a human being and we are fortunate to have known him. Originally from Rochester, NY, David was a loving husband and dad, an accountant and sailor. We didn't have too much in common! After spreading his ashes at sea, we went to the Miller home for a wonderful brunch. Of course, I didn't get enough time on the water so Eileen and I went for a sail. I took this picture with my blackberry as we didn't have the camera during our sail. Matthew had taken this same picture a few weeks ago, but it had the osprey perched on the rail. The ospry's nest is behind the "3."

Sarah Steele 05-07-2010

Last night, Sarah Steele, originally from Ithaca, now living in Upper Marlboro, MD came out for a sail with us. What a joy it always is to spend time with her. We went out in a stiff breeze (18 kts) under main only. The breeze continued to freshen and was steady at 24-26 knots. That is a lot of wind! We reached across the bay and reached back so it was a relatively comfortable sail.

Eileen and Jamie hanging out boatside as we were waiting for Sarah

Our next door neighbor was out so it was a good opportunity to take a pic of Domingoman with the clubhouse and pool area in the background

Sarah and Jamie enjoying the trip

One of the many bulk carriers anchored out in the deep water. This is the Grand Venetico from Monrovia, Liberia. Built in 1990, she is 820 feet long, 141 feet wide, and draws 56.5 feet! That means the boat must be in at least 57 feet of water or she will run aground. The bay is not really deep so that is probably why they are all anchored out there.

The sun setting over Back Creek on our way back to port. We had to get back because Friday night is Karaoke night at the Ebb Tide. We had too much fun as Jamie was amped up on Cherry Coke...again!

Cinco de Mayo 05-05-10

So it is Cinco de Mayo...but we aren't Spanish, so we had our own party out on the Bay! It was a treat to watch the Wednesday night races around the cans, all one-design races, J/22s, J/105s, J/109s, and J/80s. This past weekend the NOODs (National Offshore One Design) were here, competing in Annapolis. We saw the end of one race on Saturday because we got out too late. Tonight, we headed out to the first windward mark and threw the hook. It really was fun to watch and think about all of the racing that I have done back on Lake Michigan. This was Eileen's first up close and personal experience with racing.

The J/109s just after the start

A very cool spinnaker

Eileen trying to avoid the crab pot mine field

Happy to be sailing

On the way back to Port Annapolis

Work day - 05-01-2010

We spent the late morning/early afternoon working on the boat, like putting up a new flag halyard, servicing the winches, fixing a drain, and swabbing the deck. After the work was done, we went for a quick sail (5 NM). Stellar conditions once again on the Bay!

I hoisted Eileen up the mast in our bosuns chair. Here she is at half-mast stringing the new flag halyard.

PMYC is Poor Man's Yacht Club. Better than Red Neck Yacht Club I guess.

Jamie surfing in the clubhouse