Sail to Thomas Point 7-18-10

Today we sailed to Thomas Point Lighthouse, about 7 NM South of Annapolis. A beautiful summer afternoon with decent wind but still a bit on the warm side. Our neighbors Dylan and Elise joined us for a great afternoon! We sailed past the lighthouse and tacked to get closer for some real nice photos. After taking turns diving in to cool off, we set sail for our home port. It was really interesting as we were watching a rain system develop just west of us. The system was moving North as were we! It never made its way to the Bay...the rain that is! The wind however, was a different story. We were on a reach in a gentle 9 knot breeze but the wind peppered up to 22 knots in a matter of seconds. That made things very interesting aboard Domingoman! The crew remained calm and we furled the headsail and sailed back under mainsail only. That was more than enough sail in this freshened breeze!

Dylan on the starboard rail as we entered the bay

Eileen enjoying the sea breeze that felt like air conditioning

Eileen and Elise on the swim platform keeping their feet cool

The Thomas Point lighthouse.

Dylan and Elise

Serious speed! This is the fastest we have sailed. Actually, we hit 8.3 knots, but it is tough to try to grab the camera when you are heeled at 30 degrees! All in all, it was a great sail. Dylan's comment in the guest log was "22 knots of wind...you can't beat it!"

Sail with Barry 7-17-10

We enjoyed the cool temp and 12 knot breeze out on the bay as the temps were in the mid 90's on land! We sailed out passed the shipping lane towards the bay bridge. This was the first time I met Barry, a gentleman and friend of my first mate!

Barry enjoying time at the helm

Eileen and Jamie cooling their feet

This barge was being towed by that tugboat

This barge, loaded with coal, was being pushed by that tug

Oh no...the jellies are here!

4th of July Weekend

July 4th 2010 was a holiday to remember! Our family came from MA, CO, NC, FL, and NY! We had a housefull needless to say! Here are various shots of our time together, not in chronological order!

Our Grandkids, left to right...Abby, Alexander, Isaac, participating in our neighborhood parade!

One of many sailing trips on the bay. This one with Wes and Kim, Leah and Matthew, and Joel and Bri.

My son-in-law Brad with Alex at our marina

Joel diving off the starboard side!

Isaac at the helm!

Family shot at home

Isaac give me a head-butt

Abby hanging with Cappy!

This is probably one of the coolest cakes I have ever seen. Stephanie used her artistic talents to make this for my 50th surprise B-day party. When one is born on Christmas, he doesn't suspect a party in July. I'm not even used to having birthday parties! After the initial shock, it really was a lot of fun. Thanks to all who made this happen, especially my first mate!

You might have to click on the picture to be able to see the helicopter hovering around that sailboat. The helicopter belongs to a company "Boatpix.com" and it takes pictures of boats while underway. They took pics of our boat and I am waiting for them to arrive in the mail.

Guys day out! Jamie, Joel, Matthew, Brad and I had a great sail in perfect conditions.

Eileen and Joel at our beach overlook

Another parade pic!

Bri and our 4th grandchild (yes...unborn) with Leah, and Matthew on crab pot watch!

Stehpanine, Brad, and Alex in the Chessie lounge

Group shot after sailing

Gene, Khuzaima and Taha out for a cruise after my party

My mother-in-law Sue, from Florida at the helm

My mom at the helm. She wasn't so sure about this steering thing!

Thanks to everyone for making this a memory! Eileen and I are truly blessed.

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.