One of my favorite blogs is a creation of Barry Long.

Barry and Aeon.

His Marginalia, an “infrequent repository of mostly new stuff,” shares not only his keen eye through the camera, but also offers reflections on his travels and the occasional observations of beauty we all too often overlook. Barry writes very well and his photos are wonderful. After corresponding for a few years mostly about boats (Barry’s pair of Melonseeds he built in a basement are gorgeous), we finally got to meet in St. Michaels. I didn’t know he had taken photographs of UNA, but I’m happy she caught his eye. Barry’s appreciation of some of her details remind me of what was an enjoyable build.

A Barry pic.

Hopefully, we’ll  get to sail with Barry when warmer climes return.

Janes’ marsh canal.

The afternoon light on the Bay late Fall can be spectacular. Those foggy mornings can be serene.

marina’s misty morning.

My youngest boy and I got the opportunity earlier this week to day sail with some new friends and their boats at Janes Island State Park. A nice campground with hundreds of sites had maybe 5 visitors. We pitched tents on the edge of the canal and kept the boats in the small marina where slips were $3 a night per boat. What a deal! Both mornings began early with the half dozen or so watermen rumbling by in their deadrise skiffs before a rooster could crow.

Here are our cohorts:

Peter’s “Nip”.

“Nip” is an Oughtred Caledonia Yawl, “Una’s” grandaddy.

Mike’s “Jack-a-Roo”

“Jack” is a Joel White Haven 12 1/2.

Kevin’s “Little T”.

Kevin built his Marsh Cat. Very nice.

Winds were generally light and variable the first day and part of the second, but steady winds came through the afternoon of the second. We had a good reach across the town of Crisfield, MD and beat up the harbor entry to sail in the largely deserted basin. Like many Eastern Shore towns this one has seen better times. Hopefully they will return. Monstrous condos at the entrance doesn’t improve the charm of the town at all. Sadly, it is hard to keep such attraction secret. One has to question how well these outsiders are received and vice versa. It certainly is a clash of cultures. However, there is still much to recommend the “Crab Capital of the World” and that is mostly its location. Hard to beat.

Architecture.

A beautiful workboat.

A valiant fight against eroding tides.

Well, I built me a raft and she’s ready for floatin’;
Ol’ Mississippi, she’s callin’ my name.
Catfish are jumpin’, that paddle wheel thumpin’,
Black water keeps rollin’ on past just the same.
“Black Water” – Doobie Brothers

The mark twain.

Landing construction date

Sailing in reverse.

Richmond, VA: Point ‘A’

floating piers at Rocketts.

Archeology of industry downstream.

gravel crane

tug and gravel barge from Norfolk.

at Falling Creek

Sausage King’s estate (Jimmy Dean RIP)

architecture

power plant? need to look it up.

Benjamin Harrison bridge

I found myself dosing in the cockpit like a cat at points. Snacks and drinks taste better in the open air.

Shirley Plantation

Hopewell

Need I say more?

 

UNA slipped under the Jordan Pt. bridge as the wind nearly quit. I jury rigged some Navlites I was loaned to review for Small Boats Magazine. They are quite simple, but rugged. You can look for the write-up in the next couple of months.

 

Jordan Pt.

Moon over boom

NavLites

I had hoped for a quiet creek just past Berkeley Plantation, but without wind and contrary current, I decided to pull over a mile short after realizing my rowing was making very little headway. After a quick pouched meal of curried spinach and potatoes, I hung out the lantern and crawled into the sack.

Anchorage.

Well out of the channel and tucked under a cliff, the night was relatively calm aside from the few tugs passing in the night. They rocked the boat. 07:00 delivered morning, flat, chilly, and all was dew soaked. (I’m working on  a tent in earnest now). Breakfast was coffee, oatmeal, and snack bar. All stuck well to the ribs. Morning tunes set the mood perfectly.

dawn

breakfast

astern

With the impending gale coming and no wind, I had to choose a pull out point. The closest place downstream was a good day’s sail, if possible. With the tide about to ebb one more time I elected to retrace the last 1 1/2 miles back to Jordan Pt Marina. The sub 3 kt “breath” forced delicate sailing. UNA did fine for half that trip. Eventually, the wind dissipated to require rowing which was pleasant on flat water. While not a rowboat, my fearing does move with purpose once started. My wife came with youngest soon and trailer in tow an hour after we landed. The ladies at Jordan Pt. said I could forget the $10 ramp fee. Out of gratitude we  ate at their Crabby Mikes. Good cheese burgers.

Light air drifting. Hardly a wake, but moving.

buoy passed.

Crabby Mikes

my girl.

I had a brief weather and schedule window allowing us to get out there. More to report later, but here is a taste.

I think Canada Goose is a misnomer. Once here the bird stays and flies in circles. It is either confused and/or just wedded to our waters. The geese can be seen here year round. Their honks fit the day here.

I’ve just returned with Una from another overnighter, the details of which I’ll share later. However, I did want to point you toward photography of a previous sail taken by a genuine talent, A Girl Named Leney. My post of the trip was basic at best. Her camera evokes the style … and, choose to believe it or not, she’s my daughter. I’m blessed.

I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an organized event so much. Generally I don’t like to be told what to do when, where, or how. And standing in lines … forget it, but this past weekend’s event the Mid Atlantic Small Craft Festival in St. Michaels, MD was a wholly different experience.  It had it all: great weather, good people, terrific food, and … wonderful small boats of all description (+/- 125). Add to that, I enjoyed 4 days of solo time with my youngest boy. Oh, and lest I forget, we won some ribbons! Una was voted runner up in looks and we won our class in the 2 races offered.

the skipper with the loot.

To make a quick and proud victory story, conditions were blustery 15-20 kts. Out of +/-55 boats we were 6th or 7th off the port favored start line. In the shadow of larger boats we tacked to starboard, got fresh air and a lift to windward. Now 3rd to reach the windward mark suddenly the tiller stick exploded. A quick attempt to lash a repair failed as we rounded the mark and clipped the buoy. A second lashing held as we re-rounded the mark falling to boat number 6. A close reaching leg took us to the finish in the harbor. Una planed in the buffs, bout the course ended before realizing any gains. Still, we won our class (double mast boats) by quite a margin. I hadn’t raced in decades and Una thrilled me to no end with her performance. Had we not lost the tiller extension, I’m confident we could have gotten a 2nd overall. I know, if wishes were horses …

We tent camped under the pines on the Chesapeake Maritime Museum grounds. Breakfast and dinners were provided. Some of the best oysters and steamed crabs war Friday night fair. I could go on, suffice it to say that after attending the Annapolis U.S. Sailboat Show for years, I won’t miss it. None of the frenetic hucksterism of that show was present. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for making money, but that is not why I sail and it was refreshing to be away from those trendy and god-awful “living rooms with a stick”. I can’t remember the last Annapolis show where I saw a boat I’d like own (unless it is the diminutive standout Melonseed. When I first noticed them, they were $4,500. Now they ask for $12,000. Ouch! The only trading going on in St. Mikes was a small swap opportunity under a tent Sunday. All in attendance seemed to be good people who love small boat and enjoyed sharing them. So, in no particular order are some images throughout the weekend.

museum sharpie

small leak

Grandpa Checkers

Saturday afternoon

Friendship Sloop

“Canvasback”

“Una” and her specs

vane to be copied?

just a view

good guy

sweet transom

“Elf”

more view

Friendship and pram

New friends Alan, Maryanne and Didi steering “Dark Star”

vintage sailing canoe

George’s Crotch Island Pinky

a Coquina

more canoe

Skin on frame Greenland kayak

boats

pulling boat

young lad’s pond yacht

tank testing

Peter and his Caledonia Yawl “Nip”

boat yard in the tide

hot rod racing skiff

John rigging his CY

Museum’s clinker Melonseed

skipper testing a CLC Petrel Play

messing about in boats

Barry and his beautifully built Melonseed “Aeon”

crew ready to go!

Dale – 1/2 man and 1/2 F-1 kayak.

Dark Star

excellent musicians

skipjack and ferry

oyster tonging

happy sailor

“Aeon” and friends

dory

whery

high class

Sunday morning

skipper with a lashed tiller out for his morning sail

Shelly Moth over fearing

Pictures don’t do it. I was told I wouldn’t know unless I go. Glad I didn’t risk missing it. We’re ready for next year!

This is simply a slide show of photos my daughter took on our little trip to Gwynn Island. She is a professional and has an artistic eye. These images reflect that and the good time we had. One of many memories I aspire to take with UNA. This is a top one for sure. Her site: A Girl Named Leney

my baby

Other baby

At the helm

Popeye

Breakfast

Caffeine

Sunset

Anchor prep

Hors d’oeuvres

radar weather check

AM

Proud builder

Nice end

Perfect afternoon

A beauty

from the beach

in the reeds

driftwood

that girl

there’s Waldo

shelled beach

baby check

morning return

cheese

off watch

chart

just a breath

lazy afternoon

tools of the trade

sweet lines

mizzen set

long boat

From virtually no wind to 15-20 kts, Una’s first overnight was fantastic. Having my daughter along doubled the enjoyment. We left town last Sunday afternoon and put in at the public ramp next to the Seabreeze restaurant on Gwynn Island next to the draw bridge.

Sandy Point marked at Gwynn Island

Skies were bright, but little wisps of air seemed to elude us as we drifted along Milford Haven east to Sandy Point. The tide was with us as we took in the scenery.

The crew.

As we approached Sandy point, the breeze filled in and we had a good beat sounding with the centerboard as we rolled along.  Anchoring in 18″ a water, we waded ashore and explored a nice little beach. Weather was now a perfect 72 with 10 kt breeze.

Bayside beach.

Glamor shot.

Aft view.

Una at anchor.

My girls. My daughter is an accomplished photographer and we spent some time “walking” Una by her bowline to take photos. However, I don’t have those pics yet so, the iPhone will have to do. The light was fantastic. After moving to a 3′ depth, we made a toast to the sunset, made some simple hors d’oevres, and later broke out the cooker for a fine meal of black beans and rice. Stars were infinite away from city lights. Shooters arched across the heavens.  At 2200 we were tucked in sleeping bags and staring at the constellations. Around midnight the winds kicked up near 20 kts. I gave the anchor more scope. Una pranced along. I don’t know how much sleep I got. I may have awake 5 times through the night always amazed by the sky. 30 minutes before sunrise we made coffee and took note of the eastern horizon. The cooker worked great though I may add a windscreen and the pezio ignition that came with the burner element. From the french press the coffee went to a thermos and was still hot late that night. The wind had reversed over the night and the sail back to the ramp was in 12 kts gusting to 20. I had left a ratcheting block at home and lazily cleated the mainsheet as I stood in the cockpit steering. A good gust caught me flat footed and we shipped a little water,  maybe 3 gallons before I rounded up. I’ll leave the report with two observations: 1. this little boat has reintroduced familiar waters in a whole new light. Areas remote to a 6′ draft boat are now accessible to Una. Our cruising grounds have quadrupled! 2. “Square” sails must be sailed looser to windward. Una is not a Laser or Moth and her balanced lug needs breathing room. We were back at the ramp by 0930 hating to leave. A great first cruise, a list of improved details and gear are already in the works. Now we are thinking about attending the Small Craft Festival in St. Michaels, MD. Should be a blast. Never been.