Cruise Week 1 Sailed Away Across the Bay!
Friday, June 27th
– Cool Change II headed out of Hampton Roads for Jackson Creek.
We had a nice sail up the Bay and anchored and then took the dinghy over
to the New Point Comfort Lighthouse for a quick look around.
Our very own Mascot, Maggie Dog was quite impressed with the cool breeze
offered inside the lighthouse. We
were met with Bella Gianna and Venture already at anchor when we arrived at
Jackson Creek. We welcome Randy and Belinda of Venture as they cruise with us
for the first time.
Saturday, June 28th,
Jackson Creek, Deltaville Marina – Hampton Roads Fleet 30 began to arrive
throughout the day. Cool Change
headed into town for some supplies and began to get ready for the evening.
Cocktails were had by the pool and sparkly wands were passed out.
11 boats showed up to start off the festivities, E joined by Airborne,
Cinderella II, Thrillseeker, Escapade, Querencia, Mi Vida, Bella Gianna,
Venture, Cool Change II, and Adagio (by car).
A quick storm blew through followed by a beautiful rainbow afterward.
Sunday, June 29th,
Carter’s Creek, Tides Inn – Boats pulled into the Lodge and the group
gathered by the pool during the day. We
were joined by Celebration and U Never Know and the next day Sunny Daze.
Dinner was on your own, but we wanted to mention that ours was superb at
the Tide’s Inn Restaurant.
Monday, June 30th,
Corrottoman River, Frank and Grace Ann Miller’s house, (Windblown) – We were
joined by Genesis that day, and Adagio by power boat. What a beautiful anchorage and tie up at the Miller’s!
What a beautiful home and such gracious hospitality.
They let the fleet use their grill, kitchen, patio and yard for some
great visiting opportunities and a beautiful sunset. In appreciation, those of
us present wrote a little message of thanks to Frank and Grace Ann and put them
in a bottle which was presented to them after dinner.
Once again THANKS Frank and Grace Ann! Later
that evening, Mi Vida pulled out its stargazing equipment and most of the guys
had a great time helping Steve play with his new toy.
Tuesday, July 1,
Urbanna, City Dock – We headed for Urbanna the next day, where we were joined
once again by Sunny Daze. The day was spent touring the town and finding ways to
stay cool. Getting ice was the main focus and sitting in the shady area of the
city dock. Some of the Fleet headed
for dinner in town, some for their boats and some stayed on the dock and ordered
pizza. There was even time for a
quick game of Farkle on Cinderella II afterward.
Wednesday, July 2,
Regatta Point, Dozier’s Marina – We had some of the group leave early for
Crisfield via Tangiers Island. It
was a quick sail into Dozier’s and a gorgeous day.
Much of the afternoon was spent by the pool visiting, sunning and punning
around. Dinner that evening was
inside the Marina Lodge, Potluck. It
was also a certain distinguished gentleman’s birthday.
A German chocolate cake, cards, and many well wishes were extended to
Dave Olson. Afterward there was a
movie, which was enjoyed by all there.
Thursday, July 3rd,
Crisfield Maryland, Somer’s Cove Harbor Marina – The weather was predicted
to kick up a little spray that day and two boats ventured out across the Bay, Mi
Vida and Cool Change II. The sail
across was great and all went well until Cool Change got to the first red marker
entering the Crisfield channel. She
was hot and furious from running across the Bay that day and she let out a
temper tantrum and stopped her engine. The
winds had been building the last two hours and were about 30 knots.
The channel was narrow with rocks on the port side and shallows on the
starboard. Nevertheless, Cool Change was guided by a divine hand and
sailed all the way into the harbor with the main and a reefed jenoa.
As Jim was pulling in the mainsail, Laurie was still sailing into the
narrow channel with warehouses and docks on either side.
She kept sailing until Jim got the headsail down and miraculously started
the motor. Then Cool Change had to corkscrew around the Tangier Island
Ferry and Quantum Leap’s bow. All this is still in 30 knot winds.
Jim managed to land her perfectly into her berth and calmly tied her up
amid cheers from the rest of the fleet who helped manhandle the lines into
submission. We were joined by the
rest of Cruise Week 2, Rest Stop, Sanity II, Quantum Leap, Poquito, Sandy Sea,
Carina, E, and Querencia (from Tangiers Island), Laissez Faire, Celestial,
Adagio (aboard Adagio), Magic Moment, some of the Great Bridge Club, Hydeaway,
Miles Away, and several more. Cocktails were under the pavilion followed by dinner in town
and later dancing at the Tiki Bar. Wow!
What a great day!
Friday, July 4th,
Crisfield Maryland, Somer’s Cove Harbor Marina – The day was spent with
several of the men looking over Cool Change II to size up the overheating
situation. They fixed a couple of
sprung hoses in no time. We were
joined by Longwinded, (by land) and the next day U Never Know.
The rest of the day was spent at the pool, shopping in town for the
evening event and getting ready for the evening.
There were about 40 – 45 friends who attended the cookout for dinner
that evening as we extended our invitation to our Great Bridge Club friends.
There were burgers and dogs on the grill, plenty of side dishes and
plenty to quench the thirst with. We
spent a brief time with thank yous and honored our fair leader with a memento
for his outstanding work and dedication to the club.
Afterward we played the silly game “Bailing the Bilge”.
The guys won, but yours truly did detect some attempts at foul play.
We weren’t sure if there would be fireworks as it clouded over and a
huge storm was about to come through, however, the Marina office assured
everyone the show would go on as planned. A
heavy storm howled through and was over in no time.
Sure enough the light show went on as planned with only a 20 minute
delay. Afterward, special friends,
Gail and Richard form Magic Moment entertained us with a great song about how
much $$ Sailing Saves a Person, sung to the tune of “Come Monday”. It was a hoot! Thank
you Gail and Richard!
Saturday, July 5th,
Jackson Creek, Deltaville Marina – Everyone set sail and safely arrived at
Jackson Creek that afternoon. There
the whole cruising fleet was back together with Cinderella II, Thrillseeker, and
Venture. We spent the day at the
pool and later had a potluck cookout, a chocolate birthday cake for Randy
Fowlkes of Venture, some great visiting time and a couple of group pictures.
It was time to get some rest and set sail for home and get ready for the
next cruise.
We hope to see you
all at the next event, the Night Sail at Willoughby Harbor Marina on July 26.
and the Labor Day Cruise Race at Jackson Creek!
Keep
Cruising the Bay!
Jim
and Laurie Dombey
Cool Change II