Fabulous Fall!

With temps nearing 70F and plenty of wind in the forecast, we had to get underway!  We decided to head to a new anchorage in Whithall Bay outside of Annapolis.  After a great start, it got super gusty at the mouth of the Severn and we got to experience our first round-up!  I lost some skin on my hand while trying to ease the mainsheet, but otherwise we did well.  We even saw 8kts through the water under reefed sails!  Woo hoo!  😬

We took the tight entrance to Whitehall Creek very slowly and toured past the marina before turning around and settling on a spot in Ridout Creek for the night.  It was a really great spot that afforded us opportunities for paddling and dinghy rides.

Today brought more adventurous sailing! After a peaceful morning we got underway and got to see our first 25kt gusts again at the mouth of the Severn.  With a scrap of genoa up we managed to make between 5 and 6 kts the whole way back.  The timing put us back home with only a +0.25' tide.  That, combined with the stiff breeze on the beam, led us to decide to drop the hook outside the marina while we wait for the tide to come up a little.  We will get underway shortly, and return home to clean the mud and salt off the boat and carve pumpkins!

Football and Ghoul Sailing

We decided to take advantage of a Living Social deal to take the kids to a Naval Academy football game against the Citadel's arch rival, VMI.  It's been 5 years since they've been to a game!  Since it's also boat show weekend in Annapolis we were really torn on how to get there--put up with the crowds of drivers or the crowds on the water.  I'm so happy we picked the latter!  We got an early start Friday and dropped the hook in Weems Creek just after sunset.  We were right by the dinghy tie-up closest to the stadium!  Rain moved in overnight and through Saturday morning, but it was still great.  Board games, video games, and cooking made for a relaxing start to the day.

After lunch we headed ashore to watch USNA whoop VMI, 51-14.  I think the kids liked it!

Today we enjoyed a nice sail most of the way home.  We love sailing with the Halloween decor up, and even got hailed on CH16 as "Spider Boat" once!  Heading home under power now.  Have to get these kids to school tomorrow so the parents can hit the boat show!