Dividing Creek, St. Michaels, and the Magothy River October 22-25, Splendor in Maine

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1 Volume 13, Number 2 The Official Newsletter of The Sailing Club, Inc. Fall Dividing Creek, St. Michaels, and the Magothy River October 22-25, 2004 The wind in my hair Blows from where I ne'er been To where I'll ne'er go. by Rob Chichester and Dave Steward I know this is not true for everyone, but the October Trip is both the climax and the culmination of my sailing season. I look forward to it with the same zeal with which I promote the event. In some ways that may set one up for disappointment but the Chesapeake Bay has rarely disappointed me. This trip was no exception. Nearly everyone was at his or her designated marina Thursday afternoon. The Rock Hall crowd mostly headed to Waterman s, which has returned from being wiped out by Hurricane Isobel last year. The crab cakes were just as good and the beer just as cold as we had remembered. The Annapolis crews dispersed to Carrol s Creek Café, the Chart House, and other establishments near their marina. Following a late skippers meeting, boats slipped their lines and headed down the bay. Everyone was underway by about 11:15 in the morning. The Eastern Shore group went through Kent Narrows in two groups, making different openings of the drawbridge. The Annapolis gang head southeast before turning northeast around Bloody Point. The winds were fresh and there were plenty of opportunities to fill the sails with the autumn winds. My crew sailed into Shaw Bay before furling sails. We were the core of the raft and we had to get into Dividing Creek first. Nine boats became one fairly quickly. The raft grew smoothly by adding boats to each side simultaneously. As each crew arrived, they ooh-ed and ah-ed at the beauty of this undeveloped creek. (Continued on page 7) Splendor in Maine By Lillian Parsons Truly, a first for The Sailing Club was a windjammer cruise off the coast of Maine. There were 22 individuals signed up for the trip that began Monday, September 13, 2004 until Saturday, September 18, We were to board our vessel, the magnificent Victory Chimes, Sunday evening after dinner, between 6 and 8 p. m. Our first meal aboard the schooner would be breakfast Monday morning before setting out for Rockport Harbor and forward on to Penobscot Bay. It was an experience to board and explore this 170-foot wooden boat that had been carefully tended throughout the years. There were some that had arranged in advance to have a private suite with their own head; one suite even had a library. Other sailors had private cabins designed for two occupants, and, as luck would have it, there were just enough private cabins for each of us to have our own cabin. While not enormous, it was comfortable, with a porthole and a sink. The head was down the hall to get there, one had just to follow the red Oriental rug, and there you were. Showers were on deck, and a bit more of a hassle to navigate since you had to first determine when it was available. Once in the shower, it was bliss! We got to know new club members who had joined specifically to be on this trip. Ann Karas from The Hamptons, Dotty Kirby Kettley from In This Issue (Continued on page 2) Dividing Creek 1 Splendor in Maine 1 Getting Closer to the Water 2 Commodore s Column 3 Pictures, Pictures, Pictures 5 Club Calendar Back Page

2 Getting Closer to the Water by Cliff Rimpo The club is always looking for ways to experience sailing in the broader sense of the word, and to take advantage of as much of the water-world around us as possible. Well canoeing may just fit the bill! Our 'Basic First Aid' and 'Adult CPR' instructors from the Greater Somerset County American Red Cross are also very accomplished canoeing instructors and enthusiasts! So if you don't know how to canoe or are a 'rusty' paddler, help is at hand. Several club members took instruction this past June that culminated in a day trip on the South Branch of the Raritan River. It was a great day on the water, as well as an opportunity to practice onwater rescue techniques for 'Fundamentals of Canoeing' Red Cross certification. Our Red Cross instructors of many years, Norm and Mary Anne Danielsen, excelled in their training, equipment and facilities for learning. The program included 3 evening classes, with canoes provided, at their home in Piscataway bordering the Raritan River; in addition to the day-trip. Keep your eye open for the possibility of a canoe trip in And remember, June is the month for training. So if you are new to the sport or just want to brush up on your skills, consider contacting Norm and Mary Anne at (732) , and learn more about the Red Cross certification programs and canoeing trips. Canoeing can be considered a great addition to club activities, as it allows for day trips and can be done locally with minimum expenditure for equipment (canoe rentals are reasonable). There are many river venues for New Jersey club members too, including the Meadowlands in Hudson County! Norm tells us that 'Advanced Canoeing' instruction is very popular. It includes two weekends on the Delaware River in August, and can lead to whitewater instruction and trips. Kayak instruction is available too. 2 Splendor in Maine (Continued from page 1) nearby Damarascotta, Maine, Rusty and Trish Hanna, from Mendham, New Jersey, as well as John Gareri and Ellen O Brien, both Westborough, Massachusetts residents. John had been on a previous club trip and was anxious to experience a windjammer. We met Canadian neighbors, Perry and Gloria Basden from Toronto. They were very instrumental in providing nighttime entertainment with the introduction of a game many could participate in. One fine evening, we had entertainment by Julie and Stu Conway, narrating with slides their fabulous sailing trip around the world, sporting their flaring garments. So wonderful of them to share their experiences with us. Our hosts carefully attended to every detail on the ship. The crew was outstanding in following their procedures so that it was transparent to us when they performed their tasks in setting the table for meals in the galley, and cleaning up afterward. Lunch was served on deck Photo by J. Gareri each day in glorious sunshine. This was in reality a vacation where there was nothing to do but relax and enjoy. The The Official Newsletter of The Sailing Club, Inc. 19 Budd Lake Hts. Rd., Budd Lake, NJ Steven Krakauer, Editor (Continued on page 4) The Sailing Club Board Officers Commodore Dave Steward Vice-Commodore Jon Stufflebeem Membership Secretary Tom Davies Treasurer Cliff Rimpo Charter Liaison Laura Lauglin Past Commodore Cecile McKenzie Members at Large Joe Brozek, Julie Conway, Jeff Hamer, Steve Krakauer Clara Matejka, Vic Oburg, Lillian Parsons, Doal Sanderson Jane Schumann and Larry Sherwood. Please send all newsletter submissions to: Steve Krakauer, 11 Clark Court, Basking Ridge, NJ news@thesailingclub.org

3 Commodore s Corner On Sailing and Time P. Davis Steward The problem with sailing., the gentleman standing next to me in line quipped, is that it takes too long to get someplace! The man had one of those weathered and leathered faces, not uncommon to someone who has spent many years out in the fields of a farm, or one who has seen many days on the water as either a waterman or bayman. He concluded by saying, And, when you want to be somewhere, you want to be there! I looked up (I often have to look up), gave the man a smile, desperately wanted to say, Don t YOU have to BE somewhere? but I didn t. What I did say was neither provocative nor inspirational. When it comes to sailing, I stated, the passage is my somewhere, and I want to be there. The guy gives me one of those what-kind-of-drugs-you-on-dude looks, orders his beer and disappears in the crowd. All this, after the man made a simple inquiry about the name on my hat The Sailing Club. One just never knows where a conversation may lead. Now, contrast this with a non-verbal communication I had with an older (Older is now someone in their 80 s for me) gentleman several years past. It was a beautiful August day, warm, soon to be hot, and I had strategically parked my stern on the foredeck of a 43 foot FP catamaran off the T-dock in Spa Creek overlooking the Naval Academy. Colors had just sounded on the grounds somewhere meaning Old Glory had met another day. The sun was warming my face and I had a good cup of Jo at the ready. From inside the creek I noticed a Catalina 25 making her way slowly out toward the bay. A dog was pacing the foredeck, and an old salt manned the tiller as the outboard moved them along. The jib was laid out on the foredeck, hanked and ready to be hauled, mainsail uncovered but still tied, and there were gerry cans of water and extra fuel made fast to the shrouds. The boat matched the old guy well; being slightly worn and somehow leathery looking. You know what I mean. As he got closer our eyes met. He quickly surveyed my surroundings and a very warm smile crossed his face. As quickly as his smile erupted, his right arm gently rose over his head, and with a graceful sweep from left to right the arm seemingly communicated it s all here for us look at it, savor it, sail it! Nary was a word spoken. We saluted one another, and as quickly as all of this happened he was gone. How could slow seem so fast? The Sailing Club affords us all wonderful memories of being somewhere or there. The next time you re on the water savor it, beg your skipper to stay there just a little bit longer because the real there will happen soon enough. Don t look at me that way! Fair winds, Dave 3

4 Splendor in Maine (Continued from page 2) voyage was a perfect time to socialize and get to know other club members well. Along sharing the peace and romance of this schooner were Jack & Helen Buckley, Vic & Kathy Oburg, Don & Suzanne Wain, Stu & Julie Conway, Frank & Nancy Muhaw, Andre Casanova, Steven Wain, and Lillian Parsons. What was to enjoy? The weather was perfect all week the fog rolled in the last day of our journey, with its attendant rain. We hightailed it back to anchor near the dock so as not to get caught up in what was announced on the ships radio as the tail end of Hurricane Ivan. The food was bountiful and exceptionally first-rate, all home made, with natural foods indigenous to New England. One night we ate turkey, one evening we had lobster, there was a fish night, as well as meatballs and sausage another evening. And the homemade desserts were to die for. The cook was clever in making good use of everything in her kitchen. There wasn't one person that didn't weigh in at least five pounds more at the end of our journey. The only task we were charged with was helping to raise and lower the sails once daily. Our Commodore Dave has often wished us Fair Winds. We did have Fair Winds to carry us throughout the many islands in the harbor. It was providential to have those fair winds since the Victory Chimes did not have a motor, but did have a powerful yawl boat, ready to give a push when winds don t cooperate. Photo by J. Gareri Those that wished to go ashore in the dinghy explored three islands. On one island, we were able to walk about a mile to explore a lighthouse; another island had a fair with calypso - type music and refreshments available, all the while welcoming the Windjammers. A big treat was to view other windjammers. On Tuesday there was a wooden boat sailby, where about 15 vessels congregated in the harbor to parade before each other. The sight was stunning. Throughout the remaining days and evenings with fabulous sunsets, we could see other windjammer vessels nearby, most with double masts. The Victory Chimes was a three-masted vessel. Nighttime stargazing was a treat. The Milky Way was really milky, since in the middle of the harbor, there was no light pollution to mar our stargazing. The Sailing Club, Inc. has renewed its partnership with the BoatU.S. Cooperating Group Program. Because of this partnership, Sailing Club members can receive 50% off BoatU.S. dues when you join or renew with them. Regular BoatU.S. dues are $19.00, but through this arrangement you pay only $9.50. A few of the benefits to you through this program are: Discounts on fuel, overnight slips, or repairs at over 600 marinas. On-the-water towing, with a choice of service levels through TowBoatU.S. A full year's subscription to BoatU.S. magazine. A catalogue with member rewards and special discounts on equipment. Boat insurance. If you are interested in renewing or becoming a new member with BoatU.S., be sure to refer to our Group Number: GA82513S 4

5 October 2004 Photos by Betty Grieve Lake Champlain Photos by Alex Nislick 5

6 Rally Prep Photos by Vic Oburg Sneak Peak at the Florida Trip Photos by Joel Mack 6

7 Dividing Creek (Continued from page 1) The queen was on her throne and her mantle was a long colorful panorama that could not have been more beautiful if it had been painted by an artist. In this case, the queen is autumn and her throne was the Chesapeake Bay. At the shoreline of Dividing Creek, the reds and golds just beginning among the trees spilled onto the water as if the artist s brush lay seeping color at the water s edge. There were no buildings visible anywhere only trees and local wildlife. Only two other boats shared our harbor this night. In the morning, a photographer motored up to the raft. He explained he was from Chesapeake Bay magazine and that staff members were on a boat in an adjacent cove. They had heard our frivolity and mirth even at that distance. They were compelled to investigate the source of all the singing and merry-making. After a set of photos and the taking of names, the gentleman set off to rejoin his colleagues. We all made preparations for getting underway. Some boats wanted to go straight into St. Michaels to enjoy the town and its Fall Festival. Others (like Dave and me) wanted to ride the wind as long as possible. Our only limitation was getting into the marina in time to pay for all 8 slips. Our boats galloped down to Bloody Point before we turned around to head back to St. Michaels. We did not drop sail until we reached the mouth of the Miles River. The warm showers and a hearty repast were welcome treats. Some danced the night away at one of the local establishments. Others sought a television to watch the World Series. Many heeded the call of their bunks. Ironically, the boats bucked and rocked more in their slips than when we were anchored out the night before. The next day dawned with a pink and orange glow on the horizon. Those who had the fortitude to waken early caught the ends of a rainbow arcing over the town. Then the clouds lowered and light rain began to fall. Concerned about the lack of good sailing conditions, most skippers decided to stay in port one more night. It was said to be cold and drizzly all day in St. Michaels. Some of those who stayed attended the Jack Russell Terrier Races that were part of the weekend s Fall Festival. Later, the five crews assembled to discern a winner in the Scavenger Hunt. There was great amusement and wide smiles at the creativity of some of the entries for the 40 items on the scavenger list. In the end, the crew of Wind Song (Captain McKenzie) took the prize with 28 out of 40 items. The party disbanded only when the hotel bar closed and everyone was in pain from the sidesplitting laughter during the judging. Earlier Captains Steward, Buckley, and Chichester followed their crews out onto the water to discover yet one more destination (the majority had judged that by leaving, the three crews forfeit the Scavenger Hunt.) The three had chosen the Magothy River for the night. The rain had virtually ended before we left the harbor. Indeed it was possible to see Key Bridge in Baltimore from Love Point. Weather reports of NE winds overnight made a return to Broad Creek (from last year s October trip) a comfortable decision. Once we rafted, we convened a cocktail party in the cockpit of Cat s Paw (my boat). Yes it CAN hold 17 people, even with the wraparound eisenglass. Each crew dined on its respective boat and the evening closed quietly. In the end, the winds were at most light and variable overnight and we all rode peacefully on one anchor or the other all night. The short sail back to each of our homeports provided an opportunity for leisurely must-go breakfasts. Some took the time to pack their bags before we hoisted anchor. The crew of Irish Rover transferred Stacy to Cat s Paw to allow her ride back to New Jersey with Jane and Wayne. Rob and Dave bid farewell by radio at Baltimore Light as the former turned east and the latter turned south. A short hour later, we began to see boats from St. Michaels heading up Swan Point Channel towards Rock Hall. We took our turns at the fuel dock and then executed the debarkation procedures specified by the charter company. It had been a great trip. As I said at the start, I was not disappointed. We were getting an early start home. Already the reminiscing had begun. 7

8 Tentative Schedule for 2005 Dates May Memorial Day June July Late July/Early August September October 8-10 Late October Location On-Water Training Two-Day Intro Rally Small Boat Day, Barnegat Bay Havre De Grace Vancouver, BC Chesapeake Bay A Week in Deltaville, and beyond c/o Krakauer 11 Clark Court Basking Ridge, NJ 07920