A Last Minute Sail

[crazycarl]

Coming across the river on the ferry this afternoon the wind and water looked too inviting to ignore. Once home I put aside working on the Orion. I boarded Miss Adventure with a thermos of ice water and sailed away from our dock. Sailing up Greens creek and back down, we headed up Kershaw creek with the wind almost on our nose. This is my second attempt to see how far up this creek I could get the Compac. Sailing past Madame Blue's slip and the many bays and tributaries we almost made it around "the bend". The bend is where we had to turn around last time as the wind is blocked by the tall fir trees and we were tacking more than sailing. Not good waters to sail, but with all the little coves and tributaries, it's a kayaker's heaven. Making the turn we sailed down wind with me in my favorite position. Slouched low against the stern rail. However this doesn't allow me to see all those pesky crab pots and the gold tee holding the ever buoyant Rudder Craft rudder down broke when it struck a buoy. We made our way into the still waters of a cove and replaced the tee. Now sailing down Greens creek towards the bridge once again the rudder kicked up. Since I couldn't find another tee, we sailed up Smith creek to the wildlife ramps were after furling the genny in, I made a perfect 180 and gently placed the portside up against the floating docks. Of course there are only witnesses when I slam against the dock. Climbing down the stern ladder I tightened the rudder bolt and thought how maybe I could attach a bungee to keep the rudder down. My nest stop was to be the town docks where I could walk across the street for some ice cream and coffee, but along with extra gold tees, I failed to bring my wallet. As we sailed away from the docks, the darkening sky started to let loose a very fine drizzle and I decided to head home. On the way back up Greens creek I met with neighbors Jason and Bob as they sailed Jason's 30' Morgan down the creek toward the bridge and open water. As always, the wind started to fail as we approached our little cove and the propane outboard got us back dockside.

Our route and as far up Kershaw creek we could get today.