Preppin'

Annie and I are leaving for a fall sail early next Wednesday. Have started to pack gear ... tested  motor this morning, running well. Planning to make it a work/pleasure trip. Need new sketches for studio paintings.

Found a marina in Shady Side, south of Annapolis on the western shore to launch from. Weather is looking pretty good. Steve is heading out of Cambridge on the Eastern Shore this weekend. I'll be watching out for three sails on the horizon. Plan to sail over and attend the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival in St. Michaels, Maryland on the weekend.

While in Solomons, Maryland on the buyboat cruise a few weeks ago, Vera and I noticed an old photo of John England and me from a small craft meet we attended years ago. See them and many more old friends soon...

John (with ultralight) and I, St. Marys City, c. 1990

"Once I dream it, I can build it"

That's a quote by Frances Goddard, storied boatbuilder from Piney Point, Maryland. He has built untold Chesapeake workboats over the last 60 years. He told me there are well over a hundred documented vessels. They include the skipjacks Connie Francis and the Dee of St. Marys, the latter has recently joined the preserved in-water craft at the Calvert Marine Museum. A few weeks back I had the pleasure of talking with Frances at Calvert where I curated in the late 80s and early 90s. I have long had a photograph of him from '83 over my desk.

At Calvert

Frances Goddard and the Connie Frances