Friends

After a busy summer of working and traveling the thought of getting on the water... well you know all that. Steve Earley had tipped me off months back that Webb Chiles would be speaking at the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival. Launched at Backyard Boats in Shady Side, Maryland and crossed the Chesapeake on the way to St. Michaels.

Approaching the shipping channel

Bloody Point Light on the Eastern Shore

Down below

The winds were light and it was taking a good while to get anywhere an anchorage. As the sun set I put on running lights and with darkness we were slowly motoring toward flashing green and red lights strung out a horizontal line that stretched out in the gray, nearly indistinguishable, horizon sky and flat water. The real show was above where the stars were everywhere unfettered by clouds or shore lights.

I don't run lights into the night much anymore. It took me back many years to the Sea Islands of Georgia where identifying "the right one" was like picking out a single light on a Christmas tree.

By 12:30 Annie and I were hooked down in a quiet cove on the Miles River for the night.


Next morning, having tied up at the museum dock, started a four day immersion in one of the best small craft festivals in the country. Scores of beautifully built boats, fun on the water and time spent with old friends and new that I count as some of my best. Oh.. and the food was great. I heartily encourage anyone or family that is interested to try it out next year. Find many pictures here.

Sketching in the small craft exhibit

The return trip was long but uneventful. Annie sailed well and I happily sttered her clear of larger boats (ships)!