Fishing Bay, just south of the Piakatank River

After a flurry of radio calls about the potential of stronger winds the decision was still to head out at 7:30.  We powered out to the mouth of the Patuxent River and raised the main and were making good time motor sailing along.  We were able to add the genoa when we headed a bit further southwest.  Luckily we crossed the mouth of the Potomac River(which is over 10 miles wide) while the current was ebbing. We know from experience that the Potomac can raise quite a fuss when the wind and current are at odds!  The ride across was relatively smooth and fast.  The winds were strong all day and the temperature had dropped considerably since yesterday, so we were very happy to have our retro-retro fitted enclosure (thanks again John and Betty!)  The McElderrys had given us their old enclosure before our trip to Ft. Myers two winters ago.  We did some jury rigging and made it work. Then we went on had a hard (made out of Starboard) bimini put on Brunelle last year, so I got to work again making it work with the new top.  It's a little rough around the edges, but it does the job.  I have my Sailrite sewing machine along and plan to do some fine tuning along the way.

Here's the rest of the pack: Pekabu III,  Pete and Kathy Bruzik, top left. Ragtime, Gerry and Jeanne
Helldorfer, top right.  Sevilla, Glen and Maurneen Nemecek, bottom left.  Pinnicale, Bob and Ann
Whitcomb, bottom right.  Pinnacle is a Tartan 43 and will have to go outside at times because
their mast is too tall for some of the ICW bridges, especially this fall with all the rain they have
had in the Carolinas.  Sorry their picture is so fuzzy, they were too far away most of the day.

We made the 67 nautical mile trip in under 9 hours.  We hadn't counted on how messy the crossing of the Piankatank River would be!  By the time we got there the tide had turned and the current was running in against the wind. Twas a bumpy ride, but luckily a shorter crossing than the Potomac.  We all anchored as far up as possible in Fishing Bay which gives good protection from a north wind.
Dan had dinghy duty tonight, so he picked up Pete and their lab mix for a potty run for the dogs. They plan to take turns putting the dinghy down to take care of the dogs.

Even earlier start tomorrow! ~~~_/)~~~M&D