Very warm day with light winds from the northwest did not deter three intrepid sailors from cruising around western Willoughby Bay for a few sunny hours. Multinational duo in from Norway quickly picked up on the R&B routine. Stayed just above the sweltering zone. Enjoyed the afternoon Naval Base Helo Show including dipping, hovering, and generally racing around madly. Even got a boost from a flyby that pushed us along for a few minutes. USS Enterprise provided a convenient marker for tacks and jibes. Ed B proved a solid helmsman and Tonje seemed to enjoy the sun and water, mastering the port side stern line drop off and retrieval.

Stirring Friday afternoon on the water. Mrs. Walters superhuman speed to retrieve overboard fender while motoring out was a positive harbinger of things to come. Good cruising in fine winds from the NE got us up on the rails in no time. Once in Willoughby Bay, Mrs. Walters showed instinctive promise at the helm while simultaneously slicing a lime or two for the Coronas, taking a few shots with her I-Phone 4 and all the while keeping one hand on the tiller and one eye on the crab pots. The Captains were left with nothing else to do but admire the lowering sun.

The Beach Boys on a rampage. Made it up to 7.5 knots on an early day sail.

Underway around 9:45 on a mostly sunny day with increasing wind from the east. Gold captain kindly set up the boat. Enjoyed company of two visitors from Winston with the Dr. at the helm. Weather started out hot and calm, so we motored out to Thimble Shoals Channel where the breeze picked up just enough on a rising tide. Ended up between 2 and 3 knots tacking NE and SE. Good-size pod of dolphins and later a turtle. Got a clear view of the RFS Adm Chabanenko (DD 650) transiting outbound for Exercise FRUKUS 2011. Also passed by a large utility boat the WEXTAP. Enjoyed the cold drinks as we drifted around staying just out above scorching speed. Back to marina at 11:30.