The Salt Pondians

A wonderful excursion from Salt Ponds to home plate.  Northeast wind tailed us all the way home.  Cruised across the channel and then west over the tunnel.  Sustained by intense pretzel nuggets filled with peanut butter.  New functionality discovered on GPS to provide direct steerage to destination, however, care required to ensure no portage across land is required.  Deep discussion of the potential for future medical R&B captains ensued.

The Matador's Cape

Again encountered one of the Yang Ming fleet, this time outbound.  These folks are everywhere.  Nice reach back into the marina.  Knee-padded Doc at the helm executed some wonderful matadorial curves around the six million crab pots to resounding "ole's". Defly executed 360 during sail take-down as Doc guided us smoothly into our home slip.

Smooth first sail of the season riding a tailwind up to Salt Ponds. Lots of jibe practice. Warm sunny Spring wowser. Doc v. Doc on tiller.  An unplanned jibe caught the attention and cheek of the she-Salt Pondian who demonstrated calm bravado and aplomb in response. Kept an eagle eye on one of the Yang Ming fleet ("Teamwork, Innovation, Honesty, and Pragmatism.") probably with a Dollar Tree load inbound to NIT. Cruised into Marina at high tide.   S.Ponds itself was NORDO due to previous night lightning strike.  Earlysville crew got the full experience and celebrated later at the Surfrider on Hampton Creek.

The tillerman bears close watching

A robust and energized 5-person boarding party joined the Blue Captain for a warm, overcast afternoon on the lower Bay.  Riding a rising tide and 10 kt winds from the NE, the R&B was underway before 1400.  We quickly raised sail (working jib) with the youngest crew member at the helm and enjoyed a brisk 2.5 hour tour of Willoughby Bay and Thimble Shoals Channel (vicinity of bell buoy No. 3).  

Many rapid fire orders were issued by the youthful helmsman in Nederlands language. Each was matched with quick action by the responsive although somewhat outspoken crew.  Doubts were frequently voiced about the tillerman's stability and judgment.  Controversial events from family history were revisited. There were periodic threats to throw selected members of the crew overboard.  However, it was clear this was a team, bonded together by humor and affection.  A joy to watch and hear.  

Points of sail were translated from one language to another. A possible NKor spy ship disguised as the Judith Ann head boat was observed. The crew saluted the 94K ton bulk-carrier MS Nymphe (Athens) inbound to Lambert's Point.  Rations of tasty sandwiches, small tomatoes and vino blanco were issued by the Cook to wide acclaim.  At last, the R&B cruised home to an uneventful return to port.

Kicked off the 2013 season as Met Man Mike's Sibling and BIL joined the Salt Ponds crowd for a fine morning sail in Willoughby Bay.  Underway around 9:30 with a fair SSW breeze.  The usual first day hijinks ensued - gas tank relief valve too tight, port jibsheet took wings (poor bowline), bonk on noggin from unplanned jibe, spilt brewski, lost hat, pressurized bladders.  Eventually things settled down to a demonstration of excellent helmsman awareness by BIL-Tim and Doc, neatly skirting through the crab pot obstacle course at speeds just short of R&B warp.  The day was saved by positive attitudes, chips and creamy dips from the Peninsula, and good humor all round.  Capped off by a visit to Sunset Grille.  We're ready for summer.  It started yesterday.

Tarheels in the Cockpit

Smashing afternoon sail with North Carolina crew including first timer.  Fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner and break in the cold weather emboldened the out of towners to put to sea.  Underway from NS Norfolk Marina at about 1440 into a 5 kt WSW wind  Cruised up to TS channel with a few other sailors in view and then back as the wind steadily increased.  Enjoyed the setting sun and brisk breeze in low traffic conditions.  Nattily dressed Dr at the helm from start to finish with The Rev handling the sheets.  Smoot RTB at around 5.  Christened the head with first lady customer.

Blue and Gold Captains bid farewell to Salt Ponds with a view of Doc on the Dock waving godspeed. Underway at 1045 we motored ahead of a 3 foot swell and 20 knot NE wind  Enjoyed some spread eagle time on the foredeck wrestling with  the jib  Arrived at home base around 1330 just as the rain started to fall..  Lunch at Chili's.

Underway with a crew of two around 1 p.m. for a lazy sail up to Salt Ponds. Target: the Burwellian Seafood Fest. Wind from SW at 10+ with a following sea. Eased up to TS channel and then over to the fishing fleet east of Ft. Wool. A few inadvertant jibes later and we were skimming north across the channel past Ft. Monroe and Buckroe. Lack of sustenance became of factor so some prostration to the tunes of JT's best helped to ease the quease. Turned into Salt Ponds around 2:45 p.m. arriving to cheers from the triple deck resort crowd on Channel Lane and a welcome Gator Flag. All turned out quite well in the end after a few Horse's Necks, Jack the chompin' cheerleader, some shrimp and fish, and a brilliant victory over the Cajun Tigers.