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Janes Island ~ Bright Sun, Big Downwind

 Harris with a tailwind in Mabu

 

It’s now gusting over 20 knots, and waves are building quickly. With the second reef tied in, and the chicken jibe out of the way, we have the wind and waves spanking us in the backside. Essentially this is now a five boat drag race across the river, all running for the mouth of the canal.

We’re way out ahead because we started first, but the other boats are coming really fast. It’s not a dead downwind run, which is no fun, but a very broad reach. Still, the Caledonia is amazingly well-behaved. This is probably the biggest wind Harris has had the boat in so far, and I can tell he’s both nervous about how she’ll handle and pleased with the results. Whitecaps are starting to break around us, charging in from the Sound.

 

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Janes Island ~ Bright Sun, Big Wind

Harris at the tiller of Mabu 

 

Unlike last time we were here, there is no argument over which direction we’ll go today: North. The wind will continue out of the Northwest – sensible in the morning but build steadily throughout the day to something very unsensible. I’ve always heard old sailors say the wind is strongest on the backside of a cold front. This prediction bears that out.

Based on the forecast, I plan to explore the marshes inside Janes Island in the Melonseed, staying clear of big water, but Harris suggests I ride with him. He has a sparkling new Caledonia Yawl, Mabu, bulit by Geoff Kerr of Two Daughters Boatworks in Maine. Sounds good to both of us. I’ll be free to take photos again, and he might like two sets of hands when the wind pipes up, especially in a new ride. Continue reading “Janes Island ~ Bright Sun, Big Wind”

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Janes Island ~ Amphibious Interlude

 

They’ve redone all the bathrooms at the park. Now they’re nicer than we have at home. Pretty sad when taking the wife for a camping trip is a step up in the world.

So nice, that critters have taken up residence. This little fellow greeted us in the showers in the morning. I stood in the door to the stall, staring at this thing on the wall, trying to get my half-caffeinated brain to register what it was. Too compact for a spider. Shiny and green. Are any spiders shiny and green?

It moved. It dropped with a plop. A Green Tree Frog,  Hyla cinerea, and a pretty big one. Dude was having a tough go of it. Scalding hot water would probably do him in. I scooped him up and put him in the shaving kit while the cleansing operation proceeded.

 

 

Turned him loose by the campsite. He took a shine to the water jug before heading off into the woods.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Janes Island ~ Clearing, Crabs & Crescents

 Shore Pines

Within two hours of docking in gusty grey drizzle, the sky is swept clear of clouds and blue as the deep end of a swimming pool. The cold front that brought the rain has pushed it all out ahead of it. We have a completely different day. All that remains is the wind, which blows unabated.

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Janes Island ~ Waterskiing and Grey Sailing

becalmed in Daugherty Creek Canal 

 

This is how the day begins: It is 11am on a grey and blustery Friday, and I’m am waterskiing down Daugherty Creek Canal behind a Marsh Cat. Actually, it begins with coffee and loading and launching, but whatever. I have this catboat Comfort by the tail and I’m waterskiing. In a Melonseed. That’s the important part.

All night and well past dawn, the wind blew at 25 knots out of the NNW. It’s blowing from the Bay, tearing across the marsh. The tents flap and billow, making sleep fitful.

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Janes Island ~ Marsh Stars

click to open larger

 

Took a walk along the canal around midnight. Lights across the Bay glow on the horizon.

After all the wind and all the rain, it’s so still and so clear the Milky Way is reflected in the surface of the water.

 

 

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Janes Island ~ Bridges and Bivalves

Oyster Farm – Franktown, Virginia 

 

I did not account for reburying the family cat.

When MASCF got cancelled due to really, really bad weather for only the second time in 25 years (talkin to you Joaquin), a number of us found ourselves with boats and gear loaded with nowhere to go. We organized a consolation trip to the Eastern Shore within two weeks – four days of camping and sailing near Crisfield.

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