Schooners across the horizon
At 4am, the sky over Baltimore Harbor glows pink and bruised, like dirty cotton candy. It’s foggy and raining, and I am in search of coffee. I find it at a 7-11 which, despite the name, is open all night.
A Short Fall ~ Sailing with T
Aeon at rest after a good run.
My desk faces two big windows. In the afternoon, the sun slants across the porch and peeks in. There’s a wisteria vine curtain that waves coyly if there’s any wind, and through the gaps are red and yellow maples that join in, shimmering. Further off still are woods, then mountains, a ripple of blue-greyed horizon, like distant surf. Makes it hard to get work done sometimes.
Tuesday was a beautiful day, a breezy day. I ignored it successfully and regretfully until it was too late to do anything with. Yesterday was much the same, though, and two in a row is just unfair. The Schooner Race posts will just have to wait a bit longer. Terri has her weekends in the middle of the week, so we loaded up Aeon and headed for big water, back to the Chickahominy. (Caesura gets no love until she muscles her way onto the trailer.)
Schooner Race 2011 ~ Parade Video
Rain. Wind. A tipping and rolling platform. Not exactly ideal conditions for shooting video.
On the other hand, it really gives you a reasonable feel for what it’s like to be on board. Controlled chaos, interspersed with moments of odd tranquility.
Short Video of the Race Start
Just a quick grab with the phone.
Chickahominy Sunset Sail
Beautiful early autumn days here now, four in a row. We’ve spent them preparing for Winter. One day it was masks and hazmat suits, adding another 8 inch blanket of insulation in the attic. Nasty, dirty, miserable work. The next day, also beautiful, was loading, hauling, unloading, then stacking just over 3 tons of firewood under the porch roof next to the house. We’ll get at least one more ton before we’re done, and the dry wood will be all gone. Sore this morning.
MASCF ~ Quiet Evening Sail
Ghosting on the Miles River
For many who bring boats to the festival, Friday is the best day. All the boats are there, and friends, but the crowds haven’t arrived yet. It’s the most relaxing day if you get there early enough. A few people even manage to get there on Thursday, stretching that bliss out a little longer.
Wet Test Number 3 – First Sail
Aeon’s cream sail, looking fine against a stormy sky
Big day. T and I snuck out for a quick sail.
And.
It.
Was,
Awesome.