Gone Sailing!

Weather: Blustery (20 knots), partly cloudy 2 to 4 foot chop in Hawk Channel.

Comment: We’re going sailing today! All hands on deck by 0800 to stow gear and prepare for sailing. We dropped our mooring at about 1030 and motored out Sisters Creek. As we made the last turn, we saw white foam in the channel were greeted by 17 – 20 knot winds and 2’ – 4’ chop. Jeffrey unfurled the jib, sheeted in, pointed the bow south and rode the bucking bronco with a broad grin on his face! We were sailing. He had to navigate the bronco between the myriad crab/lobster pots – no easy feat.

Our speed ranged between 6 and 7.3 mph. We never raised the main. We made one tack and decided to head in the main channel rather than heading back to Sisters Creek. Once in, we fired up the engines, furled the jib and headed toward the Boot Key Harbor Bascule Bridge. Ed radioed the bridge captain to request an opening. The helmsman was aghast when Ed mentioned that we were at “mile marker 10.”

We finished the circumnavigation of Boot Key when Jeff guided us up to the mooring ball while Ed and Anna Marie secured us, bow and starboard, to the ball.

We completed a few tasks, had lunch and went ashore.

Andrew and Vanessa invited us to “Tally Ho” for snacks and cocktails. Jeff and Marje rode the dinghy ashore and the car to “Tally Ho.” Ed, Anna Marie and I opted for a ride on the “Smorgasboat.” As luck would have it, we were first taken to “Castaways,” a local establishment we haven’t yet sampled, that is 180 degrees and over a mile away from where we wanted to go. When we arrived at “Tally Ho,” we were over one hour late!

Once again, we enjoyed the drinks and fare supplied by our hosts and reciprocated by inviting them to our vessel tomorrow for our 100th day celebration.

Before heading back to the boat, we opted for pizza (very good) at the establishment across from the marina, and made our way to the Overseas for open mic night (OMN). The collection of “wannabees” was in rare form. They were “pre-looped” for the festivities. When they took to their instruments (conga drums and broiler pan) before the host finished his set, they were severely reprimanded for “not respecting the music.” Imagine reprimanding a guy who plays the “broiler pan” for not respecting the music! Broiler Pan man (BPM) threatened to pay his tab and leave as the host demanded that he pay his tab and leave. The exchange took place on at least four occasions while we were there and when we left, BPM was still there, drinking and running up his tab.

A guy we met at the Overseas several days ago, brought his accordion for the occasion. He took the stage when it was his turn. He was concerned that his music wouldn’t fit in and thought about not playing. When it was his turn, he took to the stage and played a few tunes. The crowd got into his rendition of the beer barrel polka and sang along in boisterous voice. He was a mega hit! With any luck, he’ll make a return visit to get the crowd involved in some more sing-a-longs.
We were finally back aboard by 2300 hours, recapped our experiences and hit the sack.