On Saturday Sept. 20, the rafts broke up early and everyone headed out for the long trip to Solomons Island. The weather was nice but the wind was on the nose so everyone motored the whole way. We arrived at Solomons around 15:30 to find the harbor awash in boats due the docking contest being held there that afternoon. Our usual stop at the Solomon's Island Y.C. was unavailable so Sailmar, Harmony and Magic took slips at Zahnisers Marina just up the creek from the harbor. Quaich and Sangeria decided to anchor in Mill Creek. Dinner tonight was on our own and it was most pleasant just to relax and watch the sunset.
Sunday Sept. 21, brought 25 knot winds from the north and 3 to 5 foot seas. Everyone but Sangeria decided to stay here another day. Even the intrepid Sangeria, after several hours of bashing through the seas, decided to take a break and made side trip to Oxford rather the go all the way back to Kent Narrows. The rest of us walked the town, went to the upgraded Maritime Museum and just rested. That evening Pat and I decided to have dinner at Zahnisers Dingy Dry Dock restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised at the high quality and very reasonably prices. We will come back here.
Monday Sept. 22, dawned bright and clear with winds from the north at 10 to 15 knots and 2 foot seas. All of us decided that it was time to head for home. As the day went on the winds and seas abated and we all enjoyed very nice traveling conditions. We arrived at our dock in Crab Creek at 16:00 and were greeted by Wally and Molly Stone. This was a very nice welcome home.
When we look back on this cruise, we can say that the weather was mostly good. The food that the group prepared was very good, the grog excellent and the company of 20 cruising Back Yackers simply wonderful. I cannot think of a nicer way to spend a couple of weeks in September on the Chesapeake Bay than cruising to different and out of the way places in the company of our fellow BCYC members. We look forward to joining another voyage next September.
