Cat Tales June 1997

Ice Breaker
May 9th

Mike Davis, Chantilly Lass
Mother Nature was not in a very good mood as CCYC got together for the first "sailing" event of the season. It was cool and windy as the group gathered at Cindy's Dock in Mill Creek but the Co-Captains, Joan and Wayne Savage and Sue and Walt Dennison, did a great job getting it started. They were joined by Charles and Freda Gandy, Paul and Sharon Payne, Bill Weeks, Bill & Elizabeth Wesley, and our hosts, Cindy and her husband Bob. Happy hour began as everyone started catching up on events. Bev, Diana and I arrived on Chantilly Lass and, after an all-hands effort, were soon tied up next to True Blew and joined the group.

The weather tried to dampen the mood as it started to drizzle but we just moved to Cindy's covered deck and attacked the food. There was plenty to eat, and tasty, too. We finished the meal with a birthday cake for Wayne Savage. It was a delightful, albeit wet, day to "set sail" for the season.

Wye River Raft-up
May 24th - 26th

Mike Davis, Chantilly Lass
Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend was an absolutely perfect sailing day. The sun was shining and the wind steady. Paul and Sharon Payne joined Diana and me aboard Chantilly Lass and we headed out to join Gerry and Jeane Helldorfer on Looking Glass in Dividing Creek on the Wye River.

We arrived at Dividing Creek just as Bill & Elizabeth Wesley on True Blew were rafting-up to the already anchored Looking Glass. We were soon joined by Ray & Laura Danner on Donau and Raymond Harris on Aurora. Ray & Carolyn Nieves on Classie Chassie, along with their friend Jinx, aboard Iris, joined up to make it a 7-boat raft. After securing all lines and adjusting the fenders, happy hour began. Bill and Liz won the prize for the youngest crewmember, as their daughter, Cindy, was along for the cruise and had brought their baby granddaughter.

Unfortunately, the wind continued to get stronger and with the forecast for more of the same, including T-storms, Gerry decided it best to break up the raft. As we made preparations for breaking up, Tim & Catherine Porter, Wester Ross, Allan & Hilda Gohrband, Running Free and Walt & Sue Dennison, Foxfire arrived. Too bad we didn't get together but what a great turnout - 10 boats!

The wind continued throughout the night and the wind on Sunday was 20+. With the forecast for frontal passage late that afternoon and anticipating the wind shifting to NW with passage, most of us decided to cut it short and head back to the Annapolis area. Luckily, we missed the severe weather that caused the tornado in Arlington.

Lunch and Raft-up at Cantler's
June 14th 3:00 PM

Our next event should be a real crowd-pleaser. After a day sailing on the Bay, join us at Cantler's Riverside Restaurant and enjoy their famous crab cakes or steamed crabs. They have an excellent menu that includes many seafood dishes, as well as steak, chicken and sandwiches.

By boat: Enter Whitehall Bay, just north of Annapolis, giving Hackett Point a wide berth to the south and west. Once abeam red marker "2", arc to the west and head for the entrance to Mill Creek, marked by another red marker "2". The dogleg entrance channel is well marked and looks trickier than it is. Swing wide after passing the last marker "10" and make your way up the creek. You will pass Burley Creek to starboard and to port, a small cove and then larger Martin's Cove. Cantler's is just past Martin's Cove.

By car: From Annapolis, heading East on Route 50, take Exit 28 at Old Mill Bottom Road and Bay Dale Drive, which is where the Red, Hot and Blue Restaurant is located. Follow the signs for Old Mill Bottom Road south to St. Margarets Road. Take a right and proceed until you see an old grocery store at a "Y" intersection, where Browns Wood Road joins St. Margarets. Make a sharp left turn onto Browns Wood Road. Take the first road on your right, Forest Beach Road, to the end and you'll be at Cantler's Riverside Restaurant.

Plan to arrive at the restaurant by 3:00 PM. For those arriving by boat, either tie-up at Cantler's dock or anchor in Mill Creek and dingy in. After we eat, we'll decide where to set the raft. If you need it, Cantler's telephone number is 410-757-1467.

CCYC Flotilla
June 28th - July 6th

Mike and Bev Davis, Chantilly Lass
Bev and I are going to Captain a week's worth of rafting and hope you can join us for some or all of the sailing fun. Our plan is make it round the middle of the Bay and you can join in whenever you get away.

Sat, 6/28 - Our first stop is Swan Creek at Rock Hall. As you approach Rock Hall, you will pass green can "3" marking Swan Point Bar. Continue north past Rock Hall and as you round Gratitude Point, look for Chantilly Lass in Deep Landing.

Sun, 6/29 - Our next stop is the Corsica River on the eastern shore of the Chester River. The entrance to the Corsica is marked by a green and red nun "CR" in the Chester. From there, head for red nun "2" and continue up the river, passing the Russian Embassy resort on the southern shore. Depending on the wind, we'll anchor at either Tilghman Cove or Emory Creek.

Mon, 6/30 - We'll head back down the Chester River and pass through Kent Narrows. We'll see how the new channel is working out! After passing through the Narrows, pass through makers "2" and "3" and make a big "S" turn to pass north of Hog Island. After Hog Island, take the south fork into Kirwan Creek.

Tue, 7/1 - After leaving Kirwan Creek, we'll head south down the Eastern Bay, through Poplar Island Narrows and then through Knapps Narrows. On leaving the Narrows, turn north, go past markers "4" and "5" and then into Dun Cove. Look for us in the north finger off Seth Point.

Wed, 7/2 - From Dun Cove, it's a short sail to Oxford. While we may stop for a short visit in town, we plan to anchor in Trippe Creek. You'll find us either at Snug Harbor or just past Deepwater Point.

Thu, 7/3 - This will be the longest leg of the trip: from Oxford to the Rhode River. When you enter Rhode River, pass Cadle Creek to starboard and head for marker "7". Round the mark, pass south of High Island and look for us between High Island and Big Island.

Fri, 7/4 - We plan to watch the fireworks from Annapolis Harbor, so we'll sail from the Rhode River, north to Annapolis and then into Spa Creek. After passing through the drawbridge at the entrance, continue most of the way up Spa Creek. We will anchor off Truxton Park or, if permitted, we'll tie-up to Paula's Dock, where Wayne and Joan Savage keep Second Wind. Then, to watch the fireworks, we'll take everyone on 1-2 boats back to the harbor. Let the Oohs and Aahs begin!

Sat, 7/5 - Our last stop will be Harness Creek, off the South River. The creek's entrance is not marked, so follow your chart. After entering the creek, we will probably be anchored just after the left turn.

Whew! A lot of sailing but it should also be a lot of fun. The trip is planned so we pass many restaurants, marinas and stores. You can take a break from the galley and eat ashore or easily resupply your provisions.

We realize many of you won't be able to join us the entire trip but we hope you can start out with us and then meet up with us later. We will try to stick to this itinerary and will monitor channel 72 every half-hour. If you let us know your plans in advance, we'll call you if our schedule changes. Our home phone number is 703-802-0355; e-mail address is MEDavis49@aol.com; boat phone number is 703-201-2242.

Editor's note: Prior to all events and on special occasions, I send a broadcast message to all members with an e-mail address. This message is to notify members of the event and includes any last minute changes. If you have not been receiving these messages, I do not have your e-mail address. Please send me a note with the address and I can include you. Thanks.

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