The good news is the end of Summer week long cruise is coming up. It begins Sunday morning August 29 in Bodkin Creek as the kick off weekend cruise hosted by the award winning Bob McCool comes to an end.
The bad news is the end of Summer cruise signifies the end of Summer is not just a concept.
The conclusion that obviously must be recognized and honored is, don’t screw up and not go on the end of Summer cruise.
Hopefully you are asking why this particular cruise? Glad you asked. Most importantly, Linda Stone is the main source of planning and the Queen of sailing fun. I worship at her throne constantly and I have never been disappointed. Neither will you. Her ideas of fun have and probably will continue to have theme nights related to Mardi Gras and hurricanes, Cinco de Mayo and margaritas, pinatas, and squirt guns, limericks, and special awards (ask Chris, Luci, and Bob McCool). Occasionally, useful and useless sailing maneuvers and practiced with totally subjective scoring systems applied. Generally there is ongoing random childlike silliness and games. You will be encouraged to face each day like an adult playing like the child you were as the square root of your age.
You all should be warned that Queen Linda does have a dark side. Anyone caught or suspected of whining will be place before a squirt gum firing squad. Her original desire was to keel haul the culprit, but decided what is the point if there are no barnacles on the boat. No blood, no proper revenge.
Since the Queen’s new command has more draft, she has decreed that the fleet head south. Her desires are subject to sudden and unannounced change, but at this moment the cruise schedule resembles;
Sun 8-29 Bodkin Creek to the South River. Anchor in or near Harness Creek adjacent to Quiet Waters Park (maybe some land based fun and games and party)
Monday 8-30 Sail to the Choptank River and stay in Oxford and the Safe Harbor Marina, home of the best bathrooms on the Bay or anchor across the River. Happiest Hour and more fun and laughter.
Tuesday 8-31 Make use of the Choptank River and conduct a three buoy fiasco with a handicapped start that ideally has every boat finishing at the same moment in time. There will be three buoys designated for each boat to round in whatever order and direction they choose. VHF heckling will be rewarded with special prizes.
Wednesday 9-1 Can’t you feel Summer slipping away. Fleet will progress to the Wye River to anchor in Shew Bay, or Lloyd Creek or Dividing Creek. There it will be answered, the question that has come down through the ages, old as time itself. Wye not?
Thursday 9-2 Sail across the Bay to the Rhode River where we will anchor and most likely play dinghy contrarian. This will make you head explode after an adult beverage of three.
Fri 9-3 Sail up the Bay to White Rocks Marina for more nice bathrooms and restaurant food.
Saturday 9-4 Sail across the Bay to Swan Creek for a mooring ball, anchor. Happiest hour never really ended, but will reinvent itself.
Sunday 9-5 Sail back to Middle River or home port. Be thankful that you have Monday to rest and recuperate. Your smiling muscles will need physical therapy because they have been over worked for the previous week.
Be warned, the Queen has spoken. All who do not properly heed her call to fun and sailing, do so at their own peril.
Queen Linda and her loyal serf.
