Sailing, Dancing and Fishing

Tacking!

On Thursday evening I drove down to the south-eastern end of the island.  Farren Avenue runs along the shore and there is an open view to the Patuxent River.   The Southern Maryland Sailing Association holds its small boat series on Thursday nights, and I was in time to see the regatta.  There were quite a few single-handed Lasers and a handful of sloops including a couple Lightnings.

Many boats were already out in the race area, but I was able to catch a few as they came out of Mill Creek.

and we're off!

From my vantage point the course was in line with the Test Pilot School’s hangar and the Control Tower  (part of NAS Patuxent River) on the opposite shore.  The mostly cloudy sky cast a dark-blue tinge to most of the scene, though a few times the sun broke through to shed some light directly on several of the sails on the course.  They just jumped out of the dreary background.

I’m not familiar with all the signals that the committee boat sounds, but did recognize that the horn blasts were likely signaling the start of the races.  The Lasers were first to go followed a few minutes later by the sloops.

 One of the Lasers went over!  Quickly recovered though.

 

 While I was waiting for the start, a SUV pulled up nearby and a couple guys hopped out with fishing gear.  A young girl, I’m taking a wild guess at somewhere around 10 to 12 years old, jumped out as well.  I could see she had earbuds plugged in as she danced to the beat only she could hear.  It made me smile.

 

 

I went back to searching the scene for the sailboats, and then every once in a while would glance back to watch the fishermen and the dancing queen.   I got up the courage to walk over and chat, and I’m so glad I did.  I had a great conversation with “Travis”  (not sure that’s his name, but using it for this note)  He was hoping to repeat a catch of some croaker that he brought ashore a couple weeks earlier, and maybe add some blues or even the unlikely catch of a rockfish (striper to those of you in the north.)  We talked about the beauty we see in the world, and how Travis has been looking to get a camera.  He has told his wife about the things he sees when he’s outside and wants to show her what he finds.  We’re a lot alike in that way.  I’m hoping he had better luck than when I was there… I didn’t see any fish being landed.

 

 

 

 The red boat is "Sea Tow" heading to port.

 These lasers are all heading 'down-hill' to the finish.

There was one boat flying a red spinnaker.











 Checking the line.....

 I didn't get a good shot (nor video) of the amazing dancing, but I did get this bit of a 'cheer' she was showing her mom (who is in the truck - off camera.)

Fishing, and smiling...  that's a good day.

It was a great night.  Sailing action.  Beautiful breeze.  Gulls squawking for food from people in cars. Dancing. Conversation with new friends.  The moon coming to life as the sun set.  Yes.  A great night.