Keith's Women, August 2-6, 2014

When Keith signed up for his annual cruise with his best girl, Stephanie, he also asked if they could bring Stephanie's daughters. Not one to refuse having pretty ladies aboard Kelly IV, I readily agreed. As it turned out, they are wonderful young women, both actively embarking on terrific directions for themselves and their futures.

Alex was living in Maryland at the time, but working, so she only had the weekend to spend. Stephanie and Keith brought Alex with them to Back Creek and we took off for a local day sail. Unfortunately, there was no wind to sail so we merely explored Spa Creek from Kelly IV and set the anchor to enjoy an evening in town.

The next morning found us dinghying back into town so Alex, Stephanie & Keith could enjoy breakfast and the Pledge of Allegiance at Chick & Ruth's while I did a morning run through town. I've discovered that if I exercise and eat less, I lose weight! At some point I'll share this secret with the world. But for now, I'll merely struggle to keep doing it.

Following a fruity lunch aboard, we motored our return to Back Creek so Alex could remain employed and so Keith and Stephanie could retrieve Abbey from the bus station in the morning.

Abbey joins the crew

Our new crew dances!

Monday morning found the new crew eager and ready to sail to St. Michael's, so Kelly IV gathered them aboard and off we went. Light winds of 5 knots and less forced us to rely on the engine, but as we rounded Bloody Point the breeze was now from the northeast which enabled us to tack leisurely up Eastern Bay for an hour. By that time it was clear that we'd never make St. Michael's before dark, so the engine was enlisted again.

Keith steers by Bloody Point

Arrival in St. Michael's was late enough that several shops were closed, so we merely wandered downtown making plans for shops to visit in the morning. The next morning we found many shops open and the girls did their shopping with gusto.

Pride of Baltimore II under full sail

Another light air day meant motoring from St. Michael's but as we turned north from Bloody Point we saw two tall ships, one with full sail trying to make the most of the small breeze. As Keith steered us closer we discovered ourselves in the presence of the Pride of Baltimore II, a grand sailing ship that Keith and I had also seen on Lake Erie when she visited the Niagara for a mock battle on Presque Isle Bay.

Keith and Stephanie as Kelly IV passes Thomas Point

We raised sail ourselves and sailed the two miles from Thomas Point to Tolly Point, but again the breeze was too minimal to continue for any more time. Dropping anchor in Back Creek, the week with Keith's women ended. A fun time and I got to meet the wonderful ladies that Keith spends so much of his time with.