Murph's Women, August 7-8, 2014

Unbelievable, I know, but I actually had women aboard Kelly IV that were not brought by another man.

It is actually wrong to say they were anyone's women, certainly not mine, as these are four very independent minded ladies who make their own decisions and do their own thing. It was merely my good luck that they decided to make sailing to St. Michaels aboard Kelly IV one of their “things.”

Kim and her three daughters, Paige, Taylor and Mallory met me Thursday morning in Annapolis to make an early departure for St. Michaels.

Taylor and Mallory and Paige

What a day! We raised sails immediately upon departing Back Creek. The 12 to 15 knot northwesterly was perfect for a port broad reach to Tolly Point. From there we merely eased sheets to reach toward Bloody Point, then trimmed for close hauled up the Eastern Bay. The breeze seemed to shift somewhat to the north, heading Kelly IV, but we still cleared Tilghman Point, just barely. Then we eased sheets again to run and reach our way up the Miles River, all the way to St. Michaels.

Miles River reach

Yes, we sailed the entire way! We were rarely below 5 knots of boat speed and Kelly IV often saw 6+ knots! What a grand say of sailing! Truly the best sailing this season and what an introduction of sailing to Kim's daughters as they had not sailed before.

Thanks to the fine breeze and early start, we were anchored by 3pm and shopping by 3:30pm. Wow can these ladies shop! They did themselves proud and left me bushed, just following them from store to boutique to shop. We enjoyed a fun dinner at the Crab Claw and returned to Kelly IV in time for sunset photos from deck.

CaptMurph and Kim

Taylor, Mallory and Paige with their Mom

While the next day proved beautiful and sunny, it was also a typical Chesapeake day, that is with little or no wind. We had a lazy day motoring back to Annapolis and even stopped to anchor and swim off Chesapeake Harbor for an hour.

Paige and Kim, Chesapeake Bay swimming

Once cooled off, we returned to Back Creek and the impressive crew of beautiful women departed from Kelly IV. It was grand to enjoy their company and thrilling to share such a great day of sailing with them.