A morning drive south to Blackwater Wildlife Refuge was kind of gray and brief due to an 11:00 appointment with Captain Chris and his first mate Helen to take us out sailing aboard the Lady Patty on the Choptank River.

Turns out Captain Chris called our home number early in the morning, waking Caroline back in Phoenix to try to get a message to us that the gray weather was giving way to some high winds and we might, therefore, be experiencing some gusty conditions on the water.

With nothing better to do and no real chance of turning around because that would be silly, we continued on.

Because we were up for some adventure and soon after arriving on Tilghman Island, we were underway.

The blustery weather made for exciting sailing across the river but also gave rise to a bit of queasy stomach for the mother-in-law. Fortunately, that didn’t start to occur until the decision to turn back had been made, and we were on calmer waters.

While yesterday’s sailing on the Skipjack was pleasant, this was a thrill ride for Jutta, who, prior to this vacation had never been sailing before. Tender stomach or not, I think you can see the happiness on my mother-in-law’s face.

Thanks to Capt. Chris and Helen, for the wonderful time! Caroline and I look forward to coming back later in the year for a ride out Knapp’s Narrows onto the Chesapeake Bay.

Back the way we came as we have an appointment over in Royal Oak, Maryland…after a nap for jet-lagged Jutta first.

Prior to leaving Phoenix and Jutta leaving Germany, I’d made reservations for us here at Bella Luna. What we ate is lost to time, but no matter as we’ve been having a great time out here, and tomorrow, we drive to Baltimore to pick up Jutta’s daughter, my wife, Caroline.