Fun Times on the 2006 Downriver Cruise to Ft. Foote
By Joe Warren and Marian Bruno

Saturday, July 8, was a beautiful sunny day with winds expected to be 5-10 from the NE.  Boats departed for the fort about 11:45, later than expected  due to having to change the escort boat from the 16' to the 19' skiff.  Lightning skippers David Thompson, Harry Keith, Gary Roberts/Marian Bruno, and Red Fehrle took their boats.   David brought a full boat with Barbara, Joe Kimak, Catherine Calvin, and Barb and David's grandchildren, the twins Kai and Kylie Thompson.  Marian and Gary brought Gary's children, Emma, Ethan and Madison. Red sailed with his son Richard, and Joe Warren hitched a ride with Harry and his friend Maria.  Red declared his boat to be the kid's boat and took several of the spare children with him.
 

With Red, they all got a chance to helm and trim sails making the trip even more fun  for these future Lightning sailors.

While the Lightning turnout was less than expected, there were more boats from other classes:  two Interlakes, two Albacores, four Lasers and one Hobie and over 30 people total.  Pretty good turn out for a Saturday in July.

As we departed, the breeze was very light (and got lighter) but the current was with us and the boats made slow progress downriver.  Is it  possible to have an adventure with no wind?  With Lightning folks, absolutely.  Shortly after leaving and going through the channel, a nice 10 knot breeze came up.  Problem was that it was generated by the wingtip vortex from a landing 757 and didn't last.   As we drifted with the current it became obvious that Marian and Harry were drifting too close to the wreck, but there wasn't enough wind to easily alter course and pass on either side.  The boats came together and crew had to push off, then try to paddle out of the way.  Marian and Gary escaped with the assist of Mike Heinsdorf on the skiff.  Mike quickly towed them away from the wreck but before Mike could get back to help Harry, Thunder was pulled in despite Maria and Joe paddling furiously.  Harry discovered that with the strong current there is an eddy around the wreck that pulls boats in.  Harry pulled off his rudder and just avoided hitting the thick plank that juts out of the water. There is always something new to experience on the Potomac.

After all that activity, everyone settled back into the slow drift southward.  Mike started a tow of the boats to help move things along.  Before going under the bridge, we rafted up for a short while Mike took the skiff to retrieve Red who had gone out in the river looking for better wind--it wasn't there.  A leisurely tow to Ft. Foote provided a "boat's-eye" view of the construction on the new Wilson bridge.  Note for the future -- it looks like tacking under the new massive abutments will be difficult if the wind is from the north or south.

     
 
We arrived around 1:30 and anchored.  The walking path was in good shape, but the beach was not -- it was heavily strewn with debris from all the heavy rains.  After we grilled and ate our picnic lunches, there was time for relaxing in the shade, walks around the fort ruins, and
volleyball.  Since we arrived late, there wasn't time for more than one volleyball game, but what a game!  It was very exciting for the kids who all played their heart out, as did the adults!  Gary's diving attempt at a return was the most dramatic moment.  The fleet now has a portable volleyball set so we can use this another day.  How about after a Sunday race? 

A beautiful 8 - 9  kt. breeze from the NE made the trip back VERY enjoyable.

With perfect sailing back to the marina,  Harry decided to sail up the Anacostia to  the S.Capitol St. Bridge just to prolong the enjoyment of such good breeze.