Day One, Sanctuary Resort at Port O'Connor -- Monday, August 8, 2016

Island Moorings marina in my rear view mirror, On Your Mark's slip is no longer visible as we cast off around 11A.  Winds are light and variable and we cruise at 7 knots.

How great it is to be on the water again, cruising so freely -- well, within limits.  We respect the markers.  I grab the new binoculars to search for the red and green as we get out farther, and it is fun to finally see them with the naked  eye.

I'm so excited to see the barges up close once again, and enjoy seeing one totally block the intersection well before we approach that place.  We hear one call on VHF 16 "Jalapeno to the Alley Queen."   We laugh as we reduce our speed and someone is heard to say, "Rule of Tonnage!"

 The lookouts on On Your Mark watch very closely as we come to the ferry crossing; four are 'on the move'!  We will stay out of their way!!!

At this point we have heard very little conversations on the radio and this barge, the Matagorda, 'speaks' to us in the narrow channel to indicate how we should pass each other.  She shows some  side.  We see her starboard side, which tells us she wants us to pass starboard to starboard.  The tug is two breasted up, meaning she is pushing two side by side.

It has been a year and a half since Herb and I cruised Willie's Tug, and I have forgotten so much.  However, it is like riding a bicycle; it comes back quickly -- I hope!

Harbor Island Lighthouse

Here is where we are now, approaching San Antonio Bay at 10.3 knots.

 

As we cruise into bigger water, San Antonio Bay, seas turn from calm to a light chop, and I suddenly for the first time today feel the motion of the water.  Really feels familiar.  It is good to be on the water.

We make the turn into the Sanctuary Yacht Club and Resort near Port O'Connor at 4:30P and skipper finds a slip to easily slide into, despite the winds that have really picked up!  After securing On Your Mark, we walk up to the main building to leave a check for our night's moorage.  There is no harbormaster, so it is self-serve.

We are really impressed with the beauty and amenities of the yacht club and Pearl comments that she would like to make this her home port!

Find On Your Mark....

Willie of Willie's Tug,
   and of Walldog, Willie and Jake
   Monday, August 8, 2016