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By now, we are about to enter inland waters again.

This inlet has no jetty, simply a wide entrance with a dredged channel. We work out on the flats, as it’s quite smooth, thus avoiding any close encounters with big craft. We note there is a slight ebb still running around the entrance spit. There is a nice beach and dunes just inside, and, though the tide is down, there is some clean sand for beaching. This is the spot for lunch,’ a dune ramble, or a nap. Boats are grounded and moored properly, as the tide will soon be on the rise. Some of the lighter craft are simply put up in the grass by the many hands available. It seems quite hot on the beach, but some observer says the sea breeze is striking in, and sure enough we find it quite pleasant up on the edge of the dunes. There we have a fine view out into the Sound, where sailing craft are coming to life after the morning calm.

This is all very pleasant, and soon an hour is gone.

It’s time to clean up the site, get afloat, and head for the little river, which, from the past two week’s wet weather, should have a considerable freshet in it. Since we have a fair wind and now also a fair current, some set sail, and it’s not long before we are in narrow waters. The color of the water changes, and there is a noticeable ebb. We are in fresh water. This is narrow going in some parts. The flora and fauna take on a different look, there is tupelo and holly in places, and we approach an interesting marsh with a structure at the head of it – a pumphouse, for we are up into cranberry bog country. This is the head of navigation, even for canoes, so all hands head downriver. In the lower reach, there is quite a breeze funneling right up, so we face some smart pulling until we are around the bend, where conditions then become more or less fair for the home stretch. Those who have it set sail, some taking a canoe in tow. Some of the very lean pulling boats are extremely fast with a small sail and the wind broad on the quarter, and they are soon way ahead of the rest. We are part of an Old World scene, something out of an old print or painting these handsome little craft going about their business.

What we really have been doing is circumnavigating a large island situated in inland waters bounded by dunes, creeks, coves, and small streams. The returning fleet will end its cruise at the landing it started from, without any back tracking. As we straggle in, the wind is now fresh, the tide is coming fast, and there is a surge from harbor traffic. We snatch the boats out as they come in to avoid a pounding, and take our time loading, each helping the others. We allow as how it’s been a fine cruise, finished just right. Someone always has part of a chart along; mileage is toted up – just about 11 nautical miles, not allowing for all the twists and turns. Each goes his way, now thinking of another cruise in other waters. There’s time enough to get home and wash the boat leisurely before supper.

I leave it to my readers to determine if this is fun or not. To me, it always is, even if it rains.