After a summer of not being able to sail, we finally made it out on the water this weekend! For the uninitiated, it was the annual Urbanna Oyster Festival.

Since I was still a little nervous about being on boat with my bum knee, my crew sailed up on a foggy Thursday without me, and I joined them later by car.

Captain Caleb and his trustworthy crew Howard.

Somewhere in the murkiness of fog, there is a bridge ahead.

Foggy day on the Rappahannock.

The festival draws crowds from both near and far, by land and sea. It starts on Friday morning and runs through Saturday night. This year, old man weather dished up a variety of conditions from sunny and warm on Friday, rain on Saturday, and for the hardy boating crowd, very cold and windy Saturday night and Sunday.

Friday was perfect for enjoying the waterfront, and for being on the boat in the harbor.

Oyster chicks!

The Oyster Chicks hanging out on the boat before heading back to shore for some tasty oysters.

Crazy girls!

So, while Friday was beautiful, Saturday brought rain. But, the rain did not dampen the festival-goers spirits! Rain slickers and boots were the attire of choice.

Main Street Urbanna

Along with every type of craft, local artisans, and food vendor you can think of, along with a variety of musicians, two parades, a Miss Oyster Queen crowning, an oyster shucking contest, there are (of course) oysters served every which way … raw, roasted, steamed, fried, chowder, sandwich, and our new favorite, an H.O.B. (ham and oyster biscuit). I must say, we tried them all.

Half dozen served up raw on half shell

We were rafted up with our good friends, Frank and Herb, on their boat, Magic Dragon.

Dreamer rafted with Magic Dragon

Oh, and it’s a dog-friendly event too (always got to get that plug in ;-).

Caleb and Rufus hanging out on the boat

As I was writing this on the boat Sunday morning, it was 48 degrees with a wind chill of 45, and the wind was howling as it had done from just after midnight Saturday.

After waiting for some calmer conditions, we weighed anchor (well, Magic Dragon did all the anchor weighing) and headed out to the Rappahannock for a chilly sail home.

It was chilly, but it was sunny as we began our trip down the river towards the bay. We had varied winds of 10-20 knots out of the north, northeast.

Magic Dragon passes us (but, motor-sailing 😉 you scalliwags!)

Dreamer overtaking the Black Pearl (aka, the tall sailing ship Lynx).

We are gaining on her Captain!

Full sail ahead!

While visions of dog treats danced in their heads, the four-legged crew was ready for some warm beds.

Magic Dragon crew, Rufus.

Dreamer crew, Caleb.

Dreamer is back in her slip at Stingray Harbor Marina. Another Oyster Festival takes its place in the ships log!