Pulled the mooring. Had to row up a brisk wind with a broken oarlock, but the shackle came loose, and with a float attached, the chain dropped to the bottom, where it will spend the winter.

Then, later, at 2:30, we get to the marina. Bright sun, clear sky, warm south wind, sparkling blue water, but nobody around. We run the 'Rider up on the beach, raise the main, and shove off, with the wind right behind us. The farther out we get, the more we notice the wind, until it looks like the wind aft is trying to bury our bow (which, of course, is impossible in a Windrider). So we pull into Sandy Beach and throw a reef into the main.

On the way back, even with the reef, we are screeching. Then we notice Wolf out solo, reefed, thankfully, and it appears he is doing fine. We fly to the east side of the bay, and tack and gibe in the gusty puffs off the marina until we are sure he can make it in okay. Then up, in the shifty shifts, onto the beach where we drop the main. Following that, we use the ancient 2-hp motor formerly assigned to Geode (bought in Two Rivers, WI, btw), to back from the beach to the slip, thus demonstrating the highest level of seamanship achievable. Pretty amazing to have a whole marina to yourself (not counting Wolf) on one of the most glorious days of the year.

This evening— hamburgers (etc.) at the Pinebox with J. and ME. and Murray and Elaine, and then down to the lower deck to watch the blood moon. As of now, the sky is still clear,but clouds seem to be creeping in on that muscular south wind.