AN AL(DEN) STAR CAST

When Jon and I decided to row this past Sunday morning, I knew we would be in for an interesting time. Winds were stiff from the Northeast 12+ knots. That along with a fallen tide made for major sets of chop and rollers. Even the fetch from across the bay made departing from the dock off Anchorage Lane a trapeze act of major proportion. Both of our cockpits were totally submerged before the first stroke of the oars. Soaked from spray and waves did little to suppress our sheer feeling of excitement from being out on the bay for a late Autumn row. Our first leg took us down towards Winter Island off Salem Harbor thinking that from there we could do a little better from the soaking of the Northeast rollers. From there it was a quick pull to Beverly Harbor where we tucked ourselves into the lee side of the bay making our way eastward. Flat water greeted us along the way where we discovered 2 other rowers Thomas and Stephanie in Echos. (see picture). Determining that Misery Island would make a great "go-around", we slogged our way up and down rollers till we cleared the islands. Turning down of the wind and wave, survival instinct took over. Jon and I did everything we could to handle the Stars as they bottomed out at the troughs or sluiced left and/or right surfing down the top of the wave. It was some incredible downhill rowing that lasted almost the 2 miles back to the dock. 9.8 miles overall. Soaked, happy and alive, Jon and I both agree that it was the best row of the season. (but hopefully not our last)