On Saturday, September 8, 2003, Chip Ackerman, Mike Trogdon and myself planned to sail to West Bay to evaluate it as an NSA destination. The wind was forecast to be light NE. Tropical Storm Henri was crossing Florida and a high pressure system sat to the west of us. Rain was forecast for Sunday, but Saturday was supposed to be nice. I brought Kuheli to Oriental on Friday night and lay at the Town Dock. Jim Beacham met Chip, Mike and me for breakfast on Saturday morning. Jim, who had something to fix aboard Kittewake, asked about our plan. Chip explained that we were heading to West Bay, where we would anchor and have a pot-luck dinner. I said I would bring spinach noodles with low fat, spicy marinara. Jim, Chip and Mike just looked at me without saying anything. Then Chip said, “I was thinking of steaks.” Jim repeated what I had said, with a barely perceptible mocking tone, “I'll bring spinach noodles with low fat, spicy marinara.” They all busted out laughing! As we got underway, the wind strengthened. We talked via VHF. Chip said he wanted to go to South River instead of West Bay. Rag Top Day and Kuheli, already beating to windward near Garbacon, readily agreed. Chips Ahoy appeared at the mouth of Pierce Creek, and headed across the river on a beam reach. We all met near South River #1. The wind was strong enough for one reef, which Chips Ahoy and Kuheli had done. Rag Top Day had no reef. The weather forecast changed, calling for rain Saturday afternoon and evening. Chip and Mike said they had no desire to anchor in the rain. I did not mind anchoring in the rain, but I had no desire to go alone. Chips Ahoy and Kuheli hardened up and had a short race to windward, heading back across the river. Neither vessel could get away from the other. Then, we fell off and charged down on Rag Top Day, who sailed between us. I stayed busy taking pictures, and we all stayed close to each other as we headed across the river on a beam reach. Several times, one of us tacked or wore, and the other two followed. I was kicking myself because I had not filled any water balloons. Before we knew it, it was time for lunch. Chip offered to let us tie up at the end of the dock at Sea Harbor, where we scrounged lunch aboard Rag Top Day. While we were eating, light rain started to fall. After lunch, we agreed to meet at Chips Ahoy for dinner. The wind fell light, but stayed NE. Rag Top Day and Kuheli headed back out into the Neuse River and sailed to Oriental. That night, three other people joined us for steak, shrimp, salad and spinach noodles with low fat, spicy marinara. There were several flavors of beverage, but I can't recall what they were, exactly. After dinner, we located Jim Beacham, who was with Kent & Debbie Fann at M&Ms' restaurant. Management only asked us to keep it down once. A while later (who knows what time it was?) we upped anchor and headed over to the marina, where there was music and more friends. It was a bit too loud for me, so I sat on the porch and talked with new friends, until it was time to turn in. I didn't see Chip or Mike again that weekend. The next morning, I awoke aboard Kuheli at the Town Dock, and went across the street to The Bean as it opened. By 0900, it was raining and Kuheli was underway, headed back to Matthews Point in Clubfoot Creek. We did not rediscover West Bay. We can do that any time. We did rediscover Flexible Cruising. We can do that anytime as well!