I scheduled the February Flexible Cruise for the 21st because all of my other weekends were booked. However, it couldn't have been more fortuitous! Jim Gay always looks for opportunities to ride both sides of a front, to get a fair wind to Ocracoke on Saturday, and a fair wind home again on Sunday. I call that the Ocracoke Bus! We looked at the weather and discussed the possibilities on the Neuse Yahoo Group, our e-mail discussion group, Jim suggested Ocracoke; Kuheli and Fannasea were game. Galavant monitored the discussion, but they were not sure if they would go. The forecast went from 60% chance of clear sailing, down to 50%, then up to 80% chance of clear sailing as the date grew nearer. It turned out that the low went far north of us, and we got no rain at all! On Friday evening, Kent and Debbie arrived at Pecan Grove and were disappointed to see all the water gone. Kent doubted that he could get Fannasea out the channel. However, on Saturday morning, after Opus and Kuheli got underway, Fannasea escaped! Galavant monitored our VHF traffic, checked the weather, and decided to come with us. The participants were Jim, Linda and Jennifer Gay aboard Opus; Mac, Sushmita, Kiron and Priya Allen aboard Kuheli; Kent and Debbie Fann aboard Fannasea; Dave and Betty Maxey aboard Galavant. Only Galavant carried no dog. We had 15 to 20 knots from the SW, which never reached the forecast strength. It was a beautiful day. The morning clouds gave way to bright sunshine in the afternoon. Opus arrived first, and secured slips at the Anchorage Inn Marina. Bill and Carl rolled out the red carpet for us. Kiron rented a bicycle, while the rest of us tidied up and got ready for an early dinner at Howard's Pub. Jennifer and Priya played together. Kiron and a young man about his age had a pool tournament while we stayed at Howard's after dinner. We walked back and turned in by 2200. By 0630 Sunday, we were ready to cast off. For the return trip we had 15 knots NNW, which died a little at NR and changed to NE. It was a wonderful, clear day, and another successful running of the Ocracoke Bus!