Sailing with Family: Dodging Raindrops and Saving the Rappahannock

Last month, we had the pleasure of welcoming my two favorite aunts, Laurie and Liz, aboard Dragonfly. Family visits are always special, but there's something uniquely grounding about sharing time on the water with people who’ve known you forever. As we prepped for the trip, the weather seemed determined to test our patience. But sailors learn early on—life’s best moments often happen between raindrops.

We set sail through a misty morning, navigating toward the Tide’s Inn. It’s not far, but this time we faced a new challenge: the bridge. You know, that bridge. The kind of structure that looms ahead, and no matter how many measurements or reassurances you get, there’s always that brief, heart-stopping moment when you wonder if you’ll make it through. Spoiler alert: the mast is still standing, and my nerves are mostly intact.

After the bridge victory, we docked at Tide’s Inn, a place where the land itself seems to breathe with life. Laurie, Liz, Mike, and I took a walk along the Inn’s living shoreline, where nature’s balance is a constant work in progress. We learned about their ambitious project to bring oysters back to the Rappahannock—tiny, stubborn creatures fighting to reclaim their place in the ecosystem. I’m not sure if we helped much, but we got our hands dirty, and that always feels good.

The next day brought sunshine in abundance. A perfect day to lounge by the pool and let the warmth soak in. Sometimes, you need days like that—where the hardest decision is which cocktail to order or whether you should flip over to even out your tan. Laurie and Liz were in great spirits, and we shared stories, laughed, and enjoyed the quiet moments.

That evening, we dove into something a little more serious, attending a meeting of the Friends of the Rappahannock. The discussions around preserving this river—a lifeblood of the region—are more than just talk. They’re about action, about protecting something that gives so much to the people and wildlife that call it home. It’s a cause close to our hearts, and with every meeting, every small effort, it feels like we’re adding another layer of protection for future generations.

It was a short visit, but packed with the kind of moments that stick with you. There’s something powerful about blending family time with purpose, with nature, with something bigger than us. As always, spending time with Laurie and Liz reminded me just how lucky I am. Family, oysters, and sunshine—what more could you ask for?