Winter is here and we’re sailing ahead of the storms. This Sunday the winds were 18-20 with higher gusts (I think to 26 kts). Tide was a high 6+ going to a low of –1 in the evening. Winds were WSW. It was a bit chilly but the sun was out and the rain could be seen falling to the north in the distance. I took the Ericson and Mike and Fred were on the Pearson. We sailed up Broad Slough and turned right to go up the Sacramento. No pictures this trip… even though I had the camera with me I also had my hands full handling the boat. Both boats were double reefed and I had my 95% twisted off and flattened for the higher winds. The combination worked great as the boat never felt out of control. At the top of Broad Slough we fell off to a broad reach and I saw ground speeds of 7.2 to 7.6 on my GPS. We sailed to the Windsurfing beach to see the grounded ketch, turned to weather and sailed back to Antioch via Sherman Lakes. Glad we cut through the lake. The tide was out going when we turned and the waves were starting to get bigger. Back at the marina while putting the boat away, Don and Nancy (Spirit, Catalina 30) returned from their sail to Pittsburg. They said that another boat went aground at the top of Broad Slough on the south shore of the Sacramento. The south shore is very shallow. My GPS shows an abrupt 1’ at the top of the slough. The boat didn’t hail them as they passed and according to Mike they’ll be stuck until the next high tide. With the wind, waves, and cool temperatures, it will be a rough time. I hope they get off or call for help. All in all, it was a great sail for us. Where is everyone?