The furthest point we reached on the cruise was Havre de Grace. I'm sure it's a nice destination, but the days we were there the temps were in the high 90s and we were tucked well back in the marina. Talk about hot!
After several days there, we left early in the morning for Bodkin Creek, near Baltimore. Well, you know what they say about red skies in the morning. By now we were down to 4 boats on the club cruise. As we anchored it was apparent that storms were on their way so everyone stayed on their boat rather than gather for our customary cocktail hour.
Not long after dark the fireworks began in earnest. As lightning crashed all around, Jim stood in the companionway watching the show. All of a sudden there was a loud POW. I watched a ball of fire leave the boat and we realized we'd been struck. We quickly got to the business of checking thru hulls, checking for other leaks, and checking electronic systems. No leaks, but the electronics were not so lucky. It was farewell to the obvious targets like the VHF antenna and masthead instruments, so long to the Ham radio and GPS, and adieu to the battery charge monitor. However, the engine started up like a champ and the refrigerator was still working. Our friends in the anchorage said that we lit up like a Christmas tree.
This trip was really starting to get on my nerves and poor little Murphy was a quivering furball.