Darn boat!

Last weekend we took the boat out to Lake Anna to explore the lake and do some more fishing.  To make a really long story short, it did not go as planned.  Jessica and Rich had taken the boat out on Friday and had no problem.  They even towed another boat all the way back to the marina without a hitch.  Our outing turned out much different!

We went out about 2 miles from where we put in and the boat stalled.  Rich got it started a few times, but we thought the engine was flooded so we fished for a bit to give it some time.  During this time Carol called to let us know that a nasty storm was on its way and that we'd better get back to shore quickly.  Well, we both knew that wasn't going to happen.  We tried and tried, we used the trolling motor to stay close to shore, and we watched as the wind picked up, the waves got higher, and the sky turned gray.  Within an hour we were stuck in the middle of a horrible storm. 

If you've ever had to run to your car during a downpour or while it is hailing, just imagine what it must be like to be stuck with no cover on the water during this situation.  I was sure we'd get struck by lightning or drown before we made it to shore.  The wind was so strong that there were 2-3 foot waves knocking the boat around while the rain came in sheets sideways and in my ears!  If that wasn't bad enough it started hailing on us.  So there I sat, eyes closed, head tucked, teeth chattering because the temperature dropped 20 degrees in minutes, and body battered by the rain and hail.  And, no, I'm not exaggerating.  I thought I was going to die. 

Eventually we got pushed into a cove where Rich got us docked to a private dock, well to a stick close to the dock.  We got out and made it to a gazebo for cover.  The owner of this HUGE house came down to greet us after the storm passed.  And said, "Boy, that was rough wasn't it?  I figured there was nothing I could do, so I waited to check on you all until the lightning stopped."  Nice guy, huh?  He was actually pretty nice, just loaded and a bit irritated to have to deal with us.  He ended up towing our boat to his HOA dock where I was left to watch the boat.  Rich rode with him back to the truck and trailer and then met up with me 30 minutes later. 

It was after 8 pm when we got home and it is fair to say that we were very thankful to have made it out of the situation and absolutely starving!  The picnic lunch that I packed was destroyed by the storm.  It rained so hard that the cooler had 2 inches of water in it...it was closed the entire time!  Crazy.

The stick that we tied to during the storm.  Imagine 3 foot waves here.  Agh.  This is Rich's attempt to get it going after the storm.

Me.  Pretending to be happy after freezing my tail off and hiding under the gazebo.  Rich gave me his hat so the hail didn't make a hole in my skull:)