We are all familiar with the expression "A Bad Day Sailing is better than a great day ashore", but consider this item courtesy of the Asssociated Press: Dateline Chesapeake [Virginia]: A 37-foot sailboat was destroyed by fire yesterday [June 4] after striking several power lines, and a woman aboard the vessel was in serious condition, authorities said. The incident occurred in St. Julian's creek, where the boat ran aground and began burning, said Wayne Gilbert, of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Gilbert identified the two people aboard as Bonnie Jaeger, 53, of the Baltimore Area, and Winthrop Spence, no age or hometown given. Spence was unhurt, but Jaeger was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. The incident occurred as the boat's occupants prepared for an approaching storm. The boat's operator "was apparently not familiar with the area", according to Gilbert. ************ End Quote ********************** Officer Gilbert, obviously, has a grasp for the obvious. Locals will note that St. Julian Creek is a tributary of the Elizabeth River just off the ICW. Speculation is that Jaeger turned west into St Julian's about two miles before (North of) reaching the also-westward turnout into the Dismal swamp branch of the ICW. The buoyage is all different, but it would be pretty easy to make that mistake if panicked by the storm.