04/22/2012

So this may end up being a long, rambling post. We will see. We have Niagara pretty well dressed; All but one yard is up. We have a few sails ready to go and others that shouldn't take too long to rig up. We have had fairly lucky weather, and have had lots of volunteers to help us with it. It's been a great season so far and the crew is well meshed and is generally a really solid team. Station Maine came and went, and it was a wonderful visit. It is really impressive to see teenagers working hard on such a strange thing, and really caring about it. We have this sort of idea about teenagers and how we expect them to believe. Station Maine has, twice now, reminded me that teenagers are really just people, and it's all about proper motivation to get them to understand the stakes, and responsibilities that they find themselves experiencing. It sounds dumb to say it that way, but it's the truth. It's way too easy to fall back on preconceptions and stereotypes. I've also taken a share of compliments and suggestions in the past bit of time, which I'm always a little weird about. I've never taken them well. I'm told that I don't bitch much, which is a good thing... that I'm a hard worker. I don't really see myself that way, I just do my job, but hey. More interesting to me was that someone recently told me that I'm clearly going to open a school. I've rarely really considered myself a teacher, but I'm starting to see some sort of pattern with it coming out more and more. I will say, having jumped back and fourth between sailing and "the real world" that were I ever to open any kind of business ashore, I would staff it with as many tall ship sailors as I could. It's just a different mindset, and a much more productive one. I was also called a "great role model" which always makes me nervous. I do, however, make a fantastic hot chocolate, and take full pride in that. I'll take that compliment well.

04/18/2012

So since I'm sitting here I guess I should do a bit more of a post.
We're getting her nicely dressed, though it has been some long days getting to that. Most of the yards are crossed, and most of those that are, are dressed as well. We have two sails ready to set right now, and could go for a heck of a downwind run with the fores'l and the spanker, and will hopefully get the gear set up for the tops'ls and the fore topmast stays'l tomorrow. The rig is mostly tuned and tight and after lots of eventful days, she's starting to look like herself again.

We have a couple weeks till it's time to get going, and we are all fairly confident we can get there.

Cheers

A little shout out

So the kids from Station Maine are here visiting the Niagara again and being ever so helpful and generally a lot of fun. You should all check out their website (www.stationmaine.org) or find them on facebook. You should also probably follow the blog at stationmaine.blogspot.com

It's a fantastic organization and they really do great work.

04/04/2012

It was a long trip home last night. Little room for sleep in the birth deck, and a lack of bedding made for restlessness. I found myself wedged between division boxes and spent batteries trying to get some fitful sleep.

It was nice, however, to be back on the water. Even the lack of sleep and the spitting rain couldn't really detract from that.

We had a late start this afternoon, and then got to work getting the boat ready for the upcoming month. We did a field day, cleaning the birth deck and galley after getting all the gear out and into the shop. We also moved a fair amount of lumber. Not the most exciting day ever, but most of us were fine with a lack of excitement this time.

04/03/2012

First off, I would like to apologize for not posting more while in yard. The work was not something I felt overly inspired to write about. While I did learn a lot, it wouldn't be an interesting read. We did get the hull repirs a few planks above the waterline and I am a lot more confident with a sledge hammer.

Now we are on the way back to Erie to finish repairs and get her rigged for the season. our coast guard inspection is in a month and I am confident that we will be ready. We have a strong crew and what looks to be an interesting season.

It feels good to have so many good people around; surrounded by old crew. It is hard to explain the feeling of belnging that a ship can give you. As hard as it got last year, and as hard as it will likely be this year, it feels good to be back.