A Windjammer Family

Good afternoon everyone. Another great week of weather, wildlife and people.There just isn't enough time to spend with each and everyone and we're grateful for those who keep coming back to be able to share yet another laugh, tear, or a photo from a far away destination recently traveled. We love it, can't get enough, actually look forward to it as we see those names on the boarding list. As you all know people are a huge part of this business. We wouldn't be here without you. Our Mary Day family just keeps growing and growing and still we are saddened with those we loose as well. Several family members have called this year to postpone their reservations due to illnesses. We are deeply saddened to hear this and keep their spirits with us aboard as we know they'll be back, to share those peaceful sunsets and spray of the ocean breezes. We'll be here with the eagles and osprey waiting for them.

Crew become our "Mary Day Family" as well as passengers. Over the past 14 years with the Mary Day (we can't believe it's been that long!)we have been blessed with many young, strong spirited individuals struggling to figure out life (aren't we all?). They arrive at our doorstep with an eagerness in their eyes to sail, to learn, to give all they got, to pull to they bleed, as we say. We take them in, share all we can and give them the chance to feel the breeze of life and to help them find the next path in life. It's amazing how much they give back to us and not just through work....but in lessons of life.

We have an amazing crew this year that not has only taken it upon themselves to learn the schooner and the enormous work load that comes with it, but have had to share their personal life crisis' with us as well. We have had two crew members loose two very dear family members while sailing and one off recovering from knee surgery. It moments like these that have brought our crew family closer. It's amazing to see a team of young people jump in when and where needed and just ask how high and not when...We have yet to sail with just our "normal crew". It's taken a team of many to make this season work and somehow we're managing to do it with fun. So we feel a small portion of their pain as they grieve and will share in the happiness of being back aboard and working side by side through another long hard day's of sailing when everyone has returned. Life is short and each moment counts. Family is a large part of it, and with family at our side we can make it through each and every day. We hope Jake that you get a chance to be with your family this week and we look forward to your return. Sara get stronger, those topsails are waiting for you to furl 'em!

Have a great day. Be well. Do good.

Hail Mary

My heart is heavy with sadness as I write this particular blog. Since the beginning of August our dear friend and cook for the last 12 years, Mary Barney, had been struggling with cancer. I have intentionally respected Mary’s privacy and I apologize to you for not sharing any news about Mary’s health sooner. On Monday afternoon Mary passed away very peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and “family”. Her departure was as graceful as the rest of her life. Many people, including Jen, have been doing heroic work to support Mary these last few weeks. Oddly enough Mary was never very excited about transitions though this was about the fastest transition she ever made. And as I struggle to let go of Mary I realize I am terrible with transitions as well. We used to joke about how we liked things just the way they are, thank you very much, so why change what is working already even if it might be less labor intensive. Hard works is its own reward. I used to joke about getting Mary a Cui

Fall Maintenance

Good morning everyone. The sun has been kind to us these past few days and the crew has been spending much time aloft prepping and painting the mast heads and tarring the rig as part of our annual fall maintenance schedule. They were a little silly on tar fumes by the end of the day hence the rat board dance moves. Am I the only one who is reminded of Willy Wonka's little friends at the sight of the crew in their tyvek suits? Schoona-loompas? The smell of tar, after all, is what we sailors live for. Extracted from the stumps and roots of pine trees through dry distillation pine tar will cure what ails you especially some skin conditions and any emotional maladies from being too long away from the sea. All we know for sure is that Mary Day’s rigging is kept hail and hearty by coats of tar mixed with boiled linseed oil. Notice that I specified boiled linseed oil and not raw linseed oil. Tar mix with raw linseed oil will not “kick”. Don’t ask me how I know this… just take my wo

Oh Captain, Oh Captain, Please Don't Rumba!

Good morning everyone. Another 6” of snow fell this weekend and we took a few hours to enjoy the wonders of winter here in New England skiing in the woods. The full Wolf Moon on Saturday causing astronomical high tides plus a 1’ tidal surge brought by the low pressure system meant we had tides over the bulkhead in Camden. At low tide just the opposite happens and the tides dip well below normal. I was able to step to the docks from the beach and get aboard the schooner on Friday after work and all was well. I had an interesting email this morning from a wonderful gentleman looking for a vacation to replace a now defunct “windjammer” sailing experience that formerly sailed in the Caribbean. He sent us a very humorous swashbuckling note, complete with colorful pirate party images, wondering if we might be able to fill the void, complete with canons and limbo parties and would the captain be leading the rumba line? I regretted to tell him that we probably did not offer the booty he was

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