The Speed of Sound

Good morning everyone. If time flies when you're having fun what does it mean when time is going at the speed of sound? We are in a big push right now. Sarah and Katie have been working very hard to get projects done. Blockfest is finished and the replacement of so many patent roller bearings with bronze oilite sleeves will reduce the maintenance time next winter. The trail boards, those beautiful boards with the gilded scroll work that grace the bows, are all painted. Jen will touch up the gold leaf in the spring. Our small boat Rosie is painted and Anna awaits her turn in the shop. The yawl boat Arno is in the barn. Katie and Sarah are stripping the varnish on the rails this morning. Varnish is beautiful but it does tend to look tired after a while.

The office has actually been quite busy with the usual year end turn around and many reservations coming in. This spring like weather is getting everyone excited about sailing this summer. Speaking of which, we finalized plans to offer something new, a wine tasting cruise this fall in conjunction with Cellar Door Winery . Mark your calendars for the September 20th, 4 day cruise where we will explore the world of aromas, wine pairing and chocolate truffles! I am more of a kind of beer guy but I have been promised that once I have been cultivated (or is that cultured) in the art of wine appreciation I will be a convert to the worship of Bacchuss. We are even planning to offer a tour of the winery with lunch after the cruise. This should be a really cool addition to our already packed schedule.

In my abundant spare time Sawyer and I have been restoring our 1963 Willys Jeep. Hopefully we will rust bust the frame this weekend and start returning parts (little things like the engine and transmission) to their original home. This is one of those projects I have wanted to tackle for about 10 years and finally decided to try with abundant help from my dear friend and automotive guru Glen. He is extraordinarily talented when it comes to body restoration having formerly restored fire trucks that currently sit in museums across the country. So if you happen to arrive in Camden by bus don't be too surprised if Jen picks you up in a spiffy Willys. No extra charge!

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...

We are Nuts

Good morning everyone. Well I just had to say it before you did. Yes, we are truly nuts. Now we have gone and added one more adventure to our already full lives. As you can see she is some cunnin'. We have named her Colby. We had a sign... literally. We were in the car brainstorming names on the way to get her at WalMart (yes, you heard it right) and there at the Waterville exit was a sign for Colby College. Colby just happens to be dear Mary's alma mater. It is also the name of one of my favorite ledges in Jericho Bay, the Colby Pup. It just seemed to fit just like the way she came to us. Nothing about our Sunday was going to be different than any other except that I just happened to be helping a friend get her generator back in the barn while Jen and the kids met her new puppy Sherman. They fell in love... so easy to do. We called and there were had two pups from the same litter available... no commitments yet. We had been having the long family debate for weeks about the k...

Darkness and Light

Good morning everyone. OK, so this blog does not have a whole lot to do with schooners or windjammers or sailing vacations so if you want to leave now I will not be offended. Today is the winter solstice, as you know, the shortest amount of daylight in our calendar year here in the northern hemisphere. Of course it is the summer solstice on the other side of the equator. So I guess if you wanted to celebrate the summer solstice you wouldn't be at all in the wrong. I would applaud your ability to see outside the box. Map from Wikipedia commons Living and sailing in the mid latitudes (remember, Maine is half way to the North Pole) as we do, we experience a balance that spans a year's time, maybe many years' time. To feel the darkness of winter creeping quietly into our homes is not as bad it may appear from the outside. This is our season to rest... emotionally if not physically. We know it takes more physical energy to live and work here in winter. But when the sun goes down...

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