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What follows might be exactly like—or nothing like—your week with us. |
There are hundreds of places that we could go during a week, and no week is ever the same. The only certainty is a steaming cup of coffee and a scrumptious breakfast, lunch, and dinner. |
Early (or not-so-early) morning. Rise to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and wood smoke from our cookstove. The crew is up already drying the night's dew off the cabin top. They greet you as you climb out of your cabin to a glass-calm harbor. Maybe you find a quiet spot to do some sketches of the rugged scenery or simply enjoy the camaraderie around the bottomless coffee pot. Now is a good time for a quiet row around the harbor to snap a few photos. 8 a.m. Eight rings of the bell signals all hands to sit in the cozy galley to a hearty breakfast prepared by owner/chef Annie. 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. After the breakfast dishes are done there might be time for a walk ashore to explore. You might find a traditional Maine fishing village, a nice store to purchase a few gifts, or just a nice walk down a country road skirted with wild lupines. Then it's back to the schooner to raise the sails! There is much to be involved in as we prepare to get underway. The sails need setting, lines need coiling, and the anchor needs weighing. We all pitch in and by the end of the week everyone is an ol' salt. Finally, all preliminary preparations are done and the Captain gives the orders: "Heave out!" "Raise your headsails!" And we're off. Sailing off the anchor powered by wind alone. No sound of an engine, no smell of diesel fumes, just the water lapping on the hull and the sound of seabirds, ospreys, or even an eagle as we sail by. 12 p.m. Lunch time! Lunch is brought on deck. Being out in the salt air makes everyone hungry, and everyone munches and enjoys getting to know their shipmates. After the decks are tidied and lunch is put away, all settle in. Some start that book they've been itching to read, others a needlepoint project, more are seen back on the quarterdeck, learning a bit of navigation or listening to a story of the Captain's many adventures at sea. Others still are found with binoculars, watching the marine and bird life and hoping to see a whale. 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. The Captain heads the ship to a protected harbor and we drop anchor for the night. Each night we anchor in a different harbor, one night might be a secluded harbor, another a historic fishing village, or a bustling town to do a bit of shopping. Once during the week, we anchor at an island and go ashore for an old-fashioned lobster bake, Maine-style -- for some, the highlight of the week! Maybe there's time for a walk ashore before dinner. If not, then after dinner or in the morning. It's another good time to take the peapod out for a row. Some courageous souls take the plunge and go for a swim in Maine's balmy 60-degree water. Hor's d'ouvres are brought out and everyone reflects on the fun of the day. 6 p.m. Dinner is served. After smelling dinner all afternoon long, you finally get a taste. All hands sit in the galley made cozy by the lighting of kerosene lanterns and fresh flowers on the table. Sundown. We all watch the sun make its way below the horizon over coffee and dessert. The stars come out on clear nights, and maybe the moon. Annie might stay up to give a star talk, Captain Finger might start the ball rolling with a few Down East stories, or maybe they both will sing folk songs for a little evening entertainment. 11 p.m. Quiet hours start, but no need for a reminder, because all have gone to their cozy bunks long ago. |
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Capt. Jon Finger and Anne Mahle
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