Spring at Home & Sea

Spring at Home

Spring has arrived at our home.

The grass is getting greener.

The flowers have been lying dormant,

but now, they peek out from beneath the soil

which has protected them from the harshness of winter.

The days are longer and the breeze is warmer.

Soon, the air will begin to fill with familiar floral smells.

They define the season around our home.

The familiar buzz of our honeybees will be heard throughout the yard.

The birds will be travelling back to us

with stories of their time away,

chirping and chattering on the lawn.

We love this time of year

when everything seems to awaken.

Spring at Sea

Spring has also arrived at the cove.

The water is getting warmer.

The Riggin has been lying dormant,

but now, she will emerge, peering out from beneath the plastic cover

which has protected her from the harshness of winter.

The work days are longer and the breeze is warmer.

Soon, the air will begin to fill with the familiar smells of pine & paint.

They define the season around our docks.

The familiar buzz of sanders & saws will be heard throughout the vessel.

The crew will be travelling back to us

with stories of their time away,

laughing and chatting on the deck.

We love this time of year

when everything seems to awaken.

Highlights from Race Week 2018 – What a Special Day

Every Race Week is special, but this year’s was one for the books.  The captains decided the course in the morning at the traditional captain’s meeting.  Even as we started the race at the sound of the cannon, we were at the head of the pack.  After a full day of tacking and strategizing, we were on the last leg and just under the hills of Rockport off Indian Head Light.  The sky was clear and the wind had died to a whiff, and we were all yearning for the forecast 15 knots.  We’d had moments of excitement throughout the day, but they’d come and gone as the wind eased.  With only two vessels in front of us, we saw wind begin to skim the surface of the water.  Seconds later, the vessels ahead of us began to heal and then heal hard.  And the wind was upon us.  The Riggin gently healed over and when the physics of her majestic sails began to dominate, she started to move forward and pick up speed.  The wind drove her with such purpose as we went from a relaxed, everyday sail to a thrilling chase that had us pulling ahead of one of the two vessels.  With all of us cheering her on the Riggin finished 2nd in her class and overall!  What a moment!

maine windjammer fleet race week

maine windjammer fleet race week

maine windjammer fleet race week

maine windjammer fleet race week

maine windjammer fleet race week

Photos by Susan Land (guest extraordinaire and long time Riggin Relic)