Janet Kennedy Kiefer

The Sailing Adventure of Dreams
Janet Kennedy Kiefer

Chirping crickets catch my attention as my iPhone alerts me of an incoming text. “Karl and Heidi want to know if we want to go on a schooner adventure in Maine over Labor Day weekend. What do you think?”

“Do you really even need to ask? Of course, what fun! ” I believe the swiftness of my reply startled my husband, Peter. By the end of the day and after a half dozen emails, our trip was booked for Labor Day weekend.

The excitement began to mount as the days passed and the luggage was prepared. “Life is Good” any day a sailor can be out sailing. I was ready to escape the trials and tribulations of everyday life at home. I needed time to fill up my cup with an opportunity to release some positive endorphins. Do you ever feel that way?

As Peter and I flew across the country from Arizona to Boston, I envisioned the tall clipper ships plowing through the cobalt blue waters of the southern Atlantic in Penobscot Bay, Maine. There was a slight twinge of fear or anxiety as I wondered about the weather we might encounter.

For the first time in my life I saw the lighthouse at Owl’s Head, a giant osprey nest atop Pulpit Rock, lush gardens rimmed with beautiful flowers in bucolic little sleepy ports, and spectacular bays filled with diamond-sparkling waters. My senses were a-wash with happiness and soon the troubles I had carried across the country with me were melting away.

Captains Douglas and Linda Lee made a childhood dream of sailing on the tall ships come true on their beautifully built and maintained wooden Schooner Heritage. The Heritage build in their own shipyard in Rockland, Maine, was their dream come true. She was christened in 1983, making this year the 30th anniversary of the sailing of the Heritage.

This Mom and Pop operation runs like clockwork. Once on board I quickly learned that she sails at 10:30 sharp and the clock in the galley would remind me of that.

Come one, come all … Those of you who fancy yourselves as rugged sailing adventurers are sure to fall in love with this experience. This sail is not for the faint of heart. I was happy I brought along my camp-out attitude, a great sense
of humor, and layered clothing. Pack light, a duffle bag works best. Dress in layers, do bring your foul weather gear, and be sure to include the water proof pants. A hat is needed to protect your scalp from becoming sunburned. Be sure to include your medications including inhalers, allergy medication, epi-pin, Dramamine, mosquito repellant, and any other personal medication needed. You want to stay in tip top shape because once you are on deck, you are part of the Heritage crew.

Yes, on this cruise you can be as hands-on as you want. You are not only encouraged to help with the sheets as we tack to destinations, but you are needed. At some ports, we set out to see what was in town and we needed to work as a team to row “Archie” ashore. Once you join in the “family fun,” the positive endorphins release and the troubles you arrived with begin to fade away.

Captain Linda is happy to teach you sailor songs such as, “Haul Away Joe.”
If you decide to take this adventure be sure to ask about Joe. Captain Linda is an inspiring marvel. She skitters around the schooner like an agile cat. Not only can she sail like a pro, but she can also COOK!

Captain Douglas just had the cast iron wood stove rebuilt for Linda so when you arrive on the Heritage, be sure to bring your appetite. Linda prepares the most marvelous scrumptious meals using local farm fresh produce and Maine blueberries. She kneads homemade-from-scratch oatmeal bread, cinnamon rolls, whirly gigs, and desserts. Oh, did I mention the Best-in-the-World-BBQ on the beach Lobstah’s!!! Yummo!

One perfect day, we set sail for Lobster Island. We soon discovered that Lobster Island would be any island the Captain declared to be Lobster Island. Along about three in the afternoon, the crew dropped anchor in a beautiful bay. They lowered “Archie,” the row boat, into the water and set the sturdy wood rung ladder over the side of the schooner. Linda gave each passenger specific lessons on where to place our hands and feet in order to safely disembark. One-by-one, the passengers made their way into the go-ashore boat. Once all eighteen passengers were seated, the rowing instructions were given. Oars up, oar locks up, place your oars on the locks, follow the lead rower and then the command … “Pull, Pull, Pull.” Soon you could hear the crunch of broken seashells and rocks scrape across the hull of the boat. We stepped out into the cool water and walked up onto the beach.

Theo and Melanie, from England, decided to swim to shore. This was their tradition as this was their eleventh repeat trip on the Heritage. Every year they meet up with Sally and Bruce of California. Whom they met eleven years ago on the Heritage. Over the years, they have become great friends and they reunite annually sort of like swallows.

The traditional dinner on Lobster Island of course is to have a lobster cookout!
A second boat was rowed to shore by the crew. It carried the lobster, butter, lemon juice, watermelon, and the makings for S’mores.

An old fashioned metal oval wash tub was placed on the fire. It was filled with water and then the lobsters were thrown in two-by-two to the count of forty! Once all the lobsters were in, a layer of sea grass was placed on top.

Soon the call for dinner rang out and Linda placed a lobster on our plates. We picked up our cup of butter and lemon juice and the feasting commenced. All you could hear was yum, Yum, Yummo! We were consuming the most delicious lobster of our lives gazing at the Schooner as the beautiful sunset began.
This is the Life!

If this was not enough to make me forget my troubles, the after dinner family stories by Captain Doug took care of it. They were knee-slapping, rolling-on-the-floor, brought-to-tears hilarious tales. SMILING!

I am on the plane now winging my way back home to Arizona. Real life will soon call on me to respond. However, now I am armed with the wonderful memories of a summer week spent in Maine on the magical, majestic Schooner Heritage!

Www.schoonerheritage.com

Janet Kennedy Kiefer
Kieferjanet10@gmail.com