Victory Chimes 2008

I can almost guarantee it.


Over the course of six days on the Victory Chimes, I pretty much know what is going to happen. Amidst all the heaving and hauling, sleeping and snoring, eating and drinking, laughing and laughing more, a week aboard the nation’s oldest three-masted schooner is quite predictable. I’m assuredly guaranteed to:




Forget about work.
Forget about land.
Leave all stress ashore.
Eat myself silly - or should I say sillier.
I’ll relish life aboard a boat.
I’ll smell the sea breeze.
I’ll smell something good cooking in the galley.
By the end of the week, I just might smell a bit myself - but won’t care.
I’ll laugh until my eyes water or my sides hurt - or both.
I’ll enjoy a good Uncle Enoch story - even if I’ve heard them all before.
I’ll get to watch the sunrise with a short-haired little cutie named Raquel.
I’ll offer a few favors to a couple of hookers - might even get some in return.
I’ll tell some sucker from away that if the lobster buoy handles point straight up, that mean’s they’re full.
I’ll see seals, porpoises, eagles and osprey.
I’ll explain to somebody that the bird they see is a sea gull not an eagle or that is a cormorant, not a loon.
I’ll sail the coast of Maine and love every second of it.
I’ll dred the final trip into Rockland Harbor and the subsequent docking.
I’ll see friends I haven’t seen in a year but pick up right where we left off the previous September.
We’ll share stories about trips past and make memories for trips of the future.
I’ll leave the vessel with less than I boarded with - meaning all my alcohol will be consumed.
I’ll experience or see something new.
I'll consume more cups of coffee in a week than I will all year - same likely goes for eggs, bacon, sausage and lobster.
Try as I might, I still won't eat as many lobsters as Lenny - same probably goes for bacon.

I'll wear shorts the entire week.
I won't put on a jacket unless I absolutely can't hack it any longer.
I'll be part of as many conversations about knitting as I will about sports, if not more. (And that is scary).
I'll meet some really cool people.
I won't be the most annoying person on board (not as long as Captain Fender Tender graces us each fall)
My summer-long (or year-long) anticipation of Labor Day will be well worth the wait.

Despite knowing what to expect now after six trips, each journey is different. Just like how the rug hookers are always working on new projects. It's always a new adventure for all. What kind of hookers did you think I meant?

The last few years the week has only topped the previous year. Last week's journey certainly didn't disappoint. We had sun and wind every day. We even got a little fog at the end. It was another great week and affirmation that a better vacation could not be had. Well, unless of course, there were REAL hookers on board.

Sunday

We boarded the night before. But a group of us like to be fashionably late. Nearly a dozen of us sailing veterans met for dinner after loading our luggage on the vessel. After dinner, we returned to the ship and began mingling with the rest of the passengers and checking out our rooms. I stuck to my strength. I opened up a beer and introduced myself. We hit it off so well, I met another just like it.

During the night, there came a scream from one of the cabins. We assumed it was either a nightmare, Captain Fender Tender was walking around without his shirt or Salty Sally's Turn Down Service had the wrong room again.

Monday

I'd been excited as soon as I heard the forecast for the first day. Temps were to be in the 80's and the winds were to be 15 to 20 knots. I was up early watching the sea gulls fight. The wait to set sail was a bit agonizing, but it always is. This time we waited even longer. Because of gusts of up to 30 knots, the Captain didn't want to attempt to leave the dock until winds subsided. The RNC hadn't even begun yet and the hot air was blowing across the country. After lunch, about a three-hour delay, we pulled away, getting an up close and stern-view of the Coast Guard cutter that we nearly backed into. I made the backing up beeping noise just to be on the safe side.

We had good wind across Penobscot Bay, and it didn't let up once we got to the Fox Island Thorofare. Because the wind was so brisk, the Captain decided to call it a day after two hours. We dropped the hook near the schooner American Eagle. We ran the yawl boat ashore for some to visit North Haven. The rest stayed aboard and got their game face on for lobster night.

After devouring enough lobster to make Mary Tyler Moore split her Capri pants, we were able to watch a glorious sunset and a night sky full of stars. A week like this was going to be tough to take.

Tuesday

We were off early with some good wind for the second day in a row. We sailed past Goose Rocks Lighthouse, also known as "My Lighthouse". We sailed across Eastern Penobscot Bay and cut through Merchant's Row near Stonington. We had a great view of Isle Au Haut as we entered Jericho Bay. It seemed as though we were headed for Bass Harbor or Swan's Island, but as we made our way toward Blue Hill Bay, the wind got a bit fluky. It was nice sailing back and forth. As the afternoon progressed, the Captain steered the vessel toward Brooklyn. We anchored there in a quiet and cozy cove. Most of us had been there before, but it is a nice peaceful setting, and there's always an array of boats nearby. The Mary Day came in and anchored there as well but too far away to throw dinner rolls at.

Wednesday

Brooklyn has been the setting for some pretty good sunrises, and this morning was no different. It made for some nice photos. Captain had talked about possibly sailing toward Mount Desert Island, depending on the wind direction. Instead, we hauled out early and sailed on the Easterly breeze down the Eggemoggin Reach. It meant for another trip under the Deer Isle-Stonington bridge, which is always a treat. The clearance didn't seem as close as it was last year, but it always seems to be a tight fit. We continued out around Cape Rosier and near Islesboro before going to Castine. Some went ashore, getting rained on in the process. The rest of us watched ships come and go and marvelled at the Maine Maritime Academy sailors training in small two-man racing sailboats.

After leaving the mooring at Castine, we headed for the cove near Holbrook Island. The Mary Day was already there having its lobster bake ashore. We thought about crashing the party or boarding their vessel while they were on the beach. But the appetizers distracted us. We had another nice sunset. The cloudiness overhead cleared out enough to see the stars in the sky that night. The bell buoy echoed loudly in the distance with notes from a Lynyrd Skynyrd song.

Thursday

The sunrise was a bit tame, rising up over Brooksville in a hurry. We were looking at a warm sunny day. After breakfast, the vessel went across the cove and dropped anchor near Holbrook Island. Some went ashore to walk along the shore. The really cool people stayed aboard and had a photo shoot and watched the crew wash the deck. Now that's entertainment.

Later in the morning, we beat down Western Penobscot Bay. We sailed past Searsport, Belfast and Islesboro. The wind was light early on. So light that I could hear the porpoises rise to the surface before I'd see them. Of course, it helps to know what they sound like.

The wind kicked up later in the afternoon. We beat back and forth across the bay until sailing past Grindle Point Light and into the harbor at Islesboro. We gawked at the "fixer uppers" along the shore. The Grace Bailey and Stephen Taber joined us.

We got a couple of Uncle Enoch stories before the Captain took Raquel (his dog) ashore. Later that night, we got a little raucous on deck. A boat came in late to the house that was formerly owned by actress Kirstie Alley. We thought for sure it was the Jenny Craig police coming to confiscate donuts. We briefly captured a hostage from the Stephen Taber but returned her for no ransom. Just because we're kind-hearted schooner bums. We tried to laugh louder than those on the Taber to prove we were having more fun. I think it worked.

Friday

We pulled out of Islesboro fairly early. Didn't want all the rich people to feel envious. We had inside info that we were headed for Rockland, but many of us figured that already. But we were also told that we might have a special docking because of precautions from the impending storm. Oh boy!

Before all that, however, we got a pretty good sail. We sailed out into Western Penobscot Bay. We cut through the islands off Islesboro and made toward North Haven. The Isaac H. Evans passed us and fired its cannon at us. We didn't lose focus on lunch though as they sailed on past. We sailed by the Owls Head Lighthouse and through the Mussel Ridge Channel. We reached the backside of Ash Island and neared Otter Island before turning back.

Apparently, they had toyed with the idea of taking me home and dropping me off, per unanimous vote, but they decided they could tolerate me a little while longer.

By the time we reached Owls Head Light again, the fog was moving in. When we reached the bay, we were fogged in all around. People were bundling up. Even I had to duck down to my bunk to change - media cards. I was still wearing shorts and a t-shirt - and a few goosebumps.

We could hear the Owls Head fog horn for a bit. Then, apparently, in an attempt to save energy the horn halted. Fortunately, we were close enough to Rockland to hear the horn at the Breakwater and see the orange glow from the Home Depot. That helped us find our way - in addition to the radar the Captain has.

We anchored at the South End. Many of the other Rockland schooners came in to anchor with us, but after supper, we ditched them. Psyche! We went over to the dock near the Coast Guard station and backed our way into a space there. The Captain even did it blindfolded. Good thing Captain Fender Tender was on duty to save us all.

Being at the dock introduced us all to the real world again, despite shrieks of "Noooo!"", allowing us to go to our cars or walk the streets of Rockland. After settling in, many gathered on the deck with brews, M&M's and some stories from the Captain. We couldn't hear the other schooners, but it still sounded like we were having more fun. Three masts always are more fun than two.

Saturday

There was no sunrise, but we got to see a fine display of ladder tossing. Someone from the marine hurled an aluminum ladder into the road after tripping on it. Then he hurled it again. He earned a score of 8.75 from the judges, the lower scorer, of course, coming from the Russian judge.

As the rain began, we unloaded and the crew rejoiced to be rid of us all. We all departed and went home to sleep and begrudgingly return to our lives. Until next year.

The Tragedy Continues

It is like an episode of the television series 24.
There's terrorist attacks, intelligence failures and a bumbling president. They've all led to chaos, mass casualties, a catastrophic attack on humanity and destruction of horrific proportions.
Unfortunately, it isn't just another show filled with so many casualties that you lose count or a Jack Bauer exclaiming "Damn it" with each roadblock he finds between him and heroism.
This is real. So real that a childhood friend was in one of those buildings and perished. His family received a portion of his remains, identified by DNA, years later. A former National Hockey League player and scout that I had shared many press boxes with was on one of the planes, heading for Los Angeles.
I've been watching the rebroadcast of the tragedy of September 11, 2001. It came on just before 9 a.m. and has been showing the minute-by-minute broadcast all morning. I happened to catch the beginning of it and have been hooked on reliving the drama and destruction all over again.
Many of these breaking news stories that get saturated with coverage by the cable news channels seem surreal. It's as if it is all just a TV drama and not true. Obviously 9/11 was something different. It was unbelievable to watch unfold, the breakdown in our leadership, our intelligence and our security. Our government failed us. It was evident not just on the TV screen but in the lives of people we knew.
As I've watched the rebroadcast of what happened that day, I'm reminded how horrific the whole thing was. We've settled back into our comfort zone and come to grips with the tragedy that happened that day. We've lost that feeling of horror, insecurity and mourning from sevens years ago. It has almost become like another bad day in history that our emotional attachment has left behind.
As I watch it all unfold again, I feel as though today should be a national holiday. It might actually be a holiday that doesn't get minimized by commercialization, car sales or a reason to party because we have the day off, but I never underestimate the callousness and stupidity in this country. Of course, a national holiday to honor what happened that day would bring out the flag waving, my country right or wrong, fanatics that sometimes blend idiotic with Patriotic. I've already started getting the propaganda emails telling us to "never forget".
Now seven years later, we haven't forgotten but as I look back on how 9/11 has shaped our country since it happened, it not only scares me but disgusts me.
Have we learned from that day? Are we better off since that tragedy? Are we more secure than we were back then?
Obviously, our travel has changed. Security is tighter. It has changed our mindset in this country. That is unfortunate but necessary. Maybe our intelligence has been shored up and security is better to prevent something like that. But I thought we were immune to that on 9/10/2001. We might be better prepared to handle an attack such as that, but maybe not an attack of a different nature - a nuclear bomb or a chemical weapon. I have no faith or trust in my government that things have improved. President Bush has been more intent on covering his own ass the last few years than protecting our shores. John McCain doesn't even known that Czechoslovakia doesn't exist anymore. That makes me feel secure. I have a little bit of faith in Barack Obama, but I'd be naive to believe government incompetence and bureaucracies would change so dramatically. I seriously believe that 9/11 taught us a lesson but one that we haven't learned from - at least enough to prevent a similar failure. We've actually spawned more terrorist and encouraged more hatred of our country in the last seven years. That doesn't make me feel more secure.
While the horrors of that day hasn't made us better equipped to thwart such an attack, the unity that was a result of the tragedy has all but evaporated. I remember the scene at the Super Bowl the following February, Bono, the lead singer of U2, was performing during the halftime show. The screen in the background rolled the names of those killed. He opened his jacket to reveal an American flag stitched inside. It was a great emotional moment.
There was feeling of unity not just nationally but all over the world. There was a sense that we could rise above such hatred and tragedy, especially if we rallied around each other. We did that - for a little while.
Since then, we've been inundated with partisan politics. We returned to a Divided States of America. Our politics promote and exploit that division while our electorate accepts it.
It is disgusting to think that yesterday the hot political story was about a "lipstick on a pig" comment that was taken out of context and used to smear and distort. Today, a truce has been called between campaigns. Tomorrow, they'll be back smearing each other and avoiding the facts that the country truly needs to address. With such a tragedy being recognized and so many lost lives being honored, you'd think our politicians could do better. Instead, they trivialize 9/11 and insult us and our concerns. And, again, the electorate doesn't demand better. But, if we don't expect civility in the world around us, why demand it in our political arena?
The worst has to be the politicization of 9/11. Bush declared that terrorism against the United States would not stand. Last I knew, the perpetrators of the attacks have not been brought to justice. Just like Bush hasn't found/fired the culprits the the CIA leak that he vowed to investigate. Instead, we've attacked a country that had little to do with 9/11. Meanwhile, the memory of the 9/11 victims were used and abused to justify such a war. Who's the religious zealot performing terrorist acts now? I could barely stand to what as Bush spoke at memorial services today. Here was the man who exploited 9/11 more than anyone and trounced on the memory of the murdered, standing their offering faint praise and platitudes.
Just last week at the Republican National Convention, the most graphic video footage of the 9/11 tragedy was shown. The drum beat continues. Playing on the fears of Americans, that awful day in 2001 is now used as a political tool. Scare tactics try to justify the current evils of past and potential future administrators while swaying a fearful electorate. It is sad, disgusting and offensive that the lives lost on that day are used in such a way. I can't help but wonder if the terrorists have actually won sometimes when I see how such a historic and tragic day has been tainted and martyred.
As I've watched the replayed coverage of 9/11 this morning, I've recalled the success and the failures that have arose from that day. Unfortunately, the latter is greater.
In our darkest hour, we had the chance to rise from the ashes and show the greatness that our country was founded upon. Instead, our leadership was as hapless post 9/11 as it was pre 9/11. We were told to shop. Instead of bringing out the best in our country, the tragedy has produced the worst.
I mourn the tragedy all over again today and feel sad that our country let us down seven years ago. I feel a greater sadness for the failings that I've seen since 9/11.