NormMessinger
08-06-2004, 08:19 PM
Pictures in an ImageStation a lbum. (http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4285997331&code=11172553&mode=invite&cmp=EMC-IS_other&creative=album-invite)
We have so many people to thank for the great success we had on this adventure. We honored by visits with a few folks along the way but missed several others who had offered hospitality. Phyllis, only partially in jest, complains that once I get behind the wheel there is no stopping--for anything. That simply is not true. That gull durn Ford only gets 10 mpg with the boat in tow. Then there is the no small matter of an elderly bladder. Still we managed 12 to 13 hour days which wracked up the miles.
Several warned me of the tourist traffic on hwy 1 in Maine but I found the only thing that held us up was Mainers driving the speed limit.
The Wooden Boat School staff has service, accommodation and instruction honed to perfection. No complaints, not one! I looked at the ramp for launching Prairie Islander with unnecessary trepidation. As soon as our plans became known Rich and crew swung into action, hitched up the Farmall and backed her in.
The weather was a perfect mix of fair and not to foul. We rowed one day and sailed every day. With one instructor in a boat with three students everyone had a chance at the helm every time out. Duties rotated from navigation to head sail sheet management to helmming.
Everyone got a diploma and a hug at the end of the course. I told the instructors the course was satisfactory but neither was a Nero Wolf fan so Phyllis had to explain that I was giving high praise.
On Saturday morning we moved on to Prairie Islander. My grand scheme of going off on our own to explore nooks and crannies seemed unrealistic given the weather pattern and our experience level. We were only to happy to acquiesce to the suggestions from several that we stay on a WBS mooring.
Rich and crew pulled us out at high tide Wednesday. Phyllis said four days on the boat without a shower was enough.
We made a dash for Hamilton Marine in Searsport but made it just at closing time. No matter. A night in the campground near Camden positioned us for a morning at their store in Rockland. Why, it was more fun than a museum. There's stuff there that isn't in their catalogue, folks.
We made it to the WoodenBoat Show on Friday but when I got in the truck Saturday morning that sucker turned west and didn't stop (for exceptions see above) until we got to Toledo.
We made it home Sunday evening. Spent. One of these days I'll get up to the garden and deal with the weeds.
[ 08-06-2004, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: NormMessinger ]
We have so many people to thank for the great success we had on this adventure. We honored by visits with a few folks along the way but missed several others who had offered hospitality. Phyllis, only partially in jest, complains that once I get behind the wheel there is no stopping--for anything. That simply is not true. That gull durn Ford only gets 10 mpg with the boat in tow. Then there is the no small matter of an elderly bladder. Still we managed 12 to 13 hour days which wracked up the miles.
Several warned me of the tourist traffic on hwy 1 in Maine but I found the only thing that held us up was Mainers driving the speed limit.
The Wooden Boat School staff has service, accommodation and instruction honed to perfection. No complaints, not one! I looked at the ramp for launching Prairie Islander with unnecessary trepidation. As soon as our plans became known Rich and crew swung into action, hitched up the Farmall and backed her in.
The weather was a perfect mix of fair and not to foul. We rowed one day and sailed every day. With one instructor in a boat with three students everyone had a chance at the helm every time out. Duties rotated from navigation to head sail sheet management to helmming.
Everyone got a diploma and a hug at the end of the course. I told the instructors the course was satisfactory but neither was a Nero Wolf fan so Phyllis had to explain that I was giving high praise.
On Saturday morning we moved on to Prairie Islander. My grand scheme of going off on our own to explore nooks and crannies seemed unrealistic given the weather pattern and our experience level. We were only to happy to acquiesce to the suggestions from several that we stay on a WBS mooring.
Rich and crew pulled us out at high tide Wednesday. Phyllis said four days on the boat without a shower was enough.
We made a dash for Hamilton Marine in Searsport but made it just at closing time. No matter. A night in the campground near Camden positioned us for a morning at their store in Rockland. Why, it was more fun than a museum. There's stuff there that isn't in their catalogue, folks.
We made it to the WoodenBoat Show on Friday but when I got in the truck Saturday morning that sucker turned west and didn't stop (for exceptions see above) until we got to Toledo.
We made it home Sunday evening. Spent. One of these days I'll get up to the garden and deal with the weeds.
[ 08-06-2004, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: NormMessinger ]