The Tall Ship

I bought two tickets for Bug and I to go to Baltimore Harbor and sail on the tall ship.  He said he didn't want to go because there were so many ladies in my group.  But he finally agreed to go.  The trip was sponsored by Charles County.  Everyone had to meet at the Courthouse in La Plata and catch the chartered bus there.  In our group was my sisters, Sally and Susie and our very good friend Glenna. Carol my co-worker and Vivian another very good friend.

The trip also provided juice and donuts for us on the bus.

There was a lot of excitement about going sailing on this ship. The driver dropped us off near the dock.  He told all of us before he opened the door to be back promptly at 3:00 p.m. or we might have a long hike home. (He acted like he was annoyed with us or maybe he had a lot of stress from listening to all our noise.)  Then he opened the door and we hurried off the bus and down to the dock. 

Bug was still a little apprehensive about all this until he saw the boat (ship).  All of a sudden he became Peter Pan and this was Captain Hook's ship.  I thought of the Mayflower and I heard others comparing it to Columbus' ships the Nina, the Pinta, or the Santa Maria. 

The Captain had everyone wait in the main part of the boat while he explained the safety precautions, life preservers and the working of the ship. He also advised us they had a snack counter with all kinds of goodies and a "CASH" Bar.  He asked for volunteers to help pull the heavy ropes and hoist the sails into place, so we would weigh anchor.  Then he dismissed us to move about the boat as we wished.

Bug and Susie were the first to volunteer.  There was 30 others that helped.  "Heave too!" the Captain yelled. Up went the sails.

What a glorious feeling.  We went to the top deck and waved good by to all the people standing on the pier. 

I believe this sailing ship was larger than the Mayflower.  I imagined sailing across the Atlantic to the America's and landing at what is now Plymouth, Ma. Those people had to be so courageous.  I was having a nerve problem just sailing in the Chesapeake Bay.

Sally took a lot of pictures with her good camera.  She then purchased mai tai which must have been a doosey because she got one of those smile that you could not erase.  And she took more pictures.

We sailed past Ft. McHenry.  I asked her, "Did you get any pictures of the Fort?"

She answered with that smile, "Yes, I got several shots of Fort Sumntner."

"Sally, just what kind of lens did you use?" I asked her, knowing that fort was in South Carolina.

She realized what she had said and answered, "A VERY STRONG one,"  and laughed.

We sailed out into the Chesapeake Bay for over and hour then came about and headed back.  Just watching those huge white sails and the ship going through the water gave me such a feeling of freedom.

Since we were riding back on the bus and Susie was driving home, Sally decided to have another mai tai, the rest of us drank bottled water and soft drinks.

When we returned the Captain asked for the volunteers to man the ropes and lower the sails.  Bug and Susie went back to the ropes as we watched the sails come down and were folded and tucked as if we hadn't ever moved.  The crew on this ship was really good. We all shook the Captain's hand upon leaving the ship.

There was about an hour or so to use before boarding the bus so Bug and I went to an ice cream parlor and had the best ice cream ever.  The rest of the group went shopping.

We all finally got back on the bus.  We almost left Carol and Vivian, they were the last ones to get back (Carol's always late).  Bug sat with Glenna and I took one whole seat to myself and slept all the way back.

Sally and Susie had a great time.  We all decided we wanted to do this again someday.