Road Scholar Day 3 of 6 day voyage – Headed down the east side of Whidbey Island

Submitted by Ann Collins, Catherine’s mother

Yesterday was a bit rainy but not enough to stop anybody from enjoying above decks.  Most of the folks aboard went to discover Hope Island, spotting eagles and other wildlife.  A hike across the island was a welcome stretch of the legs with the delightful surprise of a rope swing over the bay upon arrival at the island – all ages took a turn!

I’m finding that I’m just enjoying the whole atmosphere, with time to think about all that life has given me with my daughter and my grandson Ben with me on the trip.  It feels like life has come full circle from the time I was a youngster, especially as I watch Ben learning what it takes to be comfortable at sea.  I grew up cruising the Maine coast in the 1940s and early 50s on a wooden yawl named the Fortune.  It has been years since I’ve spent time on a wooden boat, and it brings back all the memories of things my mother and father taught me about living on a boat. I hope I can share some of these things with Ben, as he is absorbing the shipboard culture alongside the enthusiastic Adventuress crew.

Today, we had the opportunity to climb way up into the rigging, and Ben loved it so much that he didn’t want to come down.  I trusted that despite my own fears about climbing, that I’d be able to return him in one piece to his parents at the end of trip.  Ben, on the other hand, was elated to have reached the top!

Road Scholar Day 1 of 6 day voyage – Anchoring in Dacatur Bay

June 26, 2011 - 

Submitted by Catherine Collins

Evening program has just ended, and the light on Mount Baker is golden red.  Four boys, ages 10-12, are creeping along the deck, walking like ninjas the way they were taught by crew member Dan Dan.  It’s the first day of the first Road Scholar (formerly Elder Hostel) Intergenerational trip of the season. 

I’m excited to be out of the office this week as “guest crew” and experiencing the magic of a program aboard Adventuress.  It’s sheer joy to have my mother, Ann, aboard.  She turned 75 this year, and is the real sailor in our family growing up on wooden boats on the coast of Maine.  My nephew, Ben, is aboard too, and quickly signed us up for anchor watch – enthusiastically jumping in at every turn.

We boarded yesterday afternoon, on a gorgeous Friday Harbor day.  Grandparents and grandkids – renewing and strengthening their relationships across generations, and of course, having fun.  Though most were a bit road-weary after traveling from all parts of the country, they were ready for adventure. 

After nearly 12 miles under sail, we settled down off Decatur Head, Decatur Island, which Ben helped the captain choose for our anchorage.  And a quiet night was had by all with much-needed rest and renewal – and delicious, healthy food from the galley.  Time to slow down, take in spectacular views of our Northwest waterways…and become part of the life of Puget Sound.  

Catherine