#23 Simple and Rich

Sunrise in Newburyport                                                                      Pedr Seymour

SUNRISE on the water. Strains of Mozart's Symphony #13 in F Major, Kochel #112, fill the cabin. We associate boating in Maine with WBACH, Maine's classical network. Who's Kochel, you say? He decided to catalogue Mozart's extensive works, from sonatas and etudes to symphonies and requiems. The composer was so gifted that he composed 626 works before dying at age 35. Ludwig von Kochel simply numbered his works chronologically. 

 One might think that after three months on the water we'd be done. Not the case.

Contemplating navigation in the fog. At least Sally W has radar.

How could one ever tire of the new sights and encounters of each day? 

It's always new, inspiring, and challenging.




Life aboard has changed us. It is simpler and richer. We don't have a microwave or television. We cook fresh food and enjoy good books and conversation. 



 It has toughened us. We still enjoy a hot shower to cleanse our often sticky bodies. But it's not a daily occurrence. And we don't mind assembling a bag with soap, shampoo and towel, and walking up the dock to the showers in the marina. Or, simply showering on the back deck.

Why this change? It's the intangible luxury of time. We're not in a hurry. We don't have to jump out of bed, hop in the shower, and wolf down breakfast. Rather than face the day, we embrace the day.

Our son Pedr, wife Rebecca, Madelyn and Clara.   Minimal gear.

It's always a treat to have friends and family come aboard and adapt to a simpler life on the water. Not much required in clothing and gear; there simply isn't room! Come with little and leave with experiences.

On our final push to Maine, we stopped in Newburyport, MA. This town has a rich maritime history, and is renowned for building the finest clipper ships. In nearby Amesbury, we visited Lowell's Boat Shop, which opened for business in 1793. 

Boat with wreath was a wedding present for a sister

Seven generations of the Lowell family built boats and created the first fishing dory.  Today, it is the oldest continuously operating boat shop in the United States, thanks to Pam Bates, who kept it from closing a few years ago.
 




"This can't happen," she said.  She saved the business, turning it into a non-profit working museum and National Landmark. 

Pam is the executive director and manager, and very passionate about the project. 

Master craftsmen and volunteers work together to build the highest quality dories and skiffs. Pam is determined to see the perpetuation of wooden boat-building.

 

We came to Newburyport to meet Pam because she is a fellow tug owner. She and her late husband Bill bought their tug in 1985, and she is one of the remaining handful of original owners. She tells the story of how Bill took a detour on their way to talk with yacht brokers in West Palm Beach. "I want you to see something that will make you smile," he said. 

They drove to the yacht club and eyed a Lord Nelson tug owned by the commodore. She believes they ordered one that afternoon. At the time they had each brought a few kids to the marriage. But the 37-foot tug provided ample room for seven.

When Bill died twelve years ago, there was never any doubt that Pam would keep the boat. Today, she enjoys sharing it with grandchildren.

This is Ursa, a 49-foot rendition, owned by David Fogg and Thea Nelson. She resides in the Fox Islands Thoroughfare, off of Vinal Haven Island in Maine.

This wasn't the first time we had thought about evoking smiles and wondered why. Perhaps it is the bold upward curve of the bow which suggests a smile.

Our destination was our home port in Camden, Maine where another sister, Titan, was waiting. The twins are indeed smiling, happy to be together.





Although this is the end of our 1855 mile, three-month journey, this is not the end of the blog. What began as a mere plan to keep in touch with friends and family has evolved into a pursuit to go a bit further to meet new people and explore new places; to find interesting things to write about. What is the reason to write? Simply because we know that people enjoy the musings. And it gives pleasure in knowing you can make people smile.

Thank you, Will Van Dorp, aka "Tugster", our famous water blogger friend who teaches English to college freshmen. "What shall I write about?" his students ask. You write when you have something to say. Because of Will, we will continue to write.

We know our sisters and sisters-in-law Jane Potter and Ann Rogers will read it; old and new friends Sooty Tanguay and Karen Hamade; curmudgeon and mission rescuer emeritus JB; Bill Baker, the world's greatest PR man, finishing up chemo and radiation; Fred, from Tug 44; Dave and Bicki Howell; friends in Maine; those who traveled with us by screen; ...



 
... and those who traveled with us and made the experience richer; those we met along the way; those who were among us in May and who have passed away; and those who are fighting to stay with us; new tug friends; and tug friends we have yet to meet.

We are no longer neophytes! Not experts, perhaps just equals with the rest of the boats in the harbor, having had the experience not only of handling the waters,  ...

but living a different lifestyle. At least once in your life, dare to get away - for a few months. Long enough to force a change in habits, meet people, and see new places. 

Thanks.