Tall Ships

Tall Ships Adventure

Webmasters have certain advantages -- we get to post our fun times and this is one of the best.

In May 2003 Charlie Olson and David McKercher signed on as "crew" on the Pride of Baltimore, an 18th century square rigged Baltimore clipper topsail schooner. We were crew in every sense -- we stood watch, trimmed sails, raised and lowered the anchor and sails, swabbed the deck and took our turns at the helm.

We were five days at sea -- from Jacksonville to Key West. To say it was an adventure is understating it. We had terrific weather, favorable sea breezes and and plenty of time to gain a new appreciation for the old time mariners.

At the end of the voyage we were met by Larry and Wanda Dry in Key West who entertained us royally for another three days at their home on No-Name Key.

Check out the pictures and eat your hearts out. Remember there are other adventures to come. Be prepared to join us next time.

Click thumbnails to enlarge.

Here she is, the Pride of Baltimore, our home for a 5 day adventure at sea. The pride is a replica of an 1802 "Revenuer" vessel. 157 feet including the enormous bowsprit.

Here we are on day one, beginning to enjoy the vessel and marveling at the number of lines, sails, and rigging that it takes to sail this ship.

Quintessential Charlie -- always checking the trim of the sails

We were preparing to climb into the high rigging -- note the safety harness. Fortunately we did not need it -- that would have been bad form to fall from the rigging. Can you tell the weather was perfect.

I am high in the forward rigging looking down at Charlie in the aft rigging -- and holding on for dear life. It is a long way down and the ship is swaying a bit.

Charlie and the crew enjoying the evening on the deck. The rest of the crew were all less than 25 years old -- they sign on for a season and are all very competent sailors. We enjoyed their enthusiasm.

We are raising the anchor with a two handled 6 man winch. We raise about 4 inches per stroke and there is 140 feet of anchor out -- tell me this is not hard work.

If you have been to Key West, you likely have been to Sloppy Joe's -- we hang out here waiting for Larry. I suspect if you stayed here long enough, you'd eventually see everyone you ever knew.

Hey, Charlie has one! A big dolphin [Mahi Mahi in the restaurants]. Larry Dry looks on and offers encouragement. We are in Larry's fishing boat about 30 miles from Havana.

The obligatory fish picture. We are all pretty excited. Eventually we caught 8 of them. Enough for some really good eating. They are truly gorgeous fish and fun to catch.

Here we are the great fishermen -- that really only applies to Larry -- he is the consummate fisherman. No one said you wouldn't get a bit dirty! What a fun time we had.

Larry also has a great sailboat and we, not having quite enough sailing, take it through its paces. Another nice day, another great sail. Life is good!

Larry Dry and his lovely wife Wanda

By the way, men are great cooks. Here are the masters making the Roux.

Let me see, lobster alfredo, salad, all preceded with stone crabs as an appetizer. Does it get any better than this? Did I mention that Larry catches the crabs and lobster --none of that store bought stuff here. Well maybe the beer. That's it folks. Life is good!