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| The Car is Ready to Go! |
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| Jannie at Spinney's |
On Saturday, August 25, 2012, we packed the car, and after a fine lunch at Spinney's and a final tour of Fort Popham, we headed back to Camden for our final week in Maine. We reluctantly left Branch Haven and the Phippsburg area, filled with memories that will stay with us for years.
Our plans for this week were to just take it easy, as we looked forward to Camden Windjammer Days, scheduled for Labor Day Weekend. This annual event would bring the entire windjammer fleet (approximately 12 schooners) into Camden Harbor for a weekend of schooner related events and activities. This particular Windjammer Weekend would be extra special, as the Schooner Mary Day's Captains Barry and Jen were planning a number of special events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mary Day's launching in 1962. While the condition of the Mary Day is always impeccable, this week her crew put some extra elbow grease into some last minute sprucing.
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| Spotless, As Usual! |
Adding a little mystery to the Mary Day's birthday celebration was the promise of a big surprise to be revealed at her birthday party on Sunday, September 2, 2012. The mystery, known simply as the Belle Project, was shrouded in secrecy, and the suspense level rose daily.
This week we learned that here is a lot of preparation required to ensure a successful event. A lion's share of the preparation fell to our gracious hostess, Captain Jen. Over the years, Captain Jen and Captain Barry, through their selfless hospitality and unbridled kindness, have made us feel part of the Schooner Mary Day's legacy. So it was a no brainer, Jannie and I (but mostly Jannie) rolled up our sleeves and offered our services. To commemorate the Mary Day's 50th, Captain Jen had planned to pour through the myriad of photographs and newspaper articles chronicling the Mary Day's colorful history. Displays incorporating these photos and articles were put together each evening, into the wee hours of the morning. Lights blazed into the night at the Mary Day's Global Headquarters. Due to the intensity of these late night/early morning work sessions, no actual photographs of the project are known to exist. You'll just have to use your imagination!
Of course, it wasn't just "all work and no play", for Jannie and I; after all we were still on vacation, weren't we?
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| Tess & Friends |
While in Camden at the beginning of August, we learned, that as she has done in the past, Tess Gerritsen, Camden resident and New York Times Best Selling Author, would appear for a book signing of her latest Rizzoli and Isles mystery, "Last to Die". Ms. Gerritsen traditionally begins her national book tours at Camden's Owl and Turtle Bookstore, and this year was no exception. We have met Ms. Gerritsen several times over the years, and she has always been gracious and charming. Needless to say, after a great diner at the Water Front Restaurant, Jannie and I headed over to the Owl and the Turtle for our latest date with Tess. Tess did not disappoint; she is a gracious and charming lady, and really seems to enjoy these encounters with her fans. We certainly enjoyed our encounter with Teas.
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| Lake Megunticook |
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| Fernald's Neck |
On Wednesday, we took some time to visit some of our favorite "area" haunts. First on our list was the Fernald's Neck Preserve, a scenic peninsula on Lake Megunticook. Our hike took us through a dense forest and then along an elevated ridge overlooking the lake.
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| Rockin' Jannie |
Before completing our trek, Jannie attempted to take a souvenir rock with her back to the car. Fortunately she was unsuccessful.
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| Cellardoor Winery |
Next on our agenda was the Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville, just a few miles away. For some reason, this seems to be one of Jannie's favorite spots. The winery's grounds are picture perfect as is the excellent wine tasting experience they provide.
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| Jannie, On Deck! |
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| The Whale's Tooth |
After yet another trip up to the summit of Mt. Battie, we ended the day with dinner at our favorite restaurant, the Whale's Tooth in Lincolnville Beach. It was a perfect evening, so we dined on the deck looking out onto Penobscot Bay across to Islesboro.
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| The Heritage and the Victory Chimes |
Friday was the start of Camden Windjammer Weekend. This was arrival day, as the windjammer fleet made its way into Camden's Inner Harbor. We too, made our way into Camden's Inner Harbor, and spent most of the day just roaming the Camden waterfront.
On Saturday, Camden Windjammer Weekend kicked off the morning in earnest. Jannie and I spent the early part of the day aboard the Schooner Mary Day, helping to get her ready for the 2:00 PM public tour and 4:30 PM wedding, officiated by Captain Barry, in a jacket and tie, no less!
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| I Do! |
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| Ready for the Tour |
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| Getting Ready |
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| Mary Day Memories |
The official party began at around 11:00 AM as the rain continued to fall. Captain Barry opened the festivities sharing some of his experiences since he and Captain Jen had assumed ownership. Captain Barry noted members of the Gamage family, relatives of Harvey Gamage of South Bristol, Maine, who had built the Mary Day for Havilah Hawkins in 1962.
Ron and Haddie Hawkins were next called to the podium, and they too shared memories of their father and their years aboard the Mary Day.
Steve Cobb was also in attendance, and he too added his own memories. Finally Captain Barry called on yours truly to come up and say a few words on behalf of the more than 20,000 passengers who have sailed on the Mary Day since its launch. With shaking knees, I made my way forward, and hopefully did not embarrass myself, nor the Mary Day. In retrospect I must admit that it was a great honor to be a part, albeit small, of this historic event.
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| Surprise! |
The formal part of the birthday party was followed by refreshments and, of course, birthday cake, and then the unveiling of the Belle Project. To the drone of a bagpipe, played on deck by another frequent passenger, a drape covering the transom was ceremoniously removed, revealing a magnificently carved, gold leafed eagle. To say the least it was extremely moving.
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| Admiral Jannie |
Jannie and I were scheduled to help with Sunday's public tour, but since their were ample crew aboard, we were given the afternoon off. A highlight of Windjammer Weekend was the visit of the U.S. Navy Guided Missile Cruiser, USS Normandy. Because of her size, 567 feet, the Normandy had anchored in open water near Curtis Island. Since were not needed on the Mary Day we were able to take a tour of the war ship. After going through a security check point we were ferried out to the Normandy. Once on board we were split into smaller groups, and given an in depth tour of the boat. This was a bonus that neither Jannie nor I had expected.
That evening we again dined at the Water Front Restaurant, then returned to the Mary Day to view the fireworks display, that had been postponed from its original date on Friday. This was a great end to Camden Windjammer Days, and in a way to our fabulous vacation in the beautiful State of Maine.
Jannie and I stayed around for Labor Day, leaving for home on Tuesday, hoping to avoid the Labor Day traffic. We divided the travel day in half, spending the night in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and finally returning home on Wednesday.
Well, this finally ends our initial "On the Road With Curt and Jan" blog. Thanks for taking this trip with us, if anyone actually did. If you are still out there, please drop us a line and let us know your thoughts.
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