Welcome Aboard
Posted by jovannatheintern on July 5, 2008
Since leaving the Victoria Harbor, the Tall Ships Race Team has been here, there, and everywhere. We all took separate routes to get to the next port in Tacoma. Another intern, Karen, and I were lucky enough to volunteer on the Lynx for the journey.
The Lynx crew was more than welcoming and very enthusiastic about teaching us the ropes (lines) of sailing their square topsail schooner. They gave us the opportunity to climb aloft, haul lines, and tie knots. It was an engaging and challenging 4 days. We definitely received a firsthand look at the life of a sailor and the importance of sail training.
The Lynx started their voyage by taking part in the race from Victoria to Port Angeles. It was a beautiful and sunny day, plus the wind was brisk and moved us along at a steady 8 knots, powering the boat steadily through the water. After a night in Port Angeles, we took off for Port Townsend. Here I got to wake up for my first anchor watch. Despite that it was a calm and uneventful night; I was able to stay wide awake with the serene, starry night sky above me and list of checks that had to be made every half hour.
After Port Townsend we set off for Quartermaster Harbor. On the way Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain joined us for a stroll around Elliott Bay in front of the city of Seattle. We fired our canons (guns) off at the city and heard the echo roll for miles.
In Quartermaster Harbor we joined many of the ships that will be a part of the Tall Ships Tacoma festival. There was a barbeque thrown for the crews and it gave us a chance to sit back and relax before the excitement of the upcoming days started.
Now we are all joined in Tacoma and the festival seems to be taking over the town. All the volunteers and festival coordinators are keeping things running smoothly we embark on day one!
