Our final sunset...

Today is the last full day of voyage for the first session of students aboard the Lady Maryland.  Tomorrow they leave on a jet plane, back to Baltimore and the university campus.  And back to real beds!  For some, it is an exciting prospect.  For others, it is a sad realization.  It has been so rewarding to see these students bond into a crew, come to care for one another, and learn the profit of hard physical labor and mental exercise. 

Last night we pulled into Cold Spring Harbor, a quaint little town with very friendly people.  The students were able to take a nice swim in the salt water of the harbor, relieving a lot of their pent up energy, and getting a well deserved rest.  The day was full of good sailing, and more sail handling than normal due to wind conditions.  The students rose to the challenge and genuinely enjoyed it.  One of the students commented, “There is something very rewarding about working with your hands.” 

The night watches were uneventful (which is a very good thing!) and the students woke refreshed and ready for a new day!  The little group set off to take Cold Spring by storm, and walk the half mile to the whaling museum.  What a museum!  Though small, the institution was thorough, and provided the student with information about past and present whale hunting practices, as well as new scientific instruments used to study whales.  The museum did a wonderful job of explaining why whale was hunted (back in the day and today), and showing the progression of the industry.  The students were fascinated, as were the adults with them.  What a wonderful way to start the morning!

Learning on the Lady Maryland is hands on!

Working below with the microscope.

We love to swim! 

Ready for the museum!

Scrimshaw:  The art of carving into whale bone.

The tusk of a narwhal.

Gift shop, anyone?

Checking out whale research technology

Investigating some of the research equipment available at the museum. 

Relaxing before the hard work of hauling back the anchor and getting underway

After the museum, the hands aboard the Lady Maryland enjoyed a good lunch, and set sail again.  And though our time out here draws to a close, for now that is what we must do: sail on, into our last hours of adventure!