New Summer, New Students, and a New Adventure

Hello all those out there in blog land!  Welcome aboard our 2013 season on the Lady Maryland!  The crew has been rearing to go, and the educators have been preparing all spring for this moment, and we are under way!  Yesterday a group of new students came on board.  They traveled up from Baltimore, MD in a 15 passenger van to meet the Lady Maryland at King's Point Maritime Academy on Long Island.  The ride was pleasantly passed playing car games and singing along to the radio.  One student even commented that his favorite part of the day was "when the AC was on full blast, eating fruity snacks" in the van!  Little did they know the adventure that awaited them.  After the students ate lunch aboard the Lady Maryland yesterday, the ship set sail, and made for Cold Springs Harbor, NY.  The students were introduced to the ship and her crew, as well as the rules that are in place to keep the Lady M safe and fun.  Night fell swiftly, and after explaining night watch, they were sent to bed down for the night, some choosing to sleep on deck while others nestled in their bunks.  Thus today dawned, sunny and bright, and the students appeared just as chipper as the sun.  After doing the daily chores, the students sat down for class with the educators, and learned how to perform a water quality test.  Then after lunch the students and crew shuttled in Lady M's small boat, "Swamp Fox," unto shore to visit the Cold Spring Harbor whaling museum.  What a sight!  Housed in a quaint building, the museum exudes New England charm.  Our students were given a tour of the museum, as well as shown a video that included actual footage from a whaling vessel in the early 20th century.  They also got to see different parts of a whale's skeleton, learn about the art that sailor's created, and experience some New York hospitality.  The students also are working on their own version of scrimshaw, which is a form of art commonly practiced by the whalers of old.  While original scrimshaw would be done on ivory or whale bone, the students are using a special nut to etch their design into.  So far, the projects are looking great!  It will be fun to see them completed.   After the whaling museum, our students shuttled back to the Lady M and helped Captain Michael "sail off the hook," or raise anchor and leave the anchorage without the use of motors.  The crew was dually impressed by the CTY student's hard work, willingness to learn, and energy put in to accomplishing their tasks.  So for now, the Lady Maryland sails on, prepped and ready for another great day tomorrow!