Provincetown 2010

photos from Ptown cruise in August

Launch 2010

Winds were a brisk 20 knots +, clearance at the Amtrak bridge on the Danvers River was pretty tight. My guests were Meg Dings and Timothy Follmer (age 8). Timothy was excited to take the tiller for a while.

Martha's Vineyard Cruise 2009

Foulies drying on the very successful J44 "Vamp" at Sandwich Marina

Calm, picturesque moorings at Hadley Harbor

"Boatbarn" at Hadley Harbor

Mystic in Edgartown Harbor (red sailcover).

4th of July, 2009

fireworks finale, launching from Pickering Wharf.

Tish and Brett in Boston

Tish and Eleanor

My good friends Tish Borkowski and Brett Houston visited for a few days from Chicago taking some time on their summer vacation. We had two days of great sailing, one mild, one not so mild but nice and brisk. Tish is an avid skier and originally met Lorraine on a famous (in some circles anyway) ski trip to France where the two met by chance in adjacent bunk assignments, and emerged longtime friends. Tish and Brett are native Chicagoans and enjoy life in Chicago and elsewhere with their 4 year old Eleanor.

Cruise to Scituate 2008

I cruised to Scituate with my friend Meg and John and Mary ("Vivid, J29", see bottom photo) under southerly winds in June of 2008. We had a most enjoyable trip including a tour of the Scituate Harbor Yacht Club (to which my Great Uncle was a founding member), dinner at the Mill Wharf Restaurant (great swordfish), and a great sunset tour of the harbor. Scituate Harbor was pleasant, serene and accomodating --

Postscript: Mary and John are now expecting twin boys!

"Vivid" (J29)

Lorraine Cosgrove Ware

June 15, 1964 – September 25, 2007

My wife and best friend Lorraine Cosgrove was a champion.

Lorraine excelled at skiing, running, sailing, and other pursuits. But, more importantly, she was a bright and persistently generous light, who constantly gave to others even while facing a personal crisis that impacted her daily, but which she met with monumental courage, strength, and dignity.

Lorraine is loved by so many which makes her premature departure greatly sad and unexplainable. I cherish 10 wonderful vivid years with her - thankfully the memories will never leave me.

Lorraine and I enjoyed our first date (and first adventure together) aboard her father's Hunter 30 Imagine. The seas were definitely "angry" that day, but on-board things couldn't have been more peaceful and ideal. It took only the one day to know that I'd found someone special - our sail lasted 10 more years and included so many adventures and memorable days.

She was the most loving wife, daughter, aunt, sister, and friend anyone could possibly have. She was smart, multi-talented, courteous, sincerely caring, funny, mischievous, and on top of all this, always looked sharp if not stunning even after spending a night aboard Mystic.

Armed with her trademark sharp wit, easy smile, and beautiful infectious laugh, Lorraine quietly raised spirits wherever she went - and most definitely always raised mine. To her parents - Linda and Jim, and stepmother Barbara, Lorraine was an especially dear daughter and even close friend. To her siblings Susan, Jimmy and Will, she was a truly devoted and loving sister. To her many nieces and nephews, she was a fun and beloved aunt.

Lorraine - Our time together and memories are priceless and eternal. Disease, time or distance can't diminish my love for you or the memories we share - I love you now and in eternity.

- YLH

A Sampling of Memorable Quotes:

• "Well I'm going to mark my calendar!" (early on, Lorraine's lightening quick reaction to my mocking but still pathetic, tongue-and-cheek attempt to "lure her in" - bragging that I was almost fully vested in the company ESOP)
• "Want a bowl of Captain Crunch?" (Lorraine's first question to me on our first date, posed at approx. 10am, an appropriate time for Captain Crunch)
• "The ability to 'accessorize' separates us from the animals."
  (a playful postscript when offering fashion advice to friends)
  
• "Yes Please!" (always with exaggerated smile, and often with extended arms when offered Kimball's ice cream, her favorite)
• "Wanna do some sit-ups?" (her usual 10 pm ritual, too late for me, but she enjoyed checking)
• "Are you jumpin' in Mr. Tanman?" (once posed to a snowboarding youngster wearing tan snow suit, about to enter a half-pipe)
• "Let's hit it!" (another ski expression, encouraging the group to attack the hill.)
  
• "Get out!" (as Seinfeld's Elaine would say, Lorraine was also expert at the "Elaine bad dance")
• "hun, hun, hun!" (if Mystic healed excessively)
• "Who wants some happy apple pancakes!" (her favorite breakfast delicacy that was as much fun to talk about as it was to make and enjoy)
  
• "Love bug sweety?" (she sometimes said to wake me, we were never big on pet names but Lorraine's delivery was unforgettable)
• "Merci blah blah..."
  

Well the sun is surely sinking down
But the moon is slowly rising
So this old world must still be spinning round
And I still love you

So close your eyes
You can close your eyes, its all right
I don't know no love songs
And I can't sing the blues anymore
But I can sing this song
And you can sing this song
When I'm gone

It wont be long before another day
We gonna have a good time
And no one's gonna take that time away
You can stay as long as you like

- James Taylor ("You Can Close Your Eyes")

I love you Lorraine Cosgrove

Florida Pete, Julie, and Nathan

Florida Pete and Nathan "Pancho" Ware

Julie and Pancho - maybe thinking about putting a ship inside the bottle?

We were visited today by Florida Pete and family. Florida Pete is the owner and purveyor at the HydroMountain, a hydroponic hot sauce farm at an undisclosed location in Florida that produces the famous Pete's Hydrohot hot sauce.

After touring Mystic's cabin and fitting young Nathan with a life vest, Florida Pete cast off the bowlines, and we headed out the channel under genoa. Winds were steady at 15-20+ knots, the genoa was all we needed to keep our speed at 5 knots and everyone comfortable for lunch. Nathan enjoyed the breeze, his juice bottle, and a long nap. Nathan also learned how to say "okeedokee" - not really a nautical term but lingo that I'm sure will come in handy on the clay courts someday. Fun was had by all on a beautiful late summer day in New England.

Perfect Timing

Basic black with lightning accents

The disarmingly handsome sailing instructor Ken Green, and first mate Lorraine

Thea takes a well deserved nap after storm watch duty

Guided once again by the disarmingly handsome sailing instructor, Ken Green (see maiden voyage entry), we performed a graceful mooring departure under jib, weaving through the mooring field to the channel under sail. Winds began steady and light but became gusty. Almost immediately after a cautionary reef was put in place, junior Weather Officer Thea heard thunder, saw lightning and alertly warned the crew. Heading past Kettlebottom Ledge towards safety, the Salem horizon transitioned through many shades of grey, finally settling on basic black with lightning accents.

As we finished lunch at the mooring, the thunder and lightning show was finally joined by rain.

Cruise to Scenic Rockport

Mystic rafted by Motif #1 in Rockport

John sets lines for a big tide swing

Dear J Boats: a shot for your brochure

Day 1

Back in 2001, my 9yr old niece Maeve was astonished by my small gas grill at our home in Sudbury. "That's your grill?" she said with sarcasm that seemed excessive in grill commentary (Bobby Flay - possible exception). Maeve was reacting from experience, accustomed to larger multi-burners in her neighborhood and less familiar with the portable type.

Our new Magma "Newport" marine grill came with us on our two day cruise to Rockport. The Magma is pure stainless, has just one burner but when attached to a 30 foot sailboat, anchored at the scenic location of your choice, it grills big. MAGMA Big!

Lorraine and I traveled to Misery Island off Manchester By the Sea to rendezvous with Vivid, the J29 owned by John and Mary Wardley. John and Mary are experienced sailors and racers, have been very generous in offering sail coaching and general advise throughout our two years of ownership. More importantly, they are fun sail companions (and have a dinghy).

Off Misery Island, we tied up at public moorings, assembled our new grill, made the attachment to the stern rail (securely attached, it looks like it will fall over at any moment), and barbecued beef and salmon burgers for dinner.

Bruce, Lisa, Sarah, and Sam

why car keys must always be left at the dock house!

Today we had a lovely sail with Bruce, Lisa, Sarah, and Sam around Salem harbor. Our niece and nephew both enjoyed the cabin and its cool hide-a-way spaces. Sarah napped in the V-birth for a bit and then joined Bruce on the deck. Lisa relaxed in the cockpit. Sam explored below, then napped in the cockpit.

Ship Shape

The day started off sunny and warm but then cooled off around 10:00. Did a lot of cleaning and organizing, waxing and buffing. Decided to visit the House of Seven Gables. I just reread the Hawthorne novel and thought it was a good idea to visit the landmark since many of our guests ask about it.

Looking forward to our next sail.

We're in the Water Now

We came up to Hawthorne Cove around noon and went for a sail around Salem harbor with the mainsail only. Wind was out of the Northwest and a bit gusty later in the day (20 knots). Saw John the launch driver. Always pleasant and a pleasure to talk to. After dinner at the Salem Beer Works we spent a very calm night aboard Mystic. Seas were flat all night and there was very little boat traffic.

Max wind speed: 18
Max SOG: 6.5
Winds out of the Northwest

Launch Day 2007

Launched from Danversport Marina at 8:30 am followed by Vivid and Friends. Everything went smoothly. We motored down the Danversport River and under two bridges, without much waiting. As we approached Hawthorne's Cove, we radioed ahead. They were expecting us and put us on the same mooring as last season. Bob, the Captain of Friends, was also given the same spot as last year but Vivid is closer to Rockwell or Rockwood? Not sure exactly. I'm sure we'll find them by July!

We finally took the old name, Mercury off the boat and replaced it with her new name, Mystic, Salem, MA. We'll have the official ceremony later this month.

Fall Hybernation

Mystic at her off-season home - ready for snow under a Fairclough cover.