Coastline Treasures

I love ships and the open sea; the sky that goes forever, the smells of salt water, the spray of the ocean, and the sounds of the lapping water along its edge.  Ships have been a part of history since time began and a recent trip introduced me to the schooner.  This multi-masted sailing vessel has two of more sails that are parallel to the body of the ship.  They were popular with trades that required speed; slaving, privateering, blockade running, fishing and pirating.

Schooners were most popular in the United States and Essex, Massachusetts was their most significant shipbuilding center.  Essex built more than 4,000 schooners and most were used for the fishing industry along the Massachusetts coast.  These fabulous ships of the 1800′s can be preserved as a wooden model ship; I brought one home and enjoy it every day.

I remember our trip to San Francisco when my children were young.  The sounds, smells, street entertainers, the sea lions, China Town; there was so much to see and do in this beautiful hillside city.  Trying to decide what to see first, we walked along Fisherman’s Wharf.  To my surprise, there they were; huge ships from the 1800′s on their own pier.  As we got closer, I discovered that it was the San Francisco Maritime National Park.

Here there were a half dozen or so ships from yesteryear.  Dating from 1886 to 1914 were real ships that had been used and restored.  There was a square-rigger, schooners, steam ferryboat, steam tug, and a paddlewheel tug.  We had a blast as the kids went running from ship to ship to walk aboard and explore.  The seaman that sailed these vessels had to have been brave to cross the seas in them.  Seeing these wooden model ships was such a wonderful surprise. 

Several years ago we vacationed on the east coast in North Carolina.  We stayed in the Outer Banks which is a fabulous place to visit with ongoing lengthy sandy beaches seeming to be endless.  I remember the blue skies with white puffy clouds and warm waters.  The west coast waters are so cold; it was a delight to be able to jump right in and not turn blue!

As we drove the entire length and visited site seeing spots, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Cape Hatteras, I was amused that I could take in the sites on the sea and in the bay at the same time!  The bay was filled with wind surfers, jet skies, sail boats and canoes.  Everyone was enjoying themselves as was I.  I didn’t want the trip to end so I bought myself a nautical décor souvenir that I enjoy each day.  Every day I am fondly reminded of our trip.