LOCALadk Magazine

"Sailing is magic," says Noah Barnes, captain of the Stephen Tabor, a passenger schooner sailing Penobscot Bay out of Rockland Maine. "We use cloth and wood to turn wind into motion." While the physics of sailing involves pressure differentials as the wind moves over the sails and creates li on a vertical plane, in the hands of Captain Barnes and his supremely capable crew, it does feel magical to travel over the surface of this broad ocean bay at more than 10 knots. In June 2021, with the pandemic slowly resolving, the opportunity to sail on a dual-masted, triple-rigged schooner beckoned us out of isolation and onto this 150-year-old wooden vessel. My wife, Leah, my sister Anne, and our good friend Carolyn Gentry, along with 15 other passengers and a crew of six ventured out of the harbor and onto the bay for a three-day excursion directed, as Captain Barnes would say, "Wherever the wind leads us." e Stephen Tabor is a windjammer vessel, meaning that aside from being limited to the 800 square miles of Penobscot Bay, the trip will be directed by the wind. Literally, going with the flow becomes the order of the entire cruise. Named to honor the Americans native to the region, this body of water, populated with over 200 islands, is a sailor's paradise. In every direction, the view provides a different vista: low rocky outcrops emerge as the tide recedes, formidable granite cliffs plunge to cobble- strewn shorelines, and picturesque lighthouses on elevated perches provide the perfect backdrop for an awesome selfie. Our voyage experienced excellent weather, with strong aernoon winds, lots of sunshine, and cool, comfortable nights. Maine is not always so temperate, but the early-June sun warmed the water, which got the air circulating, producing impressive winds. e crew of the Stephen Tabor really know how to care for their guests. ey are attentive to every passenger's needs and are committed to ensuring the cruise is interesting and exciting. While on board, we helped with certain tasks, like pulling up the mainsail and liing the anchor—a task that requires two teams to pump on either side of a mechanical winch. e anchor weighs over 200 pounds, but the advantage of the winch makes it an engaging process rather than a bit of drudgery. e person second in command is the first mate. On this voyage, it is my daughter Korina. With a passion for sailing, stoked by her grandfather, Korina grew up on the water. She became an expert sailor, who earned a captain's license of her own. If an emergency befalls Captain Barnes, Korina will take charge of every aspect of operating the Stephen Tabor. It was especially gratifying for me to see her skills and abilities effectively carrying out the captain's orders by guiding the rest of the crew through all the intricate actions necessary to safely adjust the sails and keep the ship on course. As I watched her work, I grew to appreciate all the effort that goes into keeping such a magnificent boat fully operational. I realized first- hand that a sailor's day is very long and always occupied. One of the passengers asked me why I was always smiling. I told her, "My pride turns up my lips every time I see Korina do something more that amazes me." Randy, our chef, did an incredible job preparing fantastic meals. His culinary excellence becomes even more impressive when you realize the cooking is being done on a 100-year-old wood-fired stove. Because the Stephen Tabor's owners are committed to historic preservation, the vessel's rustic galley is nearly original. Randy demonstrated tenacity and grit as he undertook the challenge of cooking for so many with only a dra gauge and wood volume LOCALadk 29

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