Den Helder is a quiet town/village that seems to run on bicycle power. Everywhere one looks there are people riding bikes. Not that many cars out so very peaceful to walk around and enjoy especially after coming off the boat and not dealing with traffic for an extended length of time.
And then there are the canal boats (both sailboats and barge type boats) that people are living on that one walks by.
Centerpiece of town with the local seagull on the lamp post.
Time spent in Derry weather wise was like living on the Pacific Northwest coast. Lots of cloudy, drizzly days. But our day of departure turned out mostly sunny and no rain.
A choir meets on the dock as we prepare to depart and sings for us. They even did a moving version of “Danny Boy”.
Then our usual parade of sail around the harbor and finally up the Foyle river. Continue reading
Obviously we were having way too much fun here at the Clipper Festival. The sad news is that the grant that they had to put the festival on has run out and the future looks rather quiet for this event. Keep your fingers crossed that it will somehow return.
The first version of the Clipper Round the world race boat. It is a 60 foot boat and I am not sure how many crew. Clipper has come a long way in developing the event and the boat!
Different views of our sleek racing machine the Clipper 70. Quite a change. So I am providing a little history. It’s good for you!
And here are some of the adventures that you can have while at Derry! You can be the pirate or just do some paddling around in one form or another.
And my first glance at SAILability. Sailing for disabled of all ages. They are made in Australia and have a special seat that lays back and a joystick to steer with.
All kinds of events happening from Pirates to drumlines to Orange Parade with Percussion and accordion bands to weddings on the pier. Can’t ask for much more than that.
Musicians everywhere. Even came across Irish Paul listening to his friend play guitar.
Then there was a recruitment sail to take people interested in the adventure out for a trial run. Some were just about ready to sign up and definitely should. They had a chance to do some winch grinding, hoist sails, tack and gybe. Then of course they learned to bring down the Yankee in a very wonderful way as taught by Jo. A really fun day for all of us! I look forward to checking the crew website for the 2017-18 race to see if I recognize any of these fun people.
Patsy and Nick Rainey (crew legs 2, 3, 4) with Regina (crew legs 4 and 8) and then RTWs Gavin and Kat with Kat’s sister. Discovered that Nick was a sculptor and after seeing some pictures from his gallery know that he is also an amazing artist as well as sailor. Gavin is the young man that rescued a man stuck at the top of a mast during the Hobart to Airlie Beach race. His boat Mission Performance answered a mayday call from a non clipper boat and went to their rescue. Gavin then proceeded to work with the man for a couple of hours to get him down safely. Great young man.
Monuments everywhere and they remember all servicemen from all countries. I had trouble getting up on the chairs for this table. Think it might be for Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk. However I did have some great ice cream and pizza with no egg on it! The church is actually a fitness center currently.
And for our final night a lighted boat parade ending in fireworks. Ryan was our flare bearer as we went. Beautiful night with moon and entertainment both visually and musically. The bottom two pictures are from the Clipper Round the World website.The story behind the lighted festival is as follows (from Clipper Round the World website).
The River Foyle will be transformed into a magical, mythical stage tonight as the Clipper Race fleet takes the lead role in the theatrical finale to the Foyle Maritime Festival 2016, The Voyage of Sunniva – Night of the Two Moons.
Sunniva was a medieval Irish Queen, who, when an invading king wanted to marry her, fled with her people in small boats and without navigation, trusting to her god and to the elements.
Their journey took her north through storms and conflict to the caves of the Norwegian gateway island of Selja. Later, when armed men came for them, they hid and prayed for their caves to collapse, which they did saving them from being ravaged.
The legend then tells of the island glowing with light, of sweet smelling bones and years later of her intact body being uncovered seemingly asleep and being transported to the new cathedral in Bergen, of which she is now the patron Saint.
St Sunniva is a maritime saint and there have been various craft named after her.Tonight mysterious figures will walk the Quayside before joining their Queen for a final parade of light on the river as Sunniva and her followers prepare for their journey.
Derry it was a pleasure being your guest. Great people and amazing town. Thank you!
As usual, I am a bit late in sharing my trip, but hope that you will enjoy these pictures taken during some tours that we went on in the region and in Derry. Above I am enjoying a view at Carrick-a-Rode (The wobbly bridge).
Tour of the city of Derry. Above are some of the cannons still in place on the Wall that surrounded the city. Jen, Alex, Jill and Clem at one of the cannons.
From Wikipedia about the walls. “Derry is the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe. The walls constitute the largest monument in State care in Northern Ireland and, as the last walled city to be built in Europe, stands as the most complete and spectacular.
The Walls were built in 1613–1619 by The Honourable The Irish Society as defences for early 17th century settlers from England and Scotland. The Walls, which are approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) in circumference and which vary in height and width between 3.7 and 10.7 metres (12 and 35 feet), are completely intact and form a walkway around the inner city. They provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town which still preserves its Renaissance style street plan. The four original gates to the Walled City are Bishop’s Gate, Ferryquay Gate, Butcher Gate and Shipquay Gate. Three further gates were added later, Magazine Gate, Castle Gate and New Gate, making seven gates in total. Historic buildings within the walls include the 1633 Gothic cathedral of St Columb, the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and the courthouse.
It is one of the few cities in Europe that never saw its fortifications breached, withstanding several sieges including one in 1689 which lasted 105 days, hence the city’s nickname, The Maiden City.“
The church left is St. Columb’s Cathedral and the one on the right is Church of Ireland, St. Augustine’s Church.
Our tour guide gave us quite a historical view of Derry and the political strife that it had been through and that he had grown up during. Very moving emotionally and educationally. Above are photos from the part of Derry that still wants to remember its past and continue to look for peace. I did not know that Bloody Sunday had happened here so now I have learned some history. The dove of peace mural and the mural of Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Sister Teresa signify to me that they are looking for peace even now.
And of course we had to see the remnants of a castle. Dunluce Castle which was built between the 15th and 17th century controlled both the land and sea routes of North Ulster. It is in the state of being fixed up with most of it completed.
Interesting in that in order to use the toilets, we had to buy some food and sit down to eat. Laura, Jill, Clem, Jen, and Elaine (trying to disguise herself) all enjoying some great tea and cakes. No pictures of food as we were all starved!
Just a point of interest. Northern Ireland is nestled both under, and over to the side of the Irish Republic. When it was explained that Northern Ireland was actually south of Ireland I did not understand until I saw this map. Not totally south but partially.
And then we came to the Giant’s Causeway. Truly AMAZING!!
From Wikipedia: “The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcaniceruption.[1][2] It is also known as Clochán an Aifir or Clochán na bhFomhórach in Irish[3] and tha Giant’s Causey in Ulster-Scots.[4]
Around 50 to 60 million years ago,[1] during the Paleocene Epoch, Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity, when highly fluid molten basalt intruded through chalk beds to form an extensive lava plateau. As the lava cooled, contractionoccurred. Horizontal contraction fractured in a similar way to drying mud, with the cracks propagating down as the mass cooled, leaving pillarlike structures, which are also fractured horizontally into “biscuits”. In many cases the horizontal fracture has resulted in a bottom face that is convex while the upper face of the lower segment is concave, producing what are called “ball and socket” joints. The size of the columns is primarily determined by the speed at which lava from a volcanic eruption cools.[7] The extensive fracture network produced the distinctive columns seen today. The basalts were originally part of a great volcanic plateaucalled the Thulean Plateau which formed during the Paleocene.[8]”
There is also a legend that goes with this area and how it got its name, but you will have to go to Wikipedia and read it.
Amazing stepping stones and color. Do you think the giant used these or are they too little for his big feet?
Just thought you needed some water as a refresher. The bottom three pictures are from left to right, the wall of stone from a distance and then closer up. Pretty amazing.
Some of the rocks even curve. Amazing and makes me want to go to Pompeii to see the volcanic action there.
Below is the hike back to the start of our journey at the Causeway. So we really do get to exercise our legs at times.
Checking out balance on the “Onion Rocks” and just sharing some of the beauty of nature on the trail.
Continuing on to Carrick-a-Rode, the suspension bridge.
The bridge with courageous travelers and with guide helping a frightened patron back to safety.
Clem, Han, Laura and Elaine ready to go for their walk across. The picture on the left is the rescue boat should anyone take a swim. The one on the right is an interesting cave below.
Mother nature at her finest! If I don’t have sunsets or sunrises for you I just have to find something else interesting.
Elaine, Shelly and Neil on return trip to land. Shelly is the one that made my return to the boat for finish possible!! (After my exciting end of journey!)
And to end the day a trip to Bushmills. We did not take the tour or tasting, but did manage to get one taste. This is one of those should I or should I?
End of tour for today! Definitely Derry is a place to visit!!
Meet my other new Irish friend, Irish Paul. He was on our recruitment sail and we had a great visit and time with me learning about Ireland on the bus ride back to Derry. He did an interview on the bus and then posted it to Facebook. Fun guy and one if our big cheerers when we left Derry. Out of the crowd came a roaring LINDA and I looked and there was Paul!!
Of course, when in Ireland I had to toast my mom who was born on St. Patrick’s day with an Irish Coffee. Great excuse?
Then there was the interview with Colum for BBC the live interview on the radio while at the docks. I will be bringing home a CD with the big interview on it that was aired the Sunday we left. Never a dull moment.
Then there was crew BBQ #1 on the docks. Han was our master chef! Great gathering.
Jill, Elaine, Jen, Jo and Sam and of course Tom at the BBQ.
And of course John talking with his Mom? while awaiting for the food to be ready. Hmmm, now I know what those big sail bags are for. Easy chair!
A crew dinner here and this became some of the crew’s favorite eating place.
You have to be fast if you eat with our bunch!
Yes, you guessed it, egg on pizza. I would recommend not to try it that way! Dessert though was awesome!
This was a meal with Sue and Danny. Interesting! Especially trying to figure out how to eat it with manners. Being on the boat all year has given me some strange table manners I am afraid. It is like being in “Oliver” or “Annie’s” orphanages when the food comes out. It just quickly disappears.
And so I will leave you for now with a toast for a great upcoming weekend. Cheers! (Yep, Irish coffee)
The Peace Bridge is a cycle and footbridge across River Foyle that connects Ebrington Square with the rest of the city centre. It is intended to improve relations between the largely unionist “Waterside” with the largely nationalist “Cityside:” by improving access between these areas , as part of wider regeneration plans. (From Wikipedia)
From the mast, a look at the nearby town area and the line of current coming down the river.
Friends from Austin Yacht Club show up. Sarah and Margaret Faust at play. I am not sure who is having the most fun. Eric didn’t fit so he and I took pictures!
Eric demonstrating the small size of coke bottles.
First a brass band and then a community concert band on opening day of festival. How did I luck into this?
Had a great day with new friends Danny and Sue helping me discover things to enjoy in Derry.
More fun and good food. I wanted to try the rowboats but they said I was too big!
Then there was the July 12th celebration (Orangeman’s Day celebrating the Glorious Revolution of 1688) with bands marching, bonfires (no they are not as big as Aggie bonfires). The bands were either percussion and flute/piccolo or percussion and accordion.
No, not an Aggie bonfire but tradition and history reign here.
Well, battery is about gone so I guess that means me also! Have a great week, and check out TODAY show on NBC Saturday. They may be doing something on the race and our arrival in London!
The photo above was taken as we crossed the finish line for the race to Derry Ireland. We are the red boat at the mark. Derry and LMax are the little boats above us as they had already finished and were waiting for us.
Now for continuing the saga of the race!
June 29th 969 more miles to ! We are currently still in 1st with LMax behind us. They are still heading south east of us.
Took some time and worked in the sail locker during early morning watch. Did some whipping on bad areas of mooring lines and a replacement doughnut for the Code 1 clew. Wish I had a real doughnut to munch on!! Kat has a different way to make doughnuts that is much easier but leaving tape inside the line makes me nervous. Thus doing it the way I was originally taught on a small area really frustrates me but I DID IT!!
I am currently on my Time Out, so just trying to find things to fix below. Between pain killers I am sleeping a lot.
Just heard that the race has been extended 500 miles as we are currently going to finish prior to Derry law about advertised events happening. Crew is not happy, but I am still just sleeping a lot and fixing things below. After 3 days of sleeping a lot and doing odd jobs I finally started reading and then escaped and snuck up on watch!
July 3rd and 4th were rock and roll days and several position changes. As we got close to the Rock we had to go around Lmax is right in front and Derry is coming up in port tack to the left of us. We had an amazing experience and I will find someone that had their camera up, but we , LMax and Derry were about 3 boat lengths apart when Derry crossed LMax. Truly a highlight of sailing!! Then we let them go play and for some reason Matt thought we had to pass the rock with 2 miles clearance. Derry and Lmax were at a 1 mile clearance. Apparently he had not read a corrected email so we went way to far over. Later we were catching LMax and noticed they had changed sails (gone to windseeker) and then they gybed over and went to port of us. We should have taken good note of that as they were getting out of the wind hole that we then fell into. To make matters worse, we continued toward the land and really dug ourselves into the hole. Our saving grace was that the other boats were really far behind!!
Sean and Westy doing some great helming and keeping us in the race!
Kat, Linda, Justin and Sean doing their share to move the boat.
Neil and his work on making sure that our wining pennants are ready to go up our posting halyard when we dock! Go Neil!
Jo waiting for us to send a sail back down to the sail locker! Notice she is feeling much better than in the first picture you saw!
Neil, are you making Jo do all the work?
Finished at last and LMax and Derry both were there to cheer us on! Thank you!
What did we see on this adventure? Rough seas, doldrums (NO WIND and current pushing us backwards), Rain, big thunder and lightening, daylight that lasted FOREVER. There were some nights due to our northern position that actually did not go completely dark. At the most we sometimes had only 1 hour of gray light and the rest was like we were waiting for either the sunset or sunrise. Very different and just one more of Mother Nature’s special moments.
We also saw the white bellied dolphins and lots more birds during this race.
And now the Northern Irish coastline. Actually this is a picture of the Southern coast of Ireland, with Derry actually situated below and to the south of it. Very strange, but if they don’t have a problem with north and south I guess I don’t either.
And for my friends that are into light houses! Here’s one for you.
And another!
Just beautiful countryside. We are passing Greencastle now which is really in the Southern Ireland area (The Republic of Ireland)??
And here we have cows watching us motor up the Foyle river and well wishers at different parts. Though most of them are wearing Derry Londonderry colors.
An interesting time was having to wait in the current and tide area for the welcoming ceremonies to happen for Derry and LMax before we could come in. Did you know that the River Foyle is also the fastest-flowing river in Europe for its size?
People lined up along the river waiting for us! Justin Taylor, Race director working to get us secured at the dock!
And what a welcome! Confetti, canon shots, the mayor, bagpiper and just plain old craziness! Yes I am the one on the right holding the banner with confetti in front of my face. Tom and I knew what was coming and that was a champagne shower thus our hoods are on!
The Mayor and bagpiper awaiting our arrival.
The bagpiper then played us on to the welcome tent and bacon and sausage sandwiches accompanied by either wine or beer to drink. Where is the water???
So that is the saga for our getting to Derry. Great fun and once again all kinds of crazy weather! If my battery doesn’t give out you might get more later. Otherwise it is wait til London!
Welcome to my world. The view above is where I get to work and I love it. This is a picture of our arrival at Derry, me up the mast taking both spinnaker halyard blocks and lines off to replace bearings and redo primary straps. This shows several of the boats working on their “deep clean” which we all do for a couple of days after arrival.
So, now I am in Den Helder Holland enjoying the peace and quiet of a town where almost everyone is riding around on bicycles. Just loving the relaxing atmosphere and not only that I have found a great café that the internet has helped me upload pictures of the NYC to Derry journey. So here goes!
After a great time in the NYC area, we began our next race.
Our usual parade of sail leaving. Love the boats against the skyline. For my band director friends, please note that 70 foot boats can keep interval spacing, so be sure that this coming month you get those band kids following our example!
After motoring out for several hours, doing a man overboard drill and some reefing drills, a LeMans start was in our future with our boat being the center of the line and calling the timing and anyone over early. Although it was exciting being the boat in charge, it was distracting and we did not accomplish our best start.
We were at the back of the pack most of the night, but did manage to get some great photos!
Each watch took turns overtaking boats and then losing them. No one was super awesome that night but all were doing their best. We came back on at 6am and were a bit shorthanded due to the visit of the Green Monster. No, I was not visited on this trip!
New legger Jo learning to deal with the Green Monster!
Even though down a few, we managed to change from kite 3 to 2 to Yankee and staysail and to bring the code 1 up on deck for readying it to go up. All of this in lightening and Big thunder and rain. What a great day!! I love what nature can hand out! Winds were 20 to 30 knots with poor visibility so great fun. We did see UNICEF with their kite up going the wrong way and then spotted GB.
June 22nd was the “Day of Waves”. Winds were 30 to 40+ all day again with the lightening, rain and thunder. Giant waves pounded us. The first big one hit while I was trimming the traveler and 4 of us had our life jackets go off the force was so great.
This is the result and look after wave hit. Can I move? No, I am trapped!
Later that night while unfastening my short tether to cross boat to get lines ready for kite to go up, I was hit by yet another wave and slammed into the pedestal grinder. This resulted in either a badly bruised rib or a cracked one. Not sure at the time other than big pain. I was just glad that my long tether was still attached or I might have gone swimming. But the night was still young and I got hit yet again and this time while trimming the kite, I fly into the next winch on deck. The good thing is that I had both tethers attached so did not go too far. All in all not my day. Dealt with the pain during the next watch, but every wave was a jolt to the system so I finally asked to stay down for a while.
This resulted in Mother duty substitute and Elaine and I managed to spill boiling water and noodles down the front of my clothes. Only foot was unprotected. hmmm…what have I done wrong??
June 24th went back up for duty and was jolted again by every wave and not very mobile or moving well. Was put in Time out for 3 days and not allowed up on deck. That helped but one can go stark raving mad having to stay down. I finally disobeyed and went up and started working again. Every pull or grind was a nightmare, but, we had several others that were dealing with some hurts so I had company and thus it was not so bad staying up.
Because we were near area of icebergs there was a box outlined that no boat could cross due to a penalty being placed on them. Good safety measure.
June 27th we were given a great dolphin show. All had white bellies and were bigger than others we had seen. Later saw a Portuguese Man of War (slimy light bluish squid looking) going by the boat. It was probably about 1/5th the size of the boat.
This race is interesting as LMax and Derry are basically match racing for 1st place and GB and Garmin are match racing for 3rd. Most boats are going easterly. Hmmm, will we cover?
This is Sean, incredible cook, fun crew and helps me with rigging issues.
This is John, one that always makes me laugh!
John and I! If you ever want to meet someone with amazing humor, meet John!
Westy is another part of our watch and the proud father of a 10 month old.
Justin our watch leader. Great guy and I love his green Seattle sunglasses.
Tom and John relaxing during one of the calmer moments
Jo doing a good job of trimming in some wavy seas.
The color and form of the wave spray sometimes reminds me of ice cubes.
You thought you might escape a sunset. I just love watching them. and like to share.
Matt trying to figure out his next move?
John helping me with milking the tack line to smooth it out and hopefully help it run through jammer easier.
Ryan, Elaine and Alex during watch changeover. Who will be ready first? The rest of the watch is on the other side of the galley struggling to get into their foulies.
Part of the other watch, Jill, Dan, Laura hanging out while Elaine is trimming the kite or sleeping? Then there is me showing how to sit properly to trim.
Thought I would end today with big picture of me!
Lunch is coming so off now and more later!
I know that you are wondering about the featured image. Well, that is me and you will find out all about it once the internet connection here allows me to get pictures downloaded and the story told. Let’s just call it “The Day of Waves”.
I was directed to a blog that I would like to share by one of the other crew members, Mike Adams on Garmin. It expresses many of the same thoughts that I am feeling currently and I don’t think I could write it any better.
“So this is it. The antepenultimate race of this amazing experience. Third time across the Atlantic, watching the longitude ticking down to Greenwich, and home.
There’s a definite sense, among the worlders at least, of winding down to the race finish. Not that this means we are less diligent or active in keeping ‘Gertie’ (I know…) moving: quite the reverse, in fact.
We’re keen to push hard and make our way past Sneaky Pete and the GREAT Britain crew to third place on the podium, and the crew are giving their all to make it happen, keeping the sails going up, down, in and out with a will.
But I think we’re all ready for this adventure to be finished – or rather, to be completed – and to continue with life outside the Clipper Race bubble.
Occasionally you’ll catch someone quietly gazing out to sea, leaning on a rail or a backstay, trying to imprint the image of the open ocean on their mind, to be able to recall it at an office desk in a year’s time.
The sight of the – currently calm – sea beneath a perfect hemisphere of sky, and the feeling of remoteness that accompanies it, is one of the memories I will treasure.
I can’t say I’ll miss the moments when that sky fills with rain, hail, and filthy black clouds, and the world turns into a giant washing machine; I won’t miss fighting sails on the foredeck or fighting to keep my balance on the helm, hands cramped with cold and eyes full of spray; I won’t miss staggering down the companionway at watch’s end, water streaming off my foulies, only to find that my bunk is wet and at an absurd angle.
But I will miss the elation of a tough job well done, when my whole watch has worked well together to achieve a tricky sail change or recover from a broken line; I’ll miss the purity of steering by a single star on a clear night; I will miss the rush of surfing a forty-tonne boat down five-metre waves; and I’ll miss the joy of making landfall after a long voyage, seeing a new country as it was first seen.
We’re reminded every day how harsh the marine environment is, wearing through ropes, sails and steel; but it also erodes the veneer and polish we each put on our own characters. Being cold and wet and tired rapidly strips you down to your true personality, which can of course result in conflict; but also allows friendships to be built on a far more solid foundation than is sometimes the case in the real world.
And so most of all I’ll miss those friendships, forged in trying conditions and cemented in the pub at the next stopover, and embodied in the image I imprinted on my mind as I helmed through sunset last night: both watches on deck, enjoying a sun-downer and quietly chatting in groups of twos, threes and fours – nurses, engineers, accountants, policemen, teachers; ages spread across four decades; but all one crew – as the sun dipped below the horizon, and we glimpsed the green flash of its light refracted through the surface of our last ocean.
Mike Adams
Garmin Crew for 2015-16 Clipper Round the World Race”
Some of his experiences I did not have such as “I won’t miss fighting sails on the foredeck or fighting to keep my balance on the helm, hands cramped with cold and eyes full of spray” as I am really not physically big or strong enough to perform those jobs safely for myself or the crew.
Garmin and GB are currently in a race for 3rd place overall as LMax and Derry are battling it out for 1st. Best wishes to all 4 teams in the next two races and may the best team prevail.
We are currently working hard to move up to 5th overall and if our crew work continues to jell it just might happen.
Questions for YOU to ponder!
1. For band directors, what part of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Sea Songs portrays a nice easy rolling wave the best?
2. For everyone, what two lines in the song “Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head” (yes, think Paul Newman riding the bicycle in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) best describe my feelings at this point? This race from NYC to Derry was very rainy and after singing it to myself for days, I found my lines that fit me perfectly!
There are several other questions for you, but need photos to help you out with them.
Hope to get the race from NYC done before we leave, but looks like I have to first find a good internet connection!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Our incredible and fun Leg 7 crew
Though we kept the boat in Jersey Shores at Liberty Landing Marina, I believe that everyone spent most of their time in NYC. I was very fortunate to have been met and adopted by former student Kevin Brubaker, MacArthur Band percussionist.
For those that do not know Kevin, here he is. The picture was taken in the new station by the World Trade Center Memorial. On our way to his place that had a real shower and a great blowup bed!
Craig and Daddy’s biggest helper working with Alex on the winches.
The first two days after we land, we spend cleaning and fixing different issues on the boat. My list is usually pretty long each time and I tend to spend a couple of extra days when the rest of the crew are off so I can actually get mine done.
Another ex- Mac band student , Jeff Hudgins, awesome sax and all around woodwind and jazz player gets involved with The Amazing 3rd Grade Students of PS 129 in Harlem and Opera on Tap to present La Cenerentola, Gioacchino Rossini’s Cinderella Opera Re-imagined in the Wild Wild West. Jeff did the arrangement for this production for Banjo/Mandolin, Violin, String Bass and Accordion. Very well done and once again I am proud of the accomplishments of my students.
The horses and the coach to go to the ball. Pretty cool horses!
Heather Aussiker, Kevin, Jeff and I checking out the local Mexican restaurant.
Kevin played in BLAST and now designs audio systems for big stores, etc. from his live aboard catamaran currently down in St. Pete. Heather is a writer and Jeff is a jack of all trades musician. I know there are more students in NYC but only found one other, Damien Norfleet who was rehearsing for a new show. Pretty incredible bunch. The cool thing is seeing what ex students have done with their lives. I feel like a proud parent.
This is the way to see the NYC area. Kevin gave me a great tour and very detailed.
And what better way to end a Sunday in Brooklyn than a picnic on the steps with the neighbors. Cheryl missed being in this picture as she was busy inside.
And of course all good drummers would like to eat at Krupa’s Grocery. The atmosphere included pictures, suspended cymbal lights and cowbell lights. What more could one want? Good food? Well, they had that too!
Not only did I get to eat there, I also got to experience Ethiopian food, Mediterranean food, bagels and locks with salmon, cream cheese and capers, pizza with anchovies and other delights!
My new great buddy Mr. Toast!
I wonder if Mr. Toast felt like I did after crew member Ryan shaved my head? Mr. Toast though still looks pretty good!
And of course when in New York one must partake of all the cultural opportunities they can. Elaine, Han, Alex, Jen and Darren and I all went to see Phantom of the Opera while there.
MCCallum Band allowed me to go see Swan Lake Ballet with them and I met up with Jen and Darren there. You have to know I was with a band as look, all the dancers are in lines! And yes, they can rotate them really well.
Had the opportunity to watch Ms. Nelson, Mr. Ehlers and Mr. Rudy rehearse the combined McCallum bands for their Carnegie Hall performance. It only took me 15 years to hear them play in Carnegie.
Was interviewed by Dylan Dreyer, Today Show meteorologist along with Dana Nichols and Anna from Visit Seattle. If you were lucky you caught Doug’s posting of it on this blog back in June.
Sometimes I have to be taking the pictures and just can’t be in them all.
And what would life be like without a concert in Prospect Park by the New York Philharmonic, a grand style picnic and fireworks afterwards. Is that not too much?
Beautiful skyline
911 Memorial and if you ask me I have a great story about how the names were done. Thank you Kevin!
Can you believe, green space for kids to play baseball in the middle of downtown! The yellow ferry we rode from Jersey Shores to Manhattan except when we couldn’t find the correct dock on the Manhattan side and when it didn’t run until 9:15am on the weekend. Both issues caused me to be late to boat work. YUK! But highly imaginative thinking helped me find a way.
To top it all off, an enjoyable concert by the McCallum Band at Carnegie Hall. Crewmates Jen and Elaine were truly impressed by their performance!
So it goes, an adventure of a lifetime in the Big Apple. Great fun, great friends. What more does one need?
Journey of a Lifetime 