The Chieftain comes into our port in Garibaldi every year. She is a fun vessel with a great purpose. You can read more about her here. She is involved in "educational cruises and ambassadorial visits along the west coast." I haven't been aboard her yet, but every time I see her I want to join the crew and live the life of a pirate for a while. I want to climb the rigging and sit in the crow's nest keeping a lookout for other ships and hopefully whales and dolphins. I would gladly swab the deck in trade for a bunk, and even more gladly cook in the galley. Of course, I also think I'm 18 when I have my little fantasies. Nevertheless, she does set me dreaming. Perhaps I've seen Peter Pan or Pirates of the Caribbean too many times. Or maybe I need to watch them again tonight.
Ropin' and Ridin'
I grew up on a farm in the dry arid desert of west central Utah. Ropin' and ridin' is what we did every spring when we moved the cattle from the winter feed lots to the summer grazing range. I never tired of being in the saddle with all the ups and downs and swaying to and fro. It occurred to me the other day that sailors are ocean cowboys. The have to know how to tie a good not, throw it clean, and catch it solid. The swaying to and fro may be from a boat instead of the back of a horse, but keeping one's footing is still the key. One rides a range of endless grass while the other rides the watery range. But grit, courage, hard work and strong ethics still make the man.