What Your Daughter Learns When She Learns to Sail
By Lea Maxwell, Sailor and Scribe When I signed up for sailing school at the age of 43, I had never been on a sailboat. I agreed to do it because the boy I was dating wanted me to. Typical. But I secretly dreaded it. It isn’t that I don’t have talents, but in my estimation none […]
From Slaves to Soldiers
People ask, “What was slavery like?” During the winter at Valley Forge, General Washington faced chronic shortages of manpower. Rhode Island General James Varnum proposed that Rhode Island recruit an all-African American regiment to serve in the Continental Army. Years later the first award for injuries in battle was won by a black soldier at […]
Last Sail
People ask, “How deep into Fall do you still sail?” Deep into November, I took veteran sailors Jeanne Kushabar and Ugo Boggio out on the York in a light breeze from the east. I hadn’t see Ugo in a year, during which time he bought a 24-foot sailboat for his house on Boothbay Harbor, Maine. […]
Big Winds Return
On a whim, Daniel Katekovich took his bride Connie sailing along the York River on their 30th anniversary. She had never been on a sailboat before, “if you don’t count a small catamaran.” She did great as we zoomed across the river in 10 mph winds and building seas. Then we tacked to go under […]
Sailing Toward Fall
On a serene York River that slowly came to life as the wind built, we sailed past the lower range light at Yorktown to show how it has become obliterated. A vacant osprey nest has collapsed over the lens, leaving it nearly obscured to ship traffic. I notified the Coast Guard and sent them a […]
Celebrating Summer by Sailing
Light winds on the York were enhanced by lively conversation among two groups one bright summer day. A New York City family joined a Richmond couple on a beautiful afternoon that left us celebrating summer by sailing. Daniel Rodriquez brought his family on their first trip to Williamsburg. His daughter Jessica told me in good […]
Skimming Along Lake Toho
Of all the boating our family has enjoyed over the years, we have never gone on an airboat. While on vacation in Florida, our son-in-law Trevor Phillips booked us for a unique and private two-hour adventure tour of the marshy shores around Lake Tohoperaliga near Orlando. Trevor knows how much we enjoy boating. “We call […]
30-Year-Old Sailor
Two couples and two toddlers got to see a 30-year-old sailor transit the Coleman Bridge when the USS Monterey came steaming up the York River on the way to the Yorktown Naval Weapons Station. It was quite an adventure. Host Christine Wells had her hands full with the kids, so her husband Frank and pal […]
If By Sea
Before the American victory at Yorktown came resounding defeat at Charleston. George Daughan’s If By Sea: The Forging of the American Navy—From the Revolution to the War of 1812 tells the story of the early years of the American navy. The following excerpt examines Abraham Whipple’s command of the Continental Navy at Charleston in 1780. Daughan attributes […]
Improve Your Life with Sailing Metaphors
One of the amazing things about sailing with guests on the York River is how they rise to the occasion by using appropriate metaphors. They enjoy learning about the derivations. To sail professionally is to be above board, even if one is adrift, against the tide, or at loggerheads with the crew. They recognize that […]
