Naming day!
Date: June 6, 2015
Time Start: 12:25 p.m.
Time Finish: 6:20 p.m.
Cruise from: Swantown Marina
Cruise to: Hope Island and return to Swantown
Engine hours start: 143
Engine hours finish: 145
Weather/sea conditions: Summer! 80+ degrees today, blue skies, light breeze, perfect day!
Today is the official naming day for NORTH STAR. We have several family members here to join us in making sure our boat is properly toasted and that all of the gods of the seas and skies are appeased and accepting of our renaming of this vessel. Daughter Kelda and grandkids Connor, Andrew, and Annike arrive on the docks of Swantown, along with their new labradoodle puppy Kermit. Just a baby, Kermit will spend the day aboard NORTH STAR sleeping in his crate.
Time Start: 12:25 p.m.
Time Finish: 6:20 p.m.
Cruise from: Swantown Marina
Cruise to: Hope Island and return to Swantown
Engine hours start: 143
Engine hours finish: 145
Weather/sea conditions: Summer! 80+ degrees today, blue skies, light breeze, perfect day!
Today is the official naming day for NORTH STAR. We have several family members here to join us in making sure our boat is properly toasted and that all of the gods of the seas and skies are appeased and accepting of our renaming of this vessel. Daughter Kelda and grandkids Connor, Andrew, and Annike arrive on the docks of Swantown, along with their new labradoodle puppy Kermit. Just a baby, Kermit will spend the day aboard NORTH STAR sleeping in his crate.
We start right off with the naming ritual. Annike has a poem to read to us, and then she places greens on the bow of NORTH STAR to ensure that we always return to land.
Annike's poem, found on the internet and written by a young boy named Alex:
That star is really bright
High above the clouds
Each and every night.
Now the star shines . . .
Over everything.
Rising every night
Through the clouds,
Through the night.
High up in the sky.
Start your journey with
The North Star
Always shining
Really bright.
Annike's poem, found on the internet and written by a young boy named Alex:
That star is really bright
High above the clouds
Each and every night.
Now the star shines . . .
Over everything.
Rising every night
Through the clouds,
Through the night.
High up in the sky.
Start your journey with
The North Star
Always shining
Really bright.
Next up is Andrew. He gives us a few facts about the North Star and then reads us a poem:
"North Star" by Elyssa Mathy:
The dipping Sun and its everlasting light,
The glowing, bright and simmering Moon and
His fellow stars,
No one up there is true to its spot but
The North Star.
The North Star leads you on your way.
When the everlasting light fades
And the twinkling moon hides under dark ominous clouds,
The North Star shall never fail
As you tumble
Through life and its paths.
The brightest star in the sky,
We look up to our North Star.
It knows no faults.
Our Sun and Moon all disappear
One at a time,
But eventually they come back.
The little stars side by side,
All are there to light our path,
But when they burst and their
Flames die,
We look up to our North Star.
We all have a North Star
In many shapes or forms.
You can always count on your North Star.
Who leads you on your way.
Who to you is your North Star.
"North Star" by Elyssa Mathy:
The dipping Sun and its everlasting light,
The glowing, bright and simmering Moon and
His fellow stars,
No one up there is true to its spot but
The North Star.
The North Star leads you on your way.
When the everlasting light fades
And the twinkling moon hides under dark ominous clouds,
The North Star shall never fail
As you tumble
Through life and its paths.
The brightest star in the sky,
We look up to our North Star.
It knows no faults.
Our Sun and Moon all disappear
One at a time,
But eventually they come back.
The little stars side by side,
All are there to light our path,
But when they burst and their
Flames die,
We look up to our North Star.
We all have a North Star
In many shapes or forms.
You can always count on your North Star.
Who leads you on your way.
Who to you is your North Star.
And now it is time for appeasing the gods and toasting NORTH STAR, with Connor doing the honors. His great words for this important rite, with all of us raising glasses of champagne or sparkling cider in toasts on the proper cues:
For thousands of years, we have gone to sea. We have crafted vessels to carry us and we have called them by name. These ships will nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and so we affectionately call them "she." To them we toast, and ask to celebrate the NORTH STAR.
ALL: TO THE SAILORS OF OLD. . . TO THE NORTH STAR!
The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent. We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on. The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea.
ALL: TO THE SEA . . . TO THE SAILORS OF OLD . . . TO THE SEA!
Today, we come to name this lady "NORTH STAR", and send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for the Cheney family. We ask the sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea to accept NORTH STAR as her name, to help her through her passages, and to allow her to return with her crew safely.
ALL: TO THE SEA . . . TO THE SAILORS OF OLD . . . TO NORTH STAR!
For thousands of years, we have gone to sea. We have crafted vessels to carry us and we have called them by name. These ships will nurture and care for us through perilous seas, and so we affectionately call them "she." To them we toast, and ask to celebrate the NORTH STAR.
ALL: TO THE SAILORS OF OLD. . . TO THE NORTH STAR!
The moods of the sea are many, from tranquil to violent. We ask that this ship be given the strength to carry on. The keel is strong and she keeps out the pressures of the sea.
ALL: TO THE SEA . . . TO THE SAILORS OF OLD . . . TO THE SEA!
Today, we come to name this lady "NORTH STAR", and send her to sea to be cared for, and to care for the Cheney family. We ask the sailors of old and the mood of God that is the sea to accept NORTH STAR as her name, to help her through her passages, and to allow her to return with her crew safely.
ALL: TO THE SEA . . . TO THE SAILORS OF OLD . . . TO NORTH STAR!
The grand finale is the pouring of champagne over the bow of NORTH STAR. This time it is the Captain's turn!
Let the cruising begin! All are aboard for the short cruise to Hope Island Marine Park. Kermit is in his kennel, Kelda and Connor enjoy the cockpit ride with views of passing boats, especially sailboats. Andrew and Annike assist Grandpa at the helm.
We drop anchor just off the shore of Hope Island. Everyone is entertained by several raccoons romping on the beach while we have our lunch in the cockpit.
The restless kids are anxious to get to shore! We need a designated rower to ferry all of us, Connor is our man.
Rocks get turned over to expose lots and lots of little crabs and other marine life. We are surprised to see several juvenile starfish, too! The rocks get carefully replaced to protect these animals of the shore.
Kermit is ashore with us when we learn that dogs are not allowed on Hope Island, something for us to remember in the future as we don't have any pets of our own. We are a little surprised as they are welcome at nearby McMicken, Jarrell Cove, and other marine parks. Luckily Kermit is on leash and mostly carried and spends very little time on the island. He is all of thirteen weeks old and so fluffy and cute! A babe in arms.
The tired crew returns to NORTH STAR for the cruise back to Swantown. Currents are carrying jellyfish by us, making them easy to scoop up, and the kids have a great time playing in the water from the swim step.
We wore these kids out! One, two, three, all fall asleep piled on top of each other, legs dangling out the opening of the V berth. What will they be when we get home? You guessed it - famished! Dinner will be waiting!
Its been a stellar Naming Day for NORTH STAR - and for all of us!
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