Having been aboard the Kalmar Nyckel many times during her visits to Virginia, my bride and I decided to visit her home port in Wilmington, Delaware. The trip was planned for several reasons. One was to take some new pictures of my own of her and her crew to use in my upcoming art show May 31st. I have had many sent to me from friends, and they have been helpful, but I was looking for something I could only get by being there myself. I was also looking for a ‘feel’ for the boat & her crew and there is no better way to find that than to go to her home port. So, we headed up 13N for a scenic trip up the Eastern Shore. Having never been across the Chesapeake B3T2[1], I had in mind seeing new and interesting marinas along the way but instead saw many chicken houses, Perdue trucks, chicken houses, stop lights and chicken
houses, (did I mention chicken houses?),[2]we ended up in Wilmington, Delaware.
We checked in to the Courtyard at Marriott, which was a work-in-progress, and were greeted by the resident concierge, Josh[3]. I must give props to Josh for directions for eateries; et al.[4] The service at the hotel was excellent. After a complimentary continental breakfast consisting of black coffee, due to the fact that the restaurant was closed because of the construction, Josh directed us to the Shipyard where the Kalmar Nyckel was undergoing its annual maintenance in preparation for the upcoming sailing season.
Upon arrival we were met by one of the crew who gave us an impromptu tour of the workshop while training sessions were in progress all around us. Like most things we envision without seeing them, the boatyard was very different than what I had imagined. It was rather like a village of rustic workshops, blacksmith shop, and a nice gift shop. Our guide said that on an average workday, the activities in the Yard closely resembled Santa’s workshop with elves lined up along the workbench, all engaged in various projects. He described sail mending sessions where the great sails were laid out and worked on in the main hall. Wood carving went on in
the next room. Knots of all kinds were both on display for tours and seen as works in progress everywhere. Wooden pieces awaited the next stage of being sanded, oiled or varnished on their journey back aboard. Every part of the beautiful ship was getting attention in preparation for the upcoming sailing season. It is a monumental task that takes many, many volunteer hours to accomplish. I could imagine doing many projects of my own in such a shop. As we mingled with crew, we heard bits and pieces of instruction given on crew movement and dock handling as the Mexican-themed lunch preparation was underway. The yard was very busy with volunteer training activities all around us.
While waiting, we visited “The Toolbox”, which was Kalmar Nyckel’s gift shop. Inside we found reasonably priced memorabilia about the ship and the local area.[5]
Boson Sharon found time in-between her training duties to meet with us and to preview some of the pieces[6] that I had drawn commemorating my experiences with the late Captain Hiott. She graciously posed for pictures on the ship at my request, and bid us adieu as she returned to her training sessions. Glancing once more at the great ship as she was being prepared for her journeys, we knew that our visit with her today was just one of many to follow; and, we look forward to welcoming her, cannon shots and gunpowder, to the docks of Hampton.
[1] Bridge, Tunnel, Bridge, Tunnel, Bridge
[2] Air fresheners aid in adjusting to the smell of chicken houses (Pomegranate works especially well)
[3] Whose uniform amazingly matched the newly installed carpeting
[4] He provided directions to the parking garage, the restaurant on Orange Street (drove right by it – one way streets and fear for personal safety influenced our decision to bypass his suggestion), and a personally guided tour of the renovations in progress.
[5] The Toolbox shares the name with a gray haired cat that belonged to Captain Hiott. One of Toolbox’s probable offspring greets patrons as they entered the gift shop.
[6] My art will be on display at Phoebus Art and Glass [address] on May 31st, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
houses, (did I mention chicken houses?),[2]we ended up in Wilmington, Delaware.We checked in to the Courtyard at Marriott, which was a work-in-progress, and were greeted by the resident concierge, Josh[3]. I must give props to Josh for directions for eateries; et al.[4] The service at the hotel was excellent. After a complimentary continental breakfast consisting of black coffee, due to the fact that the restaurant was closed because of the construction, Josh directed us to the Shipyard where the Kalmar Nyckel was undergoing its annual maintenance in preparation for the upcoming sailing season.
Upon arrival we were met by one of the crew who gave us an impromptu tour of the workshop while training sessions were in progress all around us. Like most things we envision without seeing them, the boatyard was very different than what I had imagined. It was rather like a village of rustic workshops, blacksmith shop, and a nice gift shop. Our guide said that on an average workday, the activities in the Yard closely resembled Santa’s workshop with elves lined up along the workbench, all engaged in various projects. He described sail mending sessions where the great sails were laid out and worked on in the main hall. Wood carving went on in
the next room. Knots of all kinds were both on display for tours and seen as works in progress everywhere. Wooden pieces awaited the next stage of being sanded, oiled or varnished on their journey back aboard. Every part of the beautiful ship was getting attention in preparation for the upcoming sailing season. It is a monumental task that takes many, many volunteer hours to accomplish. I could imagine doing many projects of my own in such a shop. As we mingled with crew, we heard bits and pieces of instruction given on crew movement and dock handling as the Mexican-themed lunch preparation was underway. The yard was very busy with volunteer training activities all around us.While waiting, we visited “The Toolbox”, which was Kalmar Nyckel’s gift shop. Inside we found reasonably priced memorabilia about the ship and the local area.[5]
Boson Sharon found time in-between her training duties to meet with us and to preview some of the pieces[6] that I had drawn commemorating my experiences with the late Captain Hiott. She graciously posed for pictures on the ship at my request, and bid us adieu as she returned to her training sessions. Glancing once more at the great ship as she was being prepared for her journeys, we knew that our visit with her today was just one of many to follow; and, we look forward to welcoming her, cannon shots and gunpowder, to the docks of Hampton.
[1] Bridge, Tunnel, Bridge, Tunnel, Bridge
[2] Air fresheners aid in adjusting to the smell of chicken houses (Pomegranate works especially well)
[3] Whose uniform amazingly matched the newly installed carpeting
[4] He provided directions to the parking garage, the restaurant on Orange Street (drove right by it – one way streets and fear for personal safety influenced our decision to bypass his suggestion), and a personally guided tour of the renovations in progress.
[5] The Toolbox shares the name with a gray haired cat that belonged to Captain Hiott. One of Toolbox’s probable offspring greets patrons as they entered the gift shop.
[6] My art will be on display at Phoebus Art and Glass [address] on May 31st, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
