So Exciting!

The last couple hours were spent clicking through all the links to ship’s pages on the tall ships Facebook page. Why?

Because I’ve determined my goal: sail as part of OpSail 2012 aboard Pride of Baltimore as paid crew! (In the slim chance that Pride does not participate in OpSail, by the year 2012.)

Pride does not take volunteer crew, so I will have to build my experience to that of a “professional” level tall ship sailor before I can sign on. So far I’ve discovered the American privateer schooner Lynx and U.S. brig Niagara take on volunteer crew, and Niagara even has a program that lasts up to 4 weeks.

I know I’m just beginning, but at the moment I can’t decide. I love both the ships; Lynx is so sleek and streamlined, Niagara has that 19th-century Navy look I find so majestic. One is just a few states north, but tuition prices are over $1,000. The other is in California, but doesn’t mention a cost of more than $85.

Maybe I’ll ask around about some crewing experiences others have had aboard tall ships….