And... We're Back! and picking up a little speed.

 Nobody likes Dead-Air,, Radio stations hate it because it influences listeners to switch channels. Dead air in electronic communication on a network is at least, annoying, and at worst, a bit frightening, because listeners suddenly get silence where before there was information, direction, knowledge, or just plain chatter,, all a sudden,, quiet.. "something must be wrong, or we would've been warned."  

So, yeah,, after 24 August,, the Volunteer kind-a sorta went dark,, for 3 weeks.  My bad.  I doubt I warned anyone sufficiently, that I would be heading out on a two-week trip up to New York for my classmates' 50th year reunion, after-which, Jane and I would continue north up the Hudson River into the Adirondacks for some sightseeing.  

That did not mean there was nothing to write about.   Volunteer Saturdays continued, Special projects were taken on and advanced. Volunteers surpassed their 100 service hours (Dallas Spencer,(actually back in July,) and Ryan Smith-50 service hours.   New Volunteers tested the water.  and something else, notable..  Captain Bobby returned to take command; with that, a sharpened focus on priorities, like fixing once and for all those yokohama fenders.. getting more volunteers sharpened up to sail the schooner off shore. and building up revenue-generating charter sails.

Being incommunicado most of my vacation, on purpose, I had much catching up to do, starting with the two-day drive back home.  

The September 21st  Training Sail to the Sea Buoy is very much on, and signups are still open.  We'll take up to 30. There will be a waitlist. Priority aboard will go to the most competent volunteers, to build initial 1st string of Volunteer crew, capable of training other volunteers, Volunteers who will be able to return, not on their way out.  

Between now and then, there are needs for volunteers in small numbers to support the next five business day afternoons on board, with a Baker Motor Company's Teambuilding   Facilitator.  Details are sketchy, but I'll find out soon enough when I show up, how 'we'll support. 

We will cast off for a short period of time only to clear the dock space to make a final repair solution on those Yokohama's. That will require volunteer crew aboard ship, at least 9, and a separate crew of volunteers dockside and in the small boat, with tools to affect the final fastenings.

I'm supporting Capt Hobby's intent for a second. day-long Training Sail to the Sea Buoy. Hopefully a week or two before October 18. when our first really big show will occur.

Spirit of South Carolina is coordinating with the Festival committee of the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, for us to make an official appearance. We will anchor outside the harbor (too shallow at their dock). We are marketing to fill up 10-15 berths with guest crew,  to complement our own, and pay for the privilege.     Volunteer crew will man every aspect of that four day cruise,, the passage to Georgetown, the anchorage and ferrying of guest crew ashore,  training of guest crew to perform crew duties, and the passage home.  Volunteers will signup  for that long weekend, in segments, depending on how much they can commit.   This will be our largest  and most public show to date; an off-shore passage, with passengers,, guest crew, learning from us, and receiving an unforgettable experience. 

  The ship isn't just wasting away; on the contrary.  our optempo is accelerating.     -