I took all the “right” classes in high school. If it wasn’t honors or didn’t offer advanced placement or weighted credit, then it wasn’t considered an option for me. I was lucky to take a digital photography class my junior year, but it didn’t count for anything – it was an elective. If I recall correctly, home ec (onomics) and shop class were part of a six week elective rotation in middle school, which meant that we had to take 2 weeks of three different courses of our choosing. At the time, home ec wasn’t high on my list, and I think I opted out so that I could take art, typing, and some other class I don’t remember. Looking back on this, there are two things that really upset me about this. First off, shop class was promoted to the boys and home ec to the girls. And secondly two weeks? What can one really learn about operating tools in two weeks. I suppose that these days, shop class could be considered too dangerous for middle schoolers, but that is another subject altogether.
Motor skills – that’s what I’m about these days. Last week I spent six hours exercising these skills and screwing down bolts for the lifelines, which requires much twisting of the wrist and pulling of triggers (drill and caulk gun). I spent some time in the garage with my Dad as a child; I knew the difference between a philip’s head screwdriver and a flat head, but it wasn’t until my year in AmeriCorps*NCCC that I really started to learn about the uses of power tools.
So my question is this: what ever happened to shop class and home ec? Sports are an excellent way of acquiring physical motors skills, plus they teach teamwork, but they don’t teach you about the practical applications of tools. And let’s consider the arts here. These skills are also important in crafting and art, which also require hand-eye coordination and a knowledge of tools. Knowing how to construct objects with the use of tools, and knowing which tool or method to use to get a certain result, is part of our species’ advantage over the animal kingdom; it’s one of the characteristics that makes us human. So why is the computer the only tool promoted in our schools?
I have been pondering this for a year now as art has quickly become my favorite pastime and my driving force. It is both challenging and relaxing, meditative, not to mention creativity is such an important asset in our society. So why wasn’t it considered “challenging” enough for me in high school? Maybe I was an arrogant youngster, but I took it to mean that it wasn’t a worthwhile application of my time. In other words, it wouldn’t get me anywhere, like for instance, into college.
I think the most ironic part of high school for me, was that I did attend a school of the arts. Everyday for four years, I took a school bus to another school in our district 30 minutes away to take two classes. But the school didn’t offer fine arts! Instead I faithfully stuck to literary arts (I hate being the center of attention, so theatre was out), where we studied creative writing, literature, and art history and were occasionally allowed to create our own works of art in the style of whatever artist we happened to be studying at the time. Still there was no formal art training involved so I never thought I was any good. How could I when I was comparing myself to the masters??
To bring this conversation back to the boat and the oh-so-important motor skills, it would have been extremely beneficial to have learned at least the basics of drawing at a young age, to have learned how to use a sewing machine, an electric saw, or how to construct useful objects, and to have realized how much I love working with my hands! Plus how much time have I wasted trying to pursue a career in a field that led me to a office job, where I sat in a cubicle staring out the window, wishing I were able create something tangible instead of staring at a computer screen for eight hours a day. I know many people who enjoy and thrive in the corporate environment, but I am NOT one of them.
Although this may sound like a rant, these are just several observations I have made in recent years, looking back on my high school years. I was in no way an underprivileged child. I had many opportunities that other kids didn’t have, made great friends, and learned a great deal at my public high school, which is saying a whole lot. When I came to South Carolina for college, I realized that most of the people with similar educational backgrounds had attended private schools to receive the same type of teaching. However working on the boat has taught me so many useful skills, that I am embarrassed by my former inabilities. Don’t even get me started on survival skills and sustainability!
Boat update:
We have declared Saturday as our tennative departure date from Rockville. Our to-do list has been whittled down to a handful of essential tasks and preparations. Unfortunately I am feeling under-the-weather today (and have been for several days), so I am hoping it will clear itself up and I will be able to enjoy this hard-earned first leg. Check out these beautiful people exercising their motor skills and helping us get ready for the departure.
When Brian and I drove through the boatyard gates on Friday morning, I had no expectations. We had plans of putting Illusion back in the water, but six weeks of labor on an old boat had taught me that nothing goes as planned; the hard projects took the allotted time, but projects that seemed easy stretched on for days (or weeks) and multiplied. Our pre-launching to-do list included seven projects, so I assumed that at least one of them would go awry. If that occurred, it was possible that we wouldn’t have enough time to get Illusion back in the water before the end of the day, and it was Friday, meaning it would have to wait until Monday.
We put on the last two sea cocks – ones that had frozen on us earlier in the week and prevented an earlier launching, made sure the others were closed, hooked up the second bilge pump, vacuumed out the bilge, checked all the hose clamps, organized the mess, and painted the last few areas on the bottom that needed a second coat without so much as a hitch. The traveling lift scooped Illusion off her stilts, carried her to the ramp, and lowered her back into a cradle of saltwater at 2:30 pm.
Brian jumped aboard to check for leaks, then the Rockville crew grabbed the lines, and pulled Illusion towards a nearby slip (we still haven’t hooked up the engine). As she pivoted around the boat at the end of the dock, one of the men lost his hold on a line. I looked over my shoulder to see her stern swinging wide and the entire vessel moving towards shore. The narrow waterway didn’t leave much leeway, but they managed to tow her back into position and safely into the slip. When things finally settled down, Illusion took her place amongst the other boats, and we cheered. Cold beers were cracked; high fives were exchanged, and we sat for a while and admired the view – from the water.
I am exhausted, relieved, and filled with an expanding sense of gratitude and excitement. I can’t wait to be on our way!
With the departure date lurking somewhere in the near future, it’s hard not to feel nostalgic about the beautiful place that I’ve called home off and on for the past seven years. Charleston is both unique and picturesque, with cobblestone streets winding between colonial mansions, Charleston singles, church towers, cemeteries, waterfront parks, and oak trees draped in Spanish moss. My close friend, Mary, came to Charleston last week on a business trip and was forced to stay through the weekend because of a snowstorm up north. This unfortunate (fortunate!) event provided me with the perfect excuse to engage in the best of what the city has to offer one last time before I depart.
Charleston, you will be missed!
I thought this information might useful to anyone planning a weekend visit to Charleston, so I’ve included our itineraries in the hopes that you will use it to build-your-own weekend adventure. Because Mary only had two full days to take advantage of, we planned our touring around efficiency, eating (of course), and capturing the essence of the place. This is a rundown of our two-day tour of Charleston plus a few travel tips for first-time visitors.
Map
Day One: Itinerary
- Breakfast at Hominy Grill – 1 hour
- Browse antique shops along King Street – 30 min
- Drive to the Battery and walk around – 20 min
- Wander, explore streets and architecture south of Broad Street – 30 min
- Drive to Rainbow Row/East Bay Street – 5 min
- Walk to Waterfront Park – 20 min
- Explore art galleries on Queen and Broad Streets – 45 min
- Check out churches and cemeteries on Church and Meeting Streets – 20 min
- Drive to Folly beach – 25 min
- Lunch at the Lost Dog Cafe – 1 hour
- Walk on the pier – 45 min
- Stop for a Tokyo Crepe – 15 min
- Drive back downtown – 25 min
- Dinner at a downtown restaurant – 1 hour
Day Two: Itinerary
- Drive to Isle of Palms – 20 min
- Brunch at the Boathouse – 1 hour
- Drive to Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island – 10 min
- Walk around the fort – 45 min
- Walk along the beach – 45 min
- Drive back downtown – 20 min
- Drive by Citadel – 10 min
- Break – 2 hours
- Dinner at Monza on King Street – 1 hour
- Walk to Paolo’s Gelateria for Dessert – 20 min
*times are estimated
Places to stay: During my last year of college, I worked at a bed and breakfast downtown (the 1837 Bed and Breakfast to be precise). There are a large number of unique B&B’s conveniently located throughout the historic district. Each one is distinct, some located in historic mansions, renovated Charleston singles, or carriage houses, so the price ranges vary drastically between the different accommodations. You can easily walk or bike the city, usually a full breakfast and parking is provided, and in most cases, they are family owned or run, so you will get a personalized experience. If you are on a tight budget, check out the NotSo Hostel, Charleston’s only backpackers’ hostel located in a historic house on Spring Street. Call the Charleston Visitors’ Center for more information on accommodations and booking.
Things to See: As with any city, you could easily fill an entire week with sightseeing, but if you only have a few days, then you can choose your highlights based on your interests (i.e. history, architecture, art, etc.). I recommend walking or renting a bicycle (available by the day here) for traveling downtown because parking and driving in Charleston can be quite tricky. The streets were built for horse and carriage; they may be beautiful, but they are disorganized, narrow, and flood-prone, so bring a map. Definitely wander down to see the iconic Battery, Rainbow Row, Waterfront Park, the Market, the College of Charleston, and any of the residential streets south of Broad Street. There are also numerous art galleries, antique shops, and boutiques located south of Market Street and along Broad Street. For specific tour information visit this site. If you are willing to drive outside of the downtown area, be sure to check out Folly Beach, Sullivan’s Island, either Fort Moultrie or Fort Sumter (Fort Sumter requires a boat tour), and one or more of the plantations surrounding the peninsula. By the way, check out this great NY Times slideshow of the plantations.
Good Eats: These are simply my favorites. For breakfast or brunch head to Hominy Grill on the corner of Rutledge and Cannon Streets. Located in a pink Charleston-style house with a large mural on the side of a woman with a steaming bowl of grits, it offers typical Lowcountry cuisine, such as fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, etc. For a quick, inexpensive, light bite to eat for breakfast or lunch, visit my favorite cafe in Charleston, Fast and French on Broad Street (croissants, french press coffee, sandwiches, and soups). Check out the lunch or dinner menu for Cru Cafe near the market, a cozy Charleston-style restaurant with a cute little porch available for dining. The Lost Dog Cafe is my favorite Folly Beach choice; casual with indoor and outdoor dining, the food is always great, but remember it is closed for dinner. As for dinner downtown, I will simply recommend FIG ($$$$) and Monza ($$), and send you to browse the dining guide here or here. Be sure to investigate menu prices (especially if you are thinking about dining on Market or East Bay Streets).
FYI the Charleston City Paper is a great place to learn what is going on the weekend of your visit or to read about restaurants and local events, and if you come in the spring, fall, or summer, don’t forget to check out the Saturday morning Farmers Market in Marion Square!
It’s strange to live in a place you plan to leave, when you’ve got one foot in the door and one foot out. I am sitting in a friend’s apartment, in front of my travel easel and make-shift supply stand (several plastic bins stacked atop one another) wondering where I will be finishing up this new painting I’ve started? And what will I do with it when I am done? Every week for the past two months I’ve asked myself this same question. Where will I be this time next week?
The whole experience seems to be unfolding in the only way that it could: we will leave when the boat is ready. And when the boat is ready, we will be ready. We should be truly prepared to tackle most of the potential problems that we could face during the trip. Sometimes you don’t need to travel in order to find yourself in a different place.
It’s certainly made for an interesting year of transitions: from living in a house, to living on the boat, then living on a project boat that was more like a work shed, and finally staying in a friend’s apartment and making the 45 minute drive to work on it at the boatyard everyday. If you’ve let Brian or I relax on your couch, watch TV at your house, do laundry in your washer/dryer, cook dinner in your kitchen, craft in your living room, sleep in your guest room, sleep on your couch, store things in your garage, store things in your back yard, or listened while Brian and I poured out our woes and frustrations over the past year, then please accept this virtual thank-you for helping us retain our sanity throughout the process.
If there is one thing I have learned from this experience, past travels, and living abroad, it’s that happiness relies on sharing experiences with other people; it doesn’t matter where you are. I haven’t been able to participate in many of the movie-going, music concerts, and going-out activities over the past year because of my tight budget, but our living situation has given me the opportunity to spend some quality time with friends while doing the most mundane of tasks. Believe me, no matter the location, there is nothing like sharing a good meal and conversation with others (and it fits into my budget nicely).
I just found out that my sea turtle design got accepted into the voting round on Infectious.com. My design has 13 days to collect votes, and if I get enough positive feedback, they will turn it into a laptop skin. Please check it out here, and if you like what you see, vote for me!
Also, I think I failed to mention that I updated my art website a few weeks ago. If you haven’t already checked it out, then please take a peak (Lara Neece Art). I haven’t added any new artwork, but the layout is quite different.
The armored cars of dreams, contrived to let us do so many a dangerous thing.
~Elizabeth Bishop
Achieving a dream isn’t always easy. Just because you are doing something you love doesn’t mean that everything will fall into place. Sometimes it takes more than just hard work and elbow grease. In the past, whenever I have hit a bump in the road, I always try to find a positive outcome. If what I’m doing isn’t working, isn’t going to work, then it’s important to come up with a new solution that will.
Lately I’ve been using the saying, “Hindsight is 20/20.” It seems to sum up my feelings on the past few weeks pretty accurately. If we had only known this or spent more time on that, or worked a bit longer to save more, things might have been different, but it’s important to remember that, from the beginning, this sailing trip was a huge undertaking.
First of all, Brian bought an old boat, which needed more fixing up than anticipated. He’s poured so much money into fixing it up (albeit on a shoestring) that there is little left for the travel adventure we hoped for. Had we just waited a year, saved money first, and bought a slightly nicer boat for a little higher price, we might have been able to leave on time and with way less work. Of course might is the keyword in that sentence. Or we could have just bought a plane ticket and gone backpacking.
But the important thing to remember at this point is that the original goal was not just to go cruising or even just to travel to Central America, but it started with fixing up an old boat. Brian’s dream has been to own his own cruising-capable sailboat and travel with it to places off the beaten track. In addition, he has also contemplated attending boat building school in the past, learning how to build and design them. In this sense, our experience over the past few years has been a crash course for him in boat maintenance. He has been forced to review each system and learn all of the ins and outs of his boat. This is a good thing. He’s learned and is learning so much.
This past week has been difficult and tiring for both of us. I feel that the boat is so close to being in great shape and ready to take off, but there are still projects to be done. We’ve poured about 250 hours of labor into the boat over the past three weeks at the boat yard and countless hours over the past two years. I’ve put up with living on a project boat for almost a year now and recently put my art practice on hold to put in my share of the labor.
Boats are expensive to maintain and upkeep, but we planned for that. Still we’ve underestimated a few things, which has left us in a predicament. Our epic adventure seems to be shrinking into a smaller endeavor. At this point, I think we will both be happy if we can just make it down to the Bahamas, but we are researching more creative solutions to make this trip happen with all its intended glory. We’re both stubborn and determined to make it work, so it’s time to get creative.  Any interesting work/travel opportunity suggestions are welcome at this point!
Still at it, but Illusion is just about ready to go back into the water, which means my work “duties” are almost done. Woo hoo! Well sort of. I can’t say I’ll miss the projects, but it’s been a mostly enjoyable experience. I’ve met some really nice people, learned about all sorts of tools and methods of boat repair, and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and daily exercise (and all of the cute doggies). The final project (the rebuilding of the engine) will be up to Brian, and I have to say I am kind of eager to get back to some art-making! I pulled out my sketchbook last week to sketch the boatyard, and it only managed to increase my art cravings.
Here are some pictures of the projects from last week and today. We finished painting the bilge white, installed the new mast step, put in the rest of the sea cocks, sanded the bottom of the boat, popped and filled the blisters on the bottom, and primed all of the hatches.
What’s left, you say?
We’ve still got to paint the bottom of the boat and all of the hatches, put the mast back in, and clean – we’ve got lots of cleaning to do. That’s all for now. It’s 1 am and we’ve got more work to do tomorrow.
Sunday was gorgeous, sunny, warm, and breezy. Brian and I decided to drive out to Folly Beach for brunch and a photo shoot. I wanted to fully test out my new camera, so that I’ll know how to access and manipulate all the options and settings when we finally set sail. The lighting was fantastic, and I managed to capture some nice pictures just before a little rain storm blew in from sea.
Another week closer to departure. That is what I keep telling myself even as the projects seem to increase on a weekly basis. This week we discovered that, although the keel bolts are in passable shape, the mast step is not. The mast step is a giant piece of steel that the mast stands on. It takes the brunt of the pressure that the wind exerts on the mainsail, so it’s kind of important. Certainly not something we want to worry about on the trip. In order to remove it for replication, we had to pull the mast. It’s not exactly what we wanted to hear a week into it, especially since each day is costing a whole lot of money. But at least the task itself wasn’t quite so difficult. It actually took less time than it took us to clean the bilge (7 days!).
Aside from that, the days of hard labor are actually quite rewarding. It’s certainly taking the place of a gym membership. New Year’s resolution #1 (get in shape): check! It’s painful, but the climbing into and hoisting out of the boat is really kicking me into shape, not to mention balancing on one hand and three toes while squatting/leaning down into the bilge to sand, scrub, and chisel for 7 hours a day (Brian calls it boat yoga). And our days have fallen into a pleasant routine ending with the cooking of delicious home-cooked meals with lots of leftovers for the next day’s lunch. It’s reminding me a great deal of my time in AmeriCorps*NCCC. It’s funny how a day of hard work makes everything so much more enjoyable. Food tastes so much better, beer tastes so much better, massages feel like heaven, and sleep is that much more replinishing. No one can say we didn’t work for it!
It’s been a long week full of scrubbing, chiseling, grinding, cleaning, and cold weather. Sea Tow towed the engine-less Illusion to Rockville, SC, on Tuesday, and by Wednesday she was out of the water and up on stilts. Rockville Marine is a boatyard in Rockville, a small community at the end of Wadmalaw Island, about 45 minutes south of Charleston. It is a beautiful place, which would be all the more enjoyable if it weren’t quite so cold, but the sunsets are awesome nonetheless.
Brian decided to haul out the boat while we wait for engine parts so the he could replace the sea cocks and through-holes and inspect the keel bolts, two big safety precautions to give us a little more peace of mind before we set sail. The keel bolts and sea cocks are located down in the bottom of the boat, in the bilge to be exact, which is where any excess water on the boat drains into. I don’t think the bilge had been cleaned out in decades, as we found about 30 years worth of sludge and rust down there. You can see the before and after pictures below. Talk about a mess.
First we ran a bunch of water and a green cleaning solution through it, followed by scrubbing, more water, vacuuming, and more scrubbing, and more water, more scrubbing, and more water. Once the bilge was relatively clean (as clean as one could expect), we got a good look at the keel bolts and metal backing plates. Let’s just say they were not as reassuring as we hoped, in fact they kind of resembled relics from the Hunley, or earlier still, maybe even the Revolutionary War. So. . . . task number two, we set to work scraping chunks of rust off the backing plates and bolts.
Once we finish scraping them, we will coat them with a rust-preventing solution and paint the entire bilge, in the hopes of stopping further deterioration and keeping things a bit cleaner. Hopefully there is still enough metal to keep things secure. Brian managed to get three sea cocks removed (the ones behind where the engine goes), so we should be able to get those replaced this week as well. In addition, engine parts should be ready this week, so things are moving along, albeit slowly. And in the meantime, we get to admire this lovely location. If only I had an art studio out here, I’d be in heaven.
Also, I got a new (used) camera and am super excited to be putting it to good use.
|
Welcome Welcome to Forest and Fin, the documentation of an artist's adventures living and traveling on a '37 sailboat. Beginning in early 2009, when I moved onto an old Chris Craft sailboat with my boyfriend and I decided to become an artist, this blog chronicles the pursuit of my dreams, exploration, travel, and art.
Thanks for stopping by!
|
