Easy Sailing on J. & E. Riggin
The motley crew of the Sweet Chariot Cruise on the J & E Riggin.
Water has this magic that you simply can’t put into words. When you’re in it, on it, or near it, your entire demeanor changes.
Elevated. Optimistic. Renewed. Serendipitous. Adventurous. Solitary. Invigorating.
Len and I boarded the J. & E. Riggin Schooner in July 2023 for the Sweet Chariot excursion. A music-inspired sailing, the schooner left from Rockland, ME, and sailed Penobscot Bay from morning to night. Where were we going? We had no clue, neither did the captain until he hoisted the sails and found himself in the bay. Where will the wind take us today?
With every sailing, a new theme. From knitting to music to beer to lobster to lighthouses, choose the one that will make you happy. Sailings begin in May and continue through October. Find the schedule here.
Locally sourced food makes the cuisine from Captain Jocelyn’s kitchen ever tastier. Each meal is better than the one before, served hot and ready on the dot. Coffee from Rock City Coffee in Rockland, ME. Meat from Curtis Meats in Warren, ME and Wiggins in Rockland, ME. Seafood from Graffam Seafood in Rockport, ME. Oysters from North Haven Oyster Co. or John's River Oyster. Lobsters from Co-ops across Penobscot Bay. Olive Oils from Fiore in Rockland. Produce from Stonecipher Farm, Beth's Market, Hall Brook Farm, and many other small farms across the state that sell their produce through small grocery stores like Fresh Off the Farm and A Good Tern. Watching the crew load all the necessary food onboard on sailing day is a sight in itself.
Captains Justin and Jocelyn take intense pride in their vessel and the crew. Always on, Jocelyn lives most of the day in the gallery, manning the wood stove, creating dishes that will amaze. Justin is always at the wheel, sharing his knowledge of the sea and sailing with anyone who will listen.
Says Jocelyn, “Sailing on a schooner has taught me and a lot of people over the years to step back from the hustle and appreciate the simplicity of being outside, a little unplugged. Time just melts away when you let go of the things that weigh on your mind on shore. Letting the wind guide you from one beautiful place to another reminds us that sometimes we have to be adaptable and go with the flow. Living aboard these old ships distances us from modern conveniences which makes us appreciate them more when we are reunited with them at the end of the trip. I think it has helped me to take fewer things for granted. “
For more of the story, visit South Carolina Currents magazine and Lake Oconee Living magazine in the coming months.
The lobster bake on Russ Island
I will GO there.
I’m not a big fan of lobster. Seems you either love it or hate it. Hate might be a strong word, but if given the choice, I’ll pick chicken every time.
For some reason, sitting bay side with a breathtaking view of the schooner followed by a cotton-candy pink sunset, lobster just tastes better. That - plus paper plates, paper towels and fingers - is the ideal combination to make whatever you happen to be consuming taste better. Just ask the girl from Copenhagen who downed her first oyster! She did it with a smile on her face. The salty sea air makes you do things that, otherwise, would be a fleeting thought. On Russ Island, the crew served us, and we dined like kings. After the lobster, the s’mores.
“It’s all I’ve got left,” says Captain Justin, holding a s’more over his head toward the crowd. “Over on that fire, I’m roasting off some homemade pizzelles. On top of that, I’m laying the finest chocolate to ever come out of Hersey, Pennsylvania. And then, we think it couldn’t get any crazier, not one, not three, but TWO roasted marshmallows to perfection. Folks, this is your dessert.”
Back to the tender and to the vessel for a heavenly night’s sleep.
Sweet Chariot Music Festival on Swan’s Island
Sweet Chariot Music Festival, Swan’s Island, Maine, is vocal, instrumental and ensemble musical arts and theater with many original compositions. This festival became the catalyst for the week of music aboard the J & E Riggin, and we were proud to have two sets of musicians share their passion with the local community.
We went ashore, tender-by-tender, walked the mile to the community house, where the old-timey hall was filled to the rafters with an audience awaiting music from all over the world. From African music to lively versions of “Peg” by Steely Dan, it was an unexpected night of perfection. As each act took the stage, we watched the full moon rise of Swan’s Island bay.
With Ethan and Elsie (New England based) performing - and a pop-up performance by Brigid and Johnny Reedy (Montana based) - the Riggin was represented well. With sounds deeply rooted in Americana, featuring fiddles, guitars, and ukuleles, the artists roused the audience with western and New England rhythms and charms.
Listen to Ethan and Elsie here.
Listen to Brigid and Johnny here.
Captain Justin: “If the boat is a home, and for many of us it is, then we are a family.”