Schooner Sailing In Maine: Flipping The Switch On Technology
Captain Garth Wells contacted me a few weeks ago, when his mate quit unexpectedly. I agreed to fill in for the last two trips of the season on the Lewis R. French out of Camden, Maine. The LRF is the first boat I ever worked on, and is still my favorite schooner around.
We had a pretty rainy 10 days, but the trips were excellent inspite. My poor little computer arms and hands suffered hard when I had to pull heartily on the throat halyard those first couple of days. How soft we get. The trip was a re-awakening for me, a reminder, a fresh breath of air. The focus on the task at hand and the lack of distractions…the hard physical work, and the cold autumn winds… it all cleared the mind’s clutter. I once again learned that simple living, combined with physical team-work is what humans are built to do. I’m reading “Better Off: Flipping The Switch On Technology” by Eric Brende, a fantastic book about how technology has fragmented our lives and displaced us from our own native capabilities. He illustrates that less technology actually increases and enriches our leisure time; our physical and emotional health. I was able to draw many similarities between his story about living in a technology free community and sailing aboard a schooner bult in 1871.
hello,
Can relate on the book… personally Im trying to keep it simple. Im not against technology there are some wonderful things it has brought us but at a price. a 100 years ago you could have a farm, grow your own food, have sheep for gathering wool to make clothes… some barter for other things and your all set. Today we depend on jobs that can disapear in a moment and leave ya standing naked with nothing to do. Im glad I own a boat, that god forbid if the economy tanks and it just might… I got a home and a way to catch my diner lol.
Ordered the book on your recommendation … so be careful what you comment on.
Stay tuned for some time, blog readers! Ben lost his camera again!
What was once lost has now been found! Ben has been reunited with his camera!