Sharksmouth 2019

May 10-12, 2019, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.

Another adventure with Jessica Craig and the Steady Habits Travelers. This is a group of friends that get together every so often, rents a house, and has an 1860s event for a weekend. Other events Jessica has put on include a weekend at Cape May, Welbourne in Virginia., On Thin Ice in Vermont, as well as Sharksmouth 2018. The estate this event is held on is called Sharksmouth as a rock outcropping over the water looks like a shark’s head. The house was actually built in 1868, but we move it back to 1865 so as to avoid a whole new wardrobe.

I started out Thursday and stopped part way, then continued on Friday morning. I had hoped to be there in time for one of the crafty projects, but the traffic was so bad I arrived much later than I had planned. I had the same room as last year, a small single above the kitchen. I really like this room; it’s small and cozy and somewhat secluded, and the bed is very comfortable.

Last year’s photo
Last year’s photo

Those who were there Friday participated in two projects. The first was pressed seaweed; similar to pressing flowers, but with seaweed. Several ladies went down to the beach on a very windy morning and collected various specimens of seaweed. Later they laid it out is various patterns making wonderful images.

The next project was seashell pincushions. These are constructed with seashells, velvet, and filled with crushed walnut shells. They, too, were lovely. I brought home the makings of the pincushion and will put one together as I really like the look of these.

Originals
Group’s reproductions

I did make it in time to dress and help set out dinner. I had a chance to wear the new surplice bodice; found a few things that need to be adjusted, but it was comfortable and worked well. As always, we had plenty of good food. Dinner this time included a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry, stuffing—all the fixings. For desserts we had a chocolate bundt-like cake and I made a Washington pie.

We spent the first evening reading aloud from Peterson’s; a sad tale of first love, the cooling of passion, and death in war by Henry James. Others played whist.

Saturday was our big outing for a schooner ride on the bay. After breakfast and dressing, we prepared our picnic for the boat and headed to Gloucester, just up the road a bit. We could not have asked for a more perfect day. This was so much fun! I had never been on a schooner before and enjoyed it very much. It was windy, of course, but the scenery was beautiful.

We sailed on the Ardele. The boat was constructed by hand and based on an 1840s schooner.

The crew were very helpful: a couple of our group lost items overboard due to the wind; one item was lost but another was rescued.

The lost shawl
Our captain
But hat was rescued

Our luncheon was delightful although some had a bit of a time trying to stand and serve themselves at the same time.

The views from the boat were beautiful.

At one-point Jessica joined the crew in acting out a poem about sailing and a shipwreck. The sail was about 2 hours, to the entrance of the bay and back.

Upon our return to Sharksmouth, some of use decided to walk down to the beach nearby. I had a chance to wear my silk mantle. This was the same beach where they collected seaweed the day before.

We also had a chance for some photos on the terrace at the house.

Dinner was catered by a local restaurant and consisted of London broil, potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. We had several birthdays to toast with champagne as well. After dinner we had some dancing. We were led in some Grand March moves that I had never done before and enjoyed it very much. We also danced the Spanish Waltz and other quadrilles. I was rather tired and didn’t stay downstairs for the whole evening, but enjoyed what I did participate in.

Sunday morning, we were a small group for breakfast as several attendees had left earlier in the morning to travel home. Later in the day some of us went to the “rocks”. This is a grouping of rocks overlooking the water; it’s quite a view and a lovely walk.

After lunch we began the chore of dividing up food, clearing our rooms and packing up cars. Again, I only traveled part of the way home, finishing my trip on Monday.

This is a lovely event. Jessica always organizes wonderful time travel weekends. The activities are period and the weekend is never over planned with plenty of opportunity to participate in period activities of your choosing. I wish they could be longer!

Here are a few other random photos from the event. You can also find photos on Jessica’s Facebook page: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.