Taking Jupiter Home

Jupiter pushed off the docks of Baltimore at 8:00am to the expectation of a beautiful, clear day.

Our captain, Ralph, called me up to the wheel house and asked if I would want to take Jupiter for a "joy ride" around the inner harbor of Baltimore before we headed back to Philadelphia. I didn't hesitate! I steered Jupiter smoothly around the harbor (well, I didn't hit anything) under the watch of our relief captain, Bill Wiley. The crew is treated with the trust to carry out any of Jupiter's needs.

It was a beautiful day. We were fortunate to only have rain Thursday night before we left, but the rest of the weekend was blue skies.

Jupiter is not only available for the crew. Jupiter is a great place to host a party! Jupiter is available for unique celebrations on an historic tug. Jupiter is also open for tours, field trips, students and groups. Even if you would like to check Jupiter out with your friends, give the guild a call and we can arrange it.

As we entered the Canal, I was called up to the wheel house again. (Also known as pilot house). There was a lot of traffic on the water as I took the wheel. Sailboats, motor boats, jet skies and other tugs passed us.

As we got closer to home, the crew continued to make sure Jupiter was clean and ready to dock. Ann Preston and Bobby Flemming organized paperwork, folded pamphlets and kept us in order though their usual hard work. As Bobby reminded me, whether your scrubbing the deck or writing a pamphlet, it is all equally valued ways to maintain and preserve Jupiter.

Jack Gifford baked his homemade sticky buns and fixed us one last meal of chile. He also made sure throughout the trip that there was always hot coffee, iced tea and he even had homemade Gatorade.

We entered Philadelphia with the help of guild members on land. Jupiter was all tied up by 1800(6:00 pm).

I am so thankful to get the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful crew and under the leadership of a great captain.

I know that I will never forget this experience on Jupiter and will continue to be very involved.

Thank you to everyone that has been reading this blog and supporting Jupiter!
Abby Fazio