We are glued to the news on TV and the Internet day and night. It’s definitely time to take a break. what to do? We decided to go along the river and become one with the river flow and check out the replica of Christopher Columbus’ Nina and Pinta. This history buff was fascinated by the ancient ships that sailed the seas. And they reminded me of the nostalgic seaside memories of my island girlhood.
Columbus’ landing in 1492 symbolizes the beginning of America, but that wasn’t the motivation for my trip. First, Columbus Day also marks the historical beginning of the colonization of Native Americans. Having grown up in the British colony of Bermuda, colonialism is more than history and I will never condone it. Second, during his four journeys from Spain to the New World, Columbus landed in the Bahamas and further south, never once setting foot in what would become America.
I continue to have a deep appreciation for the oceans and voyages across them. The sailing lessons I took in my childhood taught me how difficult it can be. I was the worst captain ever. I was sailing through a small harbor when a sudden gust of wind hit the sails and I almost wrecked the entire crew. How did the Columbus crew spend more than 30 days at sea, and why did they want to do it again and again?
The replica ship was anchored at Ross’s Landing, gently swaying in the Tennessee River. Thanks to modern rubber tires, ships don’t have to scrape the docks they’re tied to. The sides can be easily damaged as they are all made of unfinished wood with no top coat. It must have taken some engineering genius to enable these ships to sail the oceans centuries ago.
Families brought their children to tour the ship and teach them about its history. The children were more interested in enjoying the charming atmosphere of the ship than in the historical details. My breathing settled into a gentle pace as I watched them merrily roam the sloping deck as the water slid into the sea. They hopped up the wooden stairs to the upper deck while eating Halloween candy. Fun-loving young people weren’t the only ones on the boat. Several couples boarded the boat with their dogs. The dogs must have sensed this inviting aura and quickly settled down on the boat deck, feeling right at home.
It wasn’t just the tourists on the boat who were having fun. Some fun was brought by the river people. A Chattanooga duck boat passed by several times and explained the history of the Nina and Pinta to passengers. Hearing this, the man who sold us the boarding tickets laughed. “Tourists on the Ducks always hear about Chattanooga, but when we arrive, it’s all about us.” I asked him what it was like to be in charge of these boats. Ta. He explained that it was a family business and he had been a boat captain for many years. I tried to imagine him living in a 4 square foot captain’s cabin. I’m grateful that he does that, and I’m grateful that I don’t.
I stood on a railing overlooking the river and watched a small motorboat carrying several elderly fishermen pass by. One of them laughed and swung his fishing rod so high that it almost got caught on the wooden plank below me. I gasped and stepped back. He exclaimed, “You are the most beautiful pirate ever!”
I laughed and took a deep breath. That’s what we need right now. It’s time for a short trip on the Nina along the river. The ship will be anchored here until November 3rd. Drop anchor.
Contact Deborah Levine, author, trainer/coach, and editor of American Diversity Report, at Deborah@AmericanDiversityReport.com.
