Our field trip to Puget Sound started on the banks of the Clark Fork River, where we conducted our annual garbage cleanup and fund-raiser, Ecothon. Through the generosity of pledges made by local businesses and individuals, our excursion was made possible. Many of us involved in the cleanup found ourselves contemplating the values of a society that produces so much waste.

It is fitting then that we sailed on the schooner Adventuress, a 101-foot, 82-ton, two-masted wooden schooner built in 1913 in East Boothbay, Maine. Adventuress is owned by Sound Experience, a nonprofit organization that educates participants about the Puget Sound ecosystem while teaching them how to sail and live in community. She is a boat that inspires awe. In a marina full of fiberglass and steel-hulled crafts, her elegant lines emanate a history and beauty that set her apart from other boats. In 1990, Adventuress was named a National Historic Landmark.

Prior to arriving at Adventuress's mooring in Port Ludlow, we explored tidepools on the Olympic Peninsula and rock-climbed in the Bavarian community of Leavenworth, Wash., where we found the $200 to $600 leiderhosen a bit pricey for our pledge work. On May 17, we arrived in Port Ludlow, a bit blurry-eyed and sleepy from a night of warding off 24 raccoons at Salt Creek County Park. A gregarious and welcoming crew helped shake the sleep from our eyes.

We were broken into three groups -- called watches -- with two watch leaders from the Adventuress crew. We'd be sailing, working, and studying with our watch group during our three-day voyage. After stowing our gear, the boys were led into the F'ocsle to choose bunks. The girls went to the main cabin. We noticed that with only 10 inches of head room in each berth, the menacing bolts and beams might be a painful reminder of our close quarters.

We were soon mustered on deck to learn about the day's events. Two of the crew members, Gabe and Short Splice, performed a skit on the correct use of the heads. We then sat down for a nice vegetarian meal. Many of us gasped when we heard the terrifying news that no candy was allowed on board, and we were quite concerned to learn that all of the food on Adventuress is vegetarian. Our concerns were allayed by some amazing food, which we thought better than most meat dishes.

After lunch, Capt. Wayne Chimenti called all hands on deck to raise the sails. Soon we were hauling on lines and singing sea chanteys with the pirate-like watch leader, Arren. As we sang "Haul Away, Joe," we raised the mainsail, then moved forward to raise the foresail, staysail, and finally the jib. The ship's engine was turned off and we were under way with only the sound of the wind in our sails.

The afternoon passed quickly and near the end of the day, all hands were called on deck to lower the sails. By this time we were working in a natural rhythm, all having learned the names of the sails and lines and joking with the crew as if we'd known them forever. This rhythm would remain with us for the rest of our voyage as we fell into the pattern of sea living.

The crew is one of the most important parts of being aboard Adventuress. They not only teach you about sailing, plankton and knot tying, they set the tone for the entire trip. The crew represented many different backgrounds. Some were learning how to sail along with us while others had sailed for years. Our captain, Wayne Chimenti, has been aboard for more than a decade. Paul Matylas, the first mate, was in his third season on Adventuress. Every crew member was positive and eager to be on board. Their enthusiasm was contagious.

After dinner, we all gathered in the main cabin to entertain each other. With 31 people's talents pooled together, we found ourselves laughing and singing until bedtime. At bedtime, a crew member came into the cabin and read, putting us to sleep with their soothing voices.

The jobs don't all take place during the day. To make sure the crew and boat are safe, we were each assigned a period of the night to do night watch. In groups of two to three people, we checked compass bearings to make sure we hadn't strayed from anchor, checked our depth and the amount of water in the bilge. If we found something abnormal, we were instructed to wake Paul Matylas, the first mate. While it was hard to get up in the middle of the night, we enjoyed the solitude and looking at phosphorescence in the water.

While working with the crew, we came across many new nautical terms. We often asked one of the crew to define a word. Here are some of the words we enjoyed using once we learned what they meant:

Lazarette: a small hole or locker usually found in the stern used for storage. The lazarette on Adventuress was used to store compost.

Stive: a shipwright or designer's term for the angle of the bowsprit to the water line.

Catheads: stout beams projecting from the bow used to hoist and house the anchor.

Boo: the lower spar of the fore and aft sail that move across the ship when tacking.

Knowing these words will help you sound knowledgeable and experienced to sailors.

Sailing aboard Adventuress is an incredible experience. When the sails are up and the wind is blowing, you feel like you are flying. Life slows down and you appreciate the beauty of your surroundings and skills of your companions.

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