Sunset Cruise Karaoke & Janet's 60th Birthday

Things I packed but haven't used:

- my purse

- my Reeboks

- makeup remover

- tripod

- any of the shorts I brought

Today was our second day in Maine, and my favorite part of the day was the Sunset Cruise. Candice, Edith and I boarded the boat and settled into our "reserved seats," two rows of benches on the top level left in the very front--the best seats in the house. The salty air whipped through my hair and I closed my eyes, enjoying the breeze and the spray of the sea salt. 

We laughed and took photographs and listened to the tour guide detail about our surroundings. We passed coastal mansions, islands with rich history, and I kept my eye out for any interesting birds. I spotted a couple cormorants and many gulls, and I thought I saw something dark bobbing in the waves. Perhaps a seal? Maybe a whale? As I was inspecting the shoreline with my binoculars, two ladies came and sat with Edith and Candice on our benches. They were clutching plastic cups of wine, having come up to the second floor of the boat to hear the tour guide better. They invited us down to the first level, where some sort of party was commencing.  The ladies descended down the stairs, and we decided to follow them.

Birthday Girl Janet in the lobster sweater

It was warmer down in the cabin of the boat, filled with about 20 older white women. We sat on a bench in the back, watching them drink and talk. They had a plethora of snacks, charcuterie board on display on a shelf in the front. We waved to our friends who had visited us on the second floor, and I noticed a lady who was looking out the window, all by her lonesome. I tapped her shoulder and asked her if she was alright, and she said yes, she was just tired. She had been up since 3:45 a.m. to watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. I asked her what her story was, what was the occasion?

"We grew up together in a neighborhood in Chicago," she replied. "We do a girls trip every two or three years, whoever can come. This year we chose Bar Harbor, and we stay at the same hotel and then split off into groups and do whatever we want during the day. We're celebrating Janet's birthday today."

Two ladies emerged from the door holding a microphone. We sang Janet a happy birthday, and her face shone with joy. Janet was glowing, and she tuned 60 today. The ladies led a round of birthday cheers, and they opened up the floor for karaoke. 

I jumped up at the opportunity. When else would you ever be able to sing well-loved songs in front of a crowd of drunk older ladies, on a boat, in Maine! We had some technical difficulties with the microphone, but they encouraged me to sing anyway. I opened up my glamorous performance with "Kokomo," by The Beach Boys. Brian Wilson passed away the day we arrived, and he has been on my mind all trip.

Jessica preparing to preform

"Aruba...Jamaica....ooh, I wanna take ya...." I crooned, and the ladies caught on and finished the verse for me. I can't hold a tune to save my life, but their energy was electrifying. We told them we were from Texas, and they urged us to sing a "Texas song," which directly translates to country music. We sang "All My Exes Live in Texas," by George Strait, and "Margaritaville," by Jimmy Buffett with Captain Phil. The ladies were begging us to continue the party, so Jessica took the reigns. She stood up, equipped with the lyrics pulled up on her phone, and sang "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" by Looking Glass. It was an absolute hit with the ladies! I hadn't heard that song in forever, and I surprised myself by knowing most of the words!

"Your eyes could steal a sailor from the sea..." 

The ladies were magnificent. It reminded me of when I was younger and I would hang out with my mother and all her friends, and we would dance around our kitchen singing George Strait. They were all so beautiful, clapping their hands and stumbling through the words, and then bursting into laughter and giggles. I haven't felt that kind of girlhood in awhile, and it was a very special moment to share with us girls. They even invited me to the bars after with them! I cannot wait to grow older and be just like them.