Seamen! Right Ahead!

Some things never die. How is it that everything nautical is cool again in the eyes of you and your children? In fashion (skulls and crossbones, stripes, anchor-emblazoned everything, wide-legged trousers, double-breasted coats . . .), in music (Modest Mouse's latest: We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank-complete with anchor merch; Decemberists' "The Mariner's Revenge Song"; the Shins' "Girl Sailor"; Keren Ann's "Sailor & the Widow". . .); tattoos (Sailor Jerry); and especially in film (thanks, Disney!). All that stuff is cool and all, but there's nothing like seeing the real thing in person-when it actually comes to town, that is. The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority has brought its tall ships, the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain to Long Beach Harbor. They're offering a number of different dockside tours and three-hour sailings (see website for complete schedule) around Long Beach, but their tall-ship mock battle sails have got to be the coolest thing both you and your kids will find fascinating. Be like Blackbeard and Jim Hawkins during three-hour adventure cruises in which the two tall-masted ships engage in a mock sea battle, complete with small cannonfire and intricate maneuvering. Sure Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom aren't included in the adventure, but when's the last time you got to take part in a battle at sea?
Dec. 22-23, 2-5 p.m.; Dec. 28-31, 2-5 p.m., 2007