This summer has taught us a few things.

Like how you might arrive at work in sandals and leave wishing you wore galoshes. Or how "rain date" is an event courtesy to be taken seriously.

But mostly, summer's taught us to not take that seemingly sporadic sunshine and coastal proximity for granted.

Sooner than we all care to admit, camps will be closed up, kayaks tarped and stored and every schooner on the water will be nestled in for a long winter slumber.

But not yet.

Right now the summer lingers, having fought off days of sprinkles, downpours and torrential rain so that we might appreciate the season's dwindling days.

And appreciate you will, perhaps aboard one of Portland Schooner Company's historic wooden windjammers.

Maybe you've seen the company's two boats, Wendameen and Bagheera, nodding in the water off Maine State Pier in Portland.

Portland Schooner offers regular day and overnight sails, of course. But they're also running a Monday Night Series of sunset sails. I took advantage of this week's Chocolate Lover's Sail - a splendid combination of Casco Bay, Lindt and wine.

Our group boarded Bagheera around 6 pm. The sky hadn't yet decided which atmospheric direction it was headed. But the sun had been out all day, building optimistic spirit to its peak. We were getting on this boat, darn it, and the sun better stick around for it.

Once we'd adequately settled in, the captain offered some words of history and safety - ie, "don't lean on this." (The history can be read at www.portlandschooner.com.

And before we even separated from the pier, Kevin Kingdon of Lindt began placing triangles of chocolate into anticipating hands. On his tray lie rows of white chocolate coconut, chocolate with sea salt and chili chocolate, among others.

Jacques de Villier, owner of Old Port Wine Merchants, brought the wine aboard and masterfully filled our glasses despite the teetering of the deck.

Some couples kicked back together amid the unavoidably romantic atmosphere. Others mingled, opined on the wine and asked, "Where'd the chocolate guy go?"

No one cursed the view.

It did rain. For all of 30 seconds, plump drops pelted our heads and shoulders. But the storm cloud took pity and retreated, leaving a sunset that I won't dare try to describe.

Dusk eventually took over the water, marking the end of our two-hour excursion.

I departed the pier with my Portland appreciation swelled to capacity. While there were several locals aboard, there were also out-of-towners who remarked on the city skyline, the welcome weather respite and the handsomeness of the boats.

And I thought, yup. Lucky we locals are.

The Monday sails depart at 6 pm from Maine State Pier and include the Chocolate Lover's Sail ($50), a champagne and caviar tasting with Browne Trading Company and a Maine Mead Works wine & cheese pairing.

For more info or to reserve a spot: www.portlandschooner.com or 207-766-2500.

For daily sails, check the schedule and rates page.