Becoming a SailorIn short
We are now sailing on our own, without family or our friend and skipper, Mark Burton, and every anchorage makes me fist-pump. Rick has taken to homeschooling in a big way: Betty, nine, is learning navigation, and four-year-old Karen is printing her first letters. I baked our first bread in the gas oven. Tampa Bay on a holiday weekend brings jet skis and storm warnings, but sunsets together on the trampolines feel like magic.
We are now flying solo — sailing without the assistance of family or our friend and skipper, Mark Burton. I don’t take this experience for granted. Our new routines of family life on a sailboat is nothing short of exhilarating each time we anchor out, motor from point A to point B, or put up the sails.
My daughter Betty marvels at my fist-pumping enthusiasm — as she is not used to seeing this level of excitement from me.
Settling Into Family Life on a Sailboat
Meanwhile, my husband, Rick, has taken to homeschooling in a big way. We haven’t yet worked out a schedule yet. The fact that it’s a weekend is no impediment. Our kids are keen to learn. So school starts now.
Nine-year old Betty is learning about navigation.
And, four-year old Karen has taken to printing her first letters with amazing precision.
I have learned to use our gas-oven and made our first loaves of bread.
The bread was good but I need to work on my timing. Baking, during the day, on a holiday weekend in Tampa Bay? Pfft. There’s sailing to do.
A holiday weekend in Tampa Bay is not exactly peaceful. All manner of water vessels mill and anchor about around us. Jet skiers constantly buzz and circle our boat. One young man circled is so close to us yesterday that his spray went into Paul’s bedroom window.
On our VHF radio the coastguard issues warnings about approaching storms. On Twitter someone posted a picture of a waterspout, seen in our area.
But it is all part of the excitement out on the water.
Finding Our Rhythm Under Sail
The most peaceful time of day is at sunset. The dishes are done. We’re all nicely fed. And, our family of six sits outside together on the trampolines.
Tonight we saw some fireworks, Paul saw a fish jump, and Betty sang to us quietly.
Family life on a sailboat — it feels like magic.
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Your blog is a delight to read, you have a gift. you all look like you are thriving. Evelyn gasps every time you mention a dolphin. She is mightily impressed with Betty’s classroom. First day of school here tomorrow.