The Lawler Academy of the High Seas has started!

Well, things are going pretty well for this cruising family. We visited Boothbay and Rockland Maine and got re-connected with civilization. We had been buying staples (bread, milk, fruit, and vegetables) at little teeny groceries stores at premium prices and living off the goodies that Kim had packed into every nook and cranny on the boat. After six weeks of that, we were due for a replenishment run. We were thrilled to find a Walmart, Home Depot, Shaw’s Super mart and a Hamilton marine store all within a mile from the harbor in Rockland. My credit card is still smoking from the activity.

After stocking up, we snuck way back into Seal bay in Vinalhaven Island and had an entire cove to ourselves. I had purposely arrived early in the day and anchored our boat in the very center of an 8 to 9 foot deep spot at the end of a creek. Other boats came near, took one look at that big boat, and correctly deduced that there was no more room for them. We lowered the kayaks and paddled around exploring. We saw a mature bald eagle soaring above us and seals popping up every so often to see who had come into their backyard. Tom and Emily harvested mussels one evening and we left them hanging inside our dive bag in the water overnight to cleanse out any mud and grit. The next day we enjoyed them as an appetizer and they were really good. Emily found a few small pearls but I don’t think they are going to finance the rest of our trip. Attempts at harvesting clams were less successful.
We also decided to get a jump on home school and we broke out the Calvert School supplies. We did a few days at anchor and developed a routine as we started our passages south. Each day starts with the Pledge of Allegiance and then Dad does about an hour of Math. If we are moving for the day, after math is when we raise anchor, have breakfast and get the boat moving. Dad keeps the boat generally pointed towards the destination, while Mom instructs in Science, Mythology, Spelling, Composition, Geography, Art, Phonics, Reading, History and Poetry. Although Math is done every day, some of the other subjects are rotated throughout the week. Mom still has the lions share and also has to deal with a queasy pupil on days when the passage is a little rocky. Emily complains a little but is finding math easy so far. Composition will be a challenge, but most of the other subjects are being attacked with vigor. We are already substituting when we find the prepared material too lame. Calvert art, for instance, would have Emily tracing her hand and painting a rooster (something she did when she was 4). Below is the Lawler Academy of the High Seas art project. Family and friends are requested not to look too close since you may be viewing your Christmas presents…did I mention that the mussels were really good?

Tom