This spring, living on our boat in the Bahamas has noticeably changed us once again. It is palpable; we can feel the change in our ways and attitudes. When we are traveling, I imagine we radiate a sense of free-spirited calm. Our time in the Bahamas was a slow-burn-balance of extreme beauty, quality family time and nature. We found it necessary to re-adjust our expectations in…
Poetry and People in Paradise
If Once You Have Slept on an Island If once you have slept on an island You’ll never be quite the same; You may look as you looked the day before And go by the same old name, You may bustle about in street and shop; You may sit at home and sew, But you’ll…
Elbow Reef Light
We meet interesting people every day, both on water and land. Sometimes we get their story, hear a song, share a poem or a glass of iced rum… Today we met Elvis and his uncle Henry – each full of character and wisdom ready and willing to impart. Elvis (in top photo) is from Great Inagua Island and…
Bajamar
The name “Bahamas” comes from the Spanish word, “BAJAMAR” – meaning “shallow sea”.* There are over 700 islands here, spread over nearly 300,000 sq km in the western Atlantic Ocean. Much of the water is so shallow it is impassable and even deep water is remarkably clear as glass. With our first two weeks in the Bahamas behind us, we feel relaxed and…
Our first “Crossing”
Crossing the Gulf Stream or even part of the Atlantic Ocean in our boat was never, ever on my “gotta do this” list. Or, if I am being honest, on my “maybe-wanna do” list. But cross part of the Atlantic Ocean we did, and what a cool experience. We waited months for the right weather…
Cortado-School on World History
“When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible”. This quote by fellow coffee-lover, Howard Shultz, speaks to the core by which our Cortado program thrives. We are all invested. The kids health and well-being, their school, the maintenance and safety of the boat, Tony’s work projects,…
Poetry in Motion – Cortado Style
Poetry has been a solid course of study onboard the Cortado. Over the last two years I modified a very basic poetry curriculum from our Calvert School studies to incorporate a larger appreciation of the art of poetry. We read a lot of poems! We search for poetry that resinates within and we each continue to…
School, Fish and Racing Sailboats
Clouds: bimulous, billowing and amazing. Rain soft, gentle, sideways, pounding. Mother nature showing every possible color of blue, teal, grey, green, aqua… so beautiful in the Keys. The weather has been interesting these past two weeks and in Key West we have seen some BIG wind and rainstorms. This was cause to move school indoors,…
Adventure-Schooling in South Florida
Our two-week Christmas break is officially over and we have returned to school with great energy and enthusiasm! *I would love to know if teachers feel the same about vacation-time from school: When we take a break, I have noticed the kids come back with an excitement to learn that is passionate and infectious. They are…
Plunging, Snorkeling and Fishing
Happy 2016! The year has started off incredibly well for the Cortado crew. Our annual chilly “Polar Bear Plunge” went off without a hitch as we found an area to anchor in 6 feet of clear aqua blue water in the Florida Keys and 82 degrees of air temperature. Not too bad! (Oliver after his warm-water…
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