Out of Experience, Comes Character

Travel School for us starts each year with two solid weeks of home-schooling at home.  We use the time to get into the groove of school, discuss our goals for the year and prepare, academically, for the places we will visit. Aristotle said in his book of Poetics that “decisions define character.” Each day of our travel-school represents…

And We’re Off! Land Cruise 2016

September 7th marked the first day of Travel-School 2016-2017. We are organized and ready to go ~ as we start this school year off in Newport, RI. After two weeks of ‘homeschool’ at home, we will fly west to see some beautiful parts of our country.  Our schoolbooks are packed, along with abundant, fresh art supplies,…

Perspective? Yes Please

Well, we finished! June 24th marked our last day and we officially closed the book on our 2015-2016 school year. We arrived back in Newport in early May in time to catch all of the Baseball and Softball Little League season as well as Spring Travel Soccer. Wrapping up school at home was perfect. Being…

The Future of Travel School

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…

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…

Traveling Light and the Magic of a Tiny Tree

In September and October while traveling to Europe (three countries), plus schoolbooks and sailing gear for four weeks we were challenged to ‘pack light.’ The kids and Tony went carry-on though of course, I required two bags: one for my clothes and the other for books. My carry-on bag was comprised of the family computers, plugs and a…