Life Aboard

Hi All! We have been on the hook for the past week and away from the internet. This post was written on Feb 12 - the day of the big snow storm back home.

February 12, White Sound, Elbow Cay

Well, it is a stormy Sunday in Abaco as a front pushes through this morning. Winds are pushing 35 knots with plenty of rain. Its snowing in New York this morning so it looks like we are all holed up for a bit. Seems like a good day to write a new post to the blog, except this time rather than post pictures of places we have seen or some of the extraordinary sea life, I think I will write about life aboard Tide Pool. Of course, the many incredible things we have experienced are intermixed with many quiet times - at anchor for the night, holed up in a marina waiting out a blow, or just the tail end of a long day of exploring. If the main point of this expedition was to spend lots of quality time together, then we have succeeded beyond our hopes. It is a wonderful experience to wake up each morning and not have any plans. Typically our day starts with all of us cuddled into the main berth up forward. Jillian and Lindsay make their way up there during the night and Lex completes the picture.

When we are not exploring our activities include reading, building blanket forts, playing games, watching a DVD. On clear nights – especially when we are anchored out away from lights - we like to go stargazing and pick out constellations and planets, which we are getting pretty good at. Other times the girls keep themselves busy meeting some new people, or putting on a dance show.

All in all, life aboard has been comfortable and we have proved that a family can adapt to living aboard even though it means a lot less personal space. Ironically, I write this as the girls are wrapping a pretty major territorial battle over a tent fort down below – I guess I have always been an optimist and am able to filter out the ugly exchanges and focus on those moments where everything comes together so nicely as they often due on this cruise. Enjoy the images of Life Aboard Tide Pool! Doug




Self entertaining? I would say so!!



If I didn't know better, I would think that Lindsay was hungover... this reminds me of college pictures.



A box of Pretzel Stix goes a long way towards happiness.


On Tide Pool,it is all smiles, hugs and kisses and NEVER any fighting or bickering.


The Tazmanian Devil collapses into Mom's arms



Lets see... why is Jillie so tired? Was it the run across the Sea of Abaco on Tide Pool this morning? The 10 mile dinghy ride on Tide Puddle? Snorkeling at Mermaid Reef? Swimming in the pool? Lexie's Birthday party? I don't understand why she is so tired...


Strike Two...



And Three Strikes - She's OUT!

Mom and her boy.



In the zone...Movie Zone


Hey, thats my Sippy Cup!!!



A new sundress to model always puts a smile on my girls' face!




Dancing on the dock at twilight!


The Coconut in the Water game with new friends from White Sound.


We are working on helping Lindsay get over her camera-shyness.


First we re-learn it, then we teach it to our children - I stay about 15 minutes ahead of Lexie on Geometry. Do you remember what a Scalene triangle is?


Teddy Bear in the Hat game - Kid Kreativity abounds when it gets quiet!



Dad running the boat, Bentley providing footrest, Lexie in the comfortable helm seat.


Afternoon nap while underway exploring on Tide Puddle


Jillian baiting her own hook with a slimey piece of squid. Way to go J-Bean!!!


A Tide Pool Tent City - a rainy day regular event.


And the citizens of the Tent City



Lindsay studying the Abaco Cruising Guide


Lexie studying



Playing on the dinghy



Jillian curled up front in the pillows with a book