Egmont Key Light House [Photo from Wiki Commons]

Day 1: St. Petersburg to Egmont Key to Desoto Point Park

Up and at ‘em! Today we hit the 20 mile trip down to the mouth of the Bay. We stop for a mid-afternoon exploration at Egmont Key – the slender island that separates Tampa Bay from the Gulf of Mexico – with beaches on both sides! Egmont is the home of a still functioning lighthouse and the ruins of the Spanish-American War era fort, Fort Dade. From Egmont Key we will make our way south about 6 miles to the Little Manatee River and anchor out by Fort Desoto Point Park. After our student cooked dinner, we’ll have a time of teaching and discussion.    



Desoto National Memorial Park

Day 2: Desoto Point Park to Longboat Key

We awake to the 30’ high cross that overlooks our anchorage. After a quick breakfast and devotional, we’ll dinghy in to Desoto Park and explore its trails and museum. Then it’s all aboard for our journey out into the Gulf of Mexico! We pass by Egmont once more and then sail about 10 miles south to Longboat Key Pass where we’ll hail the bridge attendant to open up the draw bridge for us (on demand!). Once inside, we’ll settle down in a little anchorage just off Longboat. The night will offer us an opportunity to have a conversation in the midst of a beautiful and quiet anchorage.



Longboat Key Pass

Day 3: Longboat Key to St. Petersburg

Put on your sea legs – now that you’re seasoned sailors, today’s journey will take us all the way back to St. Pete. We’ll get a chance to practice the skills we’ve learned the first two days and enjoy the beauty of Tampa Bay one last time. We’ll be back at the dock by sunset – just enough time to get home and crack open a book or two before your next day’s classes. 

View from top of Lighthouse at St. Michaels Maritime Museum

Day 1: Deale, MD to St. Michaels, MD

After a short morning devotional, we’ll depart and head across the Bay to St. Michaels! Each student will partake in the boat’s navigation and maneuvering. When we arrive in St. Michaels, students will explore the streets and history of this quaint town, including the renowned Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. The night will give us time for teaching and discussion in this quiet village.   



State Capitol in Annapolis

Day 2: St. Michaels to Annapolis

The four hour sail to Annapolis will take us past Thomas Point Light, one of the few remaining screw-pile lighthouses.   In Annapolis, we will catch a mooring ball in the city harbor. Students will have an opportunity to explore the town’s historic district and the Naval Academy. After dinner on the boat, we will have our second discussion session. 

The Final Sail

Day 3: Annapolis to Herring Bay

The final full day of sailing will take us to back to Herring Bay.  We spend the first part of the morning in our final discussion session as we overlook the city of Annapolis. Hopefully the winds will be at our backs and we’ll be on a down-Bay run. We’ll be back by mid-afternoon so you can make it back to school or home with study time to spare!   



Stono River (at sunrise)

Day 1: Charleston to Stono River

This morning we wake up for a sail out of the harbor, past Ft. Sumnter – the locale of the first fired shots in the Civil War – and head out into the ocean for a 15 mile sail down to the Stono River. We’ll anchor in the marshes of one of its neighboring creeks in the shadows of Kiawah Island. The evening will give a little time to explore the marshes before we settle in for a night of conversation with the noises of nature in the background.



Isle of Palms

Day 2: Stono River to Isle of Palms

This morning we wake up and have breakfast and a devotional before we return to the Atlantic for a sail north. We’ll sail past Charleston Harbor and up to the creeks behind Isle of Palms. The afternoon should give us time to relax on the island’s pristine beaches. After a swim, beach games, or just reading a book, we’ll return to the boat for a dinner and our night’s discussion.  



Fort Sumnter in Charleston Harbor

Day 3: Isle of Palms to Charleston

Today we make our way back to Charleston Harbor – hopefully riding incoming tide (the currents are swift in the harbor)! We’ll get to take in the sights of the historic harbor once more as we reflect on our journey. We’ll reach the dock by mid-afternoon so you can travel home and get jump back into life at home or school.



Menemsha Basin

Day 1: Newport to Menemsha Basin (Martha’s Vineyard)

The day begins with a short morning devotional and an ‘on-dock’ sailing lesson. We’ll head out from Newport and make our way over to Menemsha Basin on Martha’s Vineyard. On the Vineyard, besides listening to that good ole’ Jack-o-Pierce song, “Vineyard,” we’ll get a chance to hike the Menemsha Hills trail and hang out on Menemsha Beach. The trail offers a variety of environments – including wetlands, woodlands, a rocky ocean edge, and the second highest peak on Martha’s Vineyard. After the trail, we’ll make our way back over to Menemsha Beach for the sunset. The beach is touted as the best beach for sunsets on the Vineyard. Depending on the night, we may have our first discussion session on the beach or head back to the boat and enjoy conversation in the harbor.  



Southeast Light House [Photo from Wiki Commons]

Day 2: Menemsha Basin to Block Island

We’ll up early this morning for our long voyage across Block Island Sound to Block Island. The 3 x 7 mile island is lined with lush green fields and what seems like miles of wooden fences. We’ll rent bikes and ride out to the Southeast Lighthouse and Mohegan Bluffs – the site of a pre-colonial battle between the native Niantic and invading Mohegans. The Mohegans were driven off the 250’ high ocean cliffs. If energy is still left, we’ll bike up to the northern most point of the island where the North Lighthouse stands – a beach option is always an option too! We’ll gather back at the boat for dinner and our second night of discussion out under the peaceful calm of night in our anchorage.



Newport Watefront [Photo from Wiki Commons]

Day 3: Block Island to Newport

The morning – especially if a Sunday – will offer a time of worship and conversation. We’ll have our last discussion session before our departure for Newport. The 25-mile sail will give us a chance to showcase our new sailing skills. We’ll be back to our home port mid to late afternoon – enough time to make the drive back to school or home with at least a little study time to spare!