Yoga Aboard

When we first set out on this journey back in November, I was just trying to survive this boat adventure. I had so many things to learn (and still do). There was sooo much to do. And we were in crazy travel mode because we wanted/needed to get as far south as possible  as fast as we could. 

My yoga practice took a back seat for several reasons. Mainly it was impossible to do any type of asana practice while moving. I was co piloting our tank of a boat and when I wasn't on first mate duties I was asleep. We had a pretty rigorous travel schedule down the ditch. And even if I could make it happen before the sun was up (and we were under way) everything was soaking wet. 

I tried a few times on the dock when we were tied up at marinas. In both instances it was really cold so a full practice would have been unsafe for the body. I did work on breathing and trying to just be (and that is just as much a part of practice as the movement). 

Then, we finally made it to The Keys and it was non stop raining and crazy wind. I had no where to practice. On our bow is where it's at. There isn't space to do it anywhere else on board. Well, not without taking out a person, dog, shelf, bulkhead etc... 34 feet people is a decent amount of space for a boat, but by no means is there room to spread out. Spread out... What does that mean anymore? 

I'm pretty confident our 850 square foot house is going to feel palatial after this little journey. 

But I digress~ yoga. 

Mid January I was totally moody and kind of over it. I was over the whole thing- the boat, the rain, the wind, my family (lots of face time in tight spaces with all the weather. I love them, but if you were squeezed into a tin can with the ones you love the most for weeks at a time... You might be over them too). 

Then Hubs reminded me that I hadn't rolled my mat out in awhile. A long while. And even though they were totally legit reasons I needed to start making it happen, for everyone aboard. That's the thing with yoga for me- yes it's great physically, but it is so much more a mental thing for me. And props to my Hubs for recognizing that and then reminding me. 

So slowly, but everyday (unless there was rain) I rolled out my mat.  It took some time to find my groove again.  I started with what I know- Ashtanga. I worked my way through the primary series. Some days I modified because I just wasn't back yet. Sometimes I modified because, while I have the space on the bow, there is wind and boat wakes to contend with. I'm not trying to hurt myself. 

That's something I had to come to terms with too. I absolutely have to be mindful of what's going on around me when I practice on the boat. Mindfulness is part of yoga. But this is different. Take inversions for example. I love inversions. When I'm home or on land I always make extra time to work on going upside down. I can't do that on the boat. I could be upside down in a headstand or handstand and another boat flies by and I flip over the bow and break my back. It's just not worth the risk. So, when I can't make it to land  I focus on seated postures. I have more control there. 

I thought it would hurt my practice. But, the opposite has happened. I am more open to what can happen as opposed to what should happen. 

Sometimes Coco will join me. She will drift up do a few postures, occasionally help with an adjustment, then go back to what she s doing. 

 I use to have a bit of a complex about practicing on the bow  in the full harbor. I'm over that. Admittedly I was a bit of a novelty for passers by in the beginning. Now, I'm just part of the back drop. 

 I am back to practicing 6 days a week.... And everyone onboard is better for it. 

Namasté

Growing Gills

We have been gifted with an almost perfect weather window. Sunny, clear skies, and ideal temperatures (mid 70's- mid 80's). The nights have been calm with just the right amount of a breeze to be comfortable and keep the bugs away.  

The crew aboard Airabess has taken full advantage~ on land and by sea. 

The Marathon Community Park is within walking distance to the marina. So, on the windy days we dingy over. Coco and Hubs play basketball or run around the playground while I roll out my mat. Other times we will take Willow so she can run around. 

But because the water has been so calm we have been snorkeling and swimming our butts off. 

The other day we drove to Baha Honda State Park. I'm not as comfortable under the water as I am on it.  But, Bahia Honda was a great way to ease my way into our marathon of snorkeling. 

The next day we sailed to Sombrero Lighthouse Reef. Coco was in absolute heaven.  I wish (and will soon) had an underwater camera. Although pictures never do things like that justice...

Yesterday we took the dingy off shore to West Sister Rock and swam around there. The clarity and visibility wasn't as good as the previous 2 days... So, after I looked around under the surface for a bit I hopped back on the dingy and just watched my peeps. They are pretty cute those two. 

After rinsing off back on Airabess, Coco and Hubs wanted more water time~ so back on the dingy they  went. This time to fish their favorite spot. And yes, for those who are wondering.... They caught dinner, 2 nice size mangrove snapper (for myself and Hubs, Coco will catch, but she won't eat it).  Apparently they caught a ton more, but threw them back. 

Today is Tuesday. So that means homeschool PE at the city park. Have I mentioned how much I love this place?!  It is perfection for families like us who are easing in to this whole live aboard/cruising thing. 

More fishing for father and daughter once we get back to the boat. For me... I'm planning on rolling my mat out on the bow. 

Fingers crossed we have fish again for dinner. 

When in Rome

We've been playing tourist lately... Up and down the keys. By land and by sea. 

Loving every minute of it. 

We absolutely thought we would be either in the Bahamas,  or in St. Thomas by now... But we're not. 

And that's okay. This isn't so bad either. 

Snorkeling at Sombrero Reef (we had another amazing day at the beach too, but no pics).

Road trip to Islamorado. 

Key West and Mallory Square. 

And our favorite place to go when we just don't have anything to do... The Dolphin Research Center. 

Rainy day on a boat. Wow. With three people and a dog... 

There are so many variables and so many realizations that can take place. It really is.... Interesting?

School Daze

This year Coco is a student of The Florida Virtual School (and has been since kindergarten). When we were still at home, on land, it was the best fit for her and our family. Flexible, but still traditional. 

Now... Not so much. For several reason:

1- We have to have an Internet connection on a pretty regular basis. This usually isn't a problem, but in the event that it is, it effects what and how Coco gets her info. 

2- Because of #1 we aren't able to move around the way we would like. Every Monday we have to be still and connected. 

3- The curriculum is designed in much the same way as a brick and mortar classroom. For some that works , for us, not really. There have been so many times this school year, especially now living aboard, that actual real life learning opportunities have presented themselves... But we had to log in, or it wouldn't fit into our day because of what was required. 

4- The above requirements don't always really apply.  For example, Coco is an avid reader... More so than most adults. So, when I'm testing her on 2nd grade phonics, we both get a little frustrated. It's a total waste of time. 

Other times~ its not enough. This mostly occurs in Science and Social Studies. The unit is over before it even gets started and its time to move on. 

The curriculum is a one size fits all, but it no longer fits us. 

(Coco doing an online presentation... Monday requirements)

Next year I am going to approach it a lot differently. There are some subjects we will purchase (math) and others we won't (probably science and social studies). There are so many opportunities for real, practical, life-experience learning that is completely applicable with 'school standards'. 

I'm super excited about it too. The possibilities are endless. 

Rain,rain.

Raindrops keep falling on my head. Keep falling on my head... Until I close the hatch. 

We live and freeze (or burn up) by the weather down here. 

Last night around 2 a.m. The bottom fell out. There was only 10% chance of precipitation... And it was the worst rain storm we have ever experienced aboard Airabess. 

Then it rained the entire next day.

The only one to leave the boat was Hubs and that was to dingy our neighbor to shore. 

We did what we always do...we made the most of it. 

Rainy day games. 

Pontificating

Is it crazy that I want a bigger boat? And that I want to go....

Plotting and scheming and ready to see what's out there. For real this time. 

So far...We've just gotten our feet wet. Ready to really go for it. 

Conservation

I've been learning a lot about amp draw lately. It's highly exciting stuff. 

When Hubs went home at the beginning of the month he charged all of our batteries and filled up our water tanks. All I had to do was maintain. 

But, a funny thing happened while he was gone. I started to actually pay attention to all of those things. 

Yes, I still let him haul the water (we aren't using our water maker because we are in a harbor). Now, though, I stay on top of the amp draw of our appliances, electronics, etc...  I constantly check our meters and adjust accordingly. 

We have a wind generator, which we have found IS the work horse. I prefer calm days, but I know if we are getting 10-20 mph winds we will have a charged bank. A charged bank is my best friend, for 

lots of reasons. But mostly because the Internet has a HUGE draw, and when it's windy I have free reign. 

We also have 2 solar panels. They help, but don't put in as much in as the wind. 

When both aren't able to keep up... We turn on the engine. It charges the bank too.  But, it also uses desiel (barely sips it, but still) and is loud.  

Not such a bad set up. We are going to invest in another battery I think, and a generator down the road. It's been a challenge keeping up with our demands. But, we are making it work. We are also discovering what are demands versus needs really are. 

Water is a whole other issue. We are definitely more conscious of what and how we use it. And I think when we become landlubbers again we will carry some of the habits with us. That's not to say I don't love my long, hot (did I say long) showers. But, you just don't get that out here. And it's not really that big of a deal really. 

I thought I was a good environmental citizen before.... Well watch out for me now. I've taken this whole conservation thing to another level. 

Staying Warm

Feeling a little like a cat... Lounging in the sunny spots. 

It is still winter, even in The Keys.