"Arbella's" Honorary Crew.... 3rd Grade at Lake Magdalene in Tampa

Wallace's Sailing Adventure on "Arbella"
Mike and Vicki Wallace
Thu 28 Mar 2013 13:31

How absolutely heartwarming....and emotional!  When we did the blog entry on Monday, December 10th during the "Crossing", we discussed the most exciting highlight of our adventure in "the crossing" when we did FaceTime with the 3rd Grade Class of Lake Magdalene School in Hillsborough County, Florida.  Well we did a reprise....in person!  Joanne (Vicki's sister) arranged for the original Face Time session, and she also arranged for the "real thing".  As Vicki and I walked into the classroom, the class instructor, Rob Webb, called "attention on deck"....then...."hand salute"  (see the pictures)....then, "at ease".....and by instinct for what I have not said since I left the Navy in 1974, I said "as you were"!  Well this "crew" was flawless in their responses....and that was only the beginning!  We then opened the floor for questions, and 90 minutes later, hands were still in the air when we needed to end the session.  Rob and his class had been building a part of their curriculum around the "Crossing of Arbella", and the history, geography and geology that accompanied many of the blog entries, all about the Atlantic!  Moreover, Mr. Webb clearly evidenced his nautical interests with innumerable posters, artifacts, models, signs, pictures, and more....all around the classroom.  Rob's students evidenced an extraordinary level of understanding and curiosity, with an apparent voracious appetite for knowledge about sailing, the ocean, the routines of the crew, and the working of the sailboat!!  Rob has clearly made this learning experience fun, interesting, and exciting as the students pieced together sailing from the 15th century to the 21st century....and, now, they obviously know how much fun learning can be, and how they can do it on their own.  Finally, the most emotional of all was the "presentation" to Vicki and I of a notebook (see picture) comprised of pages that the students authored....drawings, stories, letters...all about "Arbella" and their perspectives on aspects of "The Crossing" that were impactful to them.  This book has a permanent place of honor in the salon of "Arbella" for all visitors to see, as she continues her passages over the coming years.  And, finally, as we left the classroom, Rob again called "attention on deck"....."hand salute"....which I returned....as this "Honorary Crew of Arbella" said in unison...."Goodbye Captain Mike".   Vicki and I left with a great smile....this was a really GOOD DAY!!    All for now, Captain Mike.

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