38:56.854N  76:31.195W    Aboard s/v "Arbella""

Dear Rob and 3rd grade class of Lake Magdalene School,

It has been a very special pleasure and honor for s/v "Arbella" to have enjoyed the relationship with all of you this past year!  It seems a bit ironic that our passage is ending on your last day of class....we will literally end at 3pm today!!    As you know, the "Wallace's Sailing Adventure on Arbella" started in Ipswich, England, UK on April 19, 2012, and is now ending in Annapolis, MD, USA, on June 7, 2013.  Our little sailboat has now navigated 7,317 miles, been to England, Channel Islands, France, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands....crossed the Atlantic...then St. Lucia, BVI's, and St. John in the Caribbean.  Vicki and I have so enjoyed your "Collection of Thoughts" book that you presented to us when we visited your classroom.  That book holds a place of honor aboard "Arbella".

You are all very fortunate to have Mr. Webb as your teacher.  He cares about you.  I know he has shown you how learning can be fun and interesting, and how it can give you even greater opportunities to explore and learn. 

Vicki and I hope these "adventures" stay with you for quite some time.  They will certainly be cherished by us.  And, you can continue the adventure as the blog for Arbella will, from time to time, continue.  Whenever we make an entry, we will think about you, and wonder if you will read that entry also.  The website will continue indefinitely at  http://blog.mailasail.com/arbella.  Entries will not be nearly so frequent, however, as "Arbella" settles into her new permanent "dock slip" at our home in Annapolis.

We are also very grateful that Vicki's sister, Joanne Hainz, (kindergarten teacher at Lake Magdalene School), took the initiative to make this wonderful connection.  No wonder she was "Teacher of the Year for Lake Magdalene School"....she's a rock star just like Mr. Webb!!!

All the best to you all,

"Fair winds and following seas"....God  Speed!!

Captain Mike

s/v "Arbella"