So much for blogging more often....
Anyway, a couple of weeks ago Rebecca and I had the opportunity to go to San Diego for a 5th/6th grade ELP (gifted program) field trip. Sounds fun, right??? I thought so too, until I found out exactly what we were in for. The students (and parents) were to be "hired" as the crew for the Star of India sailing ship in 1874, and we would be treated very much like crew members. Shortly after we arrived at the ship, we were organized into crews and Becca was put as the mate in charge of the linehanders crew. The captain and first mate were quite strict with the crew and we all learned very quickly to not put our hands in our pockets (unless you wanted to do push-ups) and to reply quickly and loudly, "Aye, Captain Sir," whenever we were given an order. The rest of the first day we were trained in all the many things a good crewmate should know and do. One of Rebecca's crew's first tasks was to learn to lower the Captain's rowboat. They did great!
Another job was to go down to the bilge (or the lowest part of the boat) to check for leaks or catch mice. Fun stuff, I tell you. Here you can barely see Rebecca (blue shirt), lying on her stomach on a small platform on wheels, being pushed into the crawl space. I did it too, and it was NOT pleasant.
Next was learning to handle the ropes to move freight. Here is Rebecca giving the orders to her mates about how and when to pull the ropes. It was a hard task, especially with the Captain putting pressure on her to get it right the first time. She did great though. (By the way, this was one of my only times to sit down.)
After a great dinner of rat stew and soft tack (beef stew and roll), we had a couple of hours that the Captain wasn't so strict and the kids were actually laughing, dancing, and singing sea chanties for a bit. Around 9:30pm we were instructed to lay out our sleeping bags on the mid-deck, had a silent fire drill, and were given instructions for our night watches. Becca finally got to go to sleep around 10:30 but had to be up again at 11:15. I didn't even bother trying to sleep during that time. Our crew was on watch from 11:30pm-1:00am. During that time, they were not allowed to talk. They had one station where they read and wrote letters to loved ones, another to write in the Captain's log, another to learn to tie knots, and one where they just stood holding onto the wheel.
Did I mention it was COLD???
We finally were done with our watch and got to sleep in our clothes on the nice hard deck. Great night's sleep. At just after 6am, we were awakened by banging pots and the Captain shouting at us that we had 7 (S.E.V.E.N.) minutes to get up and have all our gear packed up and ready to go, lined up on deck. What?! Most of these kids don't even know how to roll up a sleeping bag. Needless to say, there was no time to change clothes or even use the bathroom. After a quick breakfast, it was time to swab the deck. Not easy work. Makes me feel like mopping my kitchen isn't so bad.
Unfortunately (?) we were then told that the Captain found a more experienced crew and would have to let us go. The contract was sold to the kids' teacher, where they would be made to continue their education, therefore giving them a chance for a better life. Here's all the crews in their formation.
After he stepped out of character and before we left the ship, the Captain posed for a quick picture. He was actually a great guy and a fantastic actor/historian.
Next, we hurried to a different boat (one that actually moved) for a floating lab. The kids helped throw out and haul in a net full of sea creatures. Here is one ugly fish getting up close and personal with Rebecca (in the braid).
Becca was pretty anxious during the first part of the trip but after awhile she relaxed and got into it. Here she is holding a shrimp. Braver than her mother.
If you squint you can see the tail of the gray whale we saw. Apparently we were very lucky to see one, as they are usually further out. Wish the picture was better. But we were pretty close when it surfaced.
Proof I was actually there.
One of Becca's favorite parts was all the sea lions on this dock. This picture doesn't capture it but the docks were covered before a guy came out and literally shooed them away.
Last stop was pizza on the beach. BUT, we couldn't get wet or even take our shoes off in the sand. That's ok. All we really wanted was a shower and our own beds. It was a long (stinky) ride back to Mesa.
It was a great learning experience...but I don't think Rebecca wants to be a 19th century sailor when she grows up.
