Before Jeremy and Justin started school, we borrowed several pirate books from the library and they decided that they wanted to be pirates. We talked a bit about what pirates did/do and they decided they'd be Christian pirates. Their desire to be pirates has long vanished, but occasionally something about pirates will slip into a conversation.

When the opportunity for a field trip on a sailing ship arose, we put aside studies for the day and sailed the high seas.

Actually we only sailed on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, but they boys still got to help raise the sails.

They had a lesson on navigation in the wheelhouse which not only had a wheel and compass, but more modern instruments like radar and sonar.

Each person on the boat heard about the importance of knots and learned how to tie four different kinds.

After a lesson on the history of sailing below deck, we had time to just hang out and enjoy the breeze in our faces.

A hungry crew needs to be fed, so we found a place to eat before heading home.

Evidently, sailing is exhausting because the two boys who declared they would be Christian pirates, slept almost the entire trip home. JJ talked most of the way home, so I didn't lack for conversation.

Our field trip aboard the American Rover wasn't long in planning, but it provided us with a delightful day on the water and much to talk about afterwards. This was probably as close to being pirates as we're going to get, but that's okay; the boys are thinking about other ways to earn a living.