After two months spent visiting three schools (5 classrooms) in our area every other week, Mark and I knew the students and teachers and were excited to finally bring our crew aboard to complete the journey together. Our first weekend aboard was unseasonably hot and, as it turned out, marked the beginning of three wildfires that struck just a few miles away as we sailed up the shore. The winds were always in our favor so other than some billowing plumes seen from the water, we enjoyed blue skies and crisp northeast winds most of the first week. Along the way we provided field trips, games, and boat tours for five different schools, focusing on climate change, aquatic invasive species, and plastic pollution. I continue to rave about 5th and 6th graders; they are enthusiastic and smart. 
They ask good questions and can concentrate for decent periods of time. what they care about shows on their faces. Most of them heartily engaged with us and ended up signing the "Clean, Cold, and Clear" Challenge that we issue up at the end of the field trip, inviting them to join the club of young people around the lake who are committed to taking personal steps to preserve it.
We also took a week to enjoy Isle Royale, a long watery travel day away from Grand Marais. The onslaught of northeast winds that kept the smoke away from us also ensured that we would be fighting to gain every mile north along the coast. The crew--Delaney Miller and Anna Rayhorn from Michigan, Anders Prater from Wisconsin, and Joy Autio from Minnesota--never balked at the rough waters but took the wheel on regular watches and trimmed the sails countless times, including one day of sailing in northwest winds that topped out at 30 knots and another day/night of rough motoring into major swells and a snow shower.
This crew was deeply committed to our mission, and they lived it out in individual ways. Joy created her own groundwater lesson to accompany her activity with the microscope, and on Isle Royale peppered local geologists with questions and studying books to learn more. Delaney plunged into her passion--soils--and created a presentation for the kids. Anders had games ready for kids and adults alike and was a constant example in living a simple life that melds gently with earthly resources. Anna was good at everything and up for anything--and her artistic talents came into play during evening games (see picture). "Deeply human” activities (activities that have been done by humans for thousands of years) were encouraged and appreciated throughout, like hosting dinners with friends, relatives, fellow sailors, and interns from other places, as well as other interested and interesting people.
The crew really make the trip, and Mark and I found ourselves enjoying the process immensely as it rested on six sets of shoulders. I will not soon forget the laughter, the music, and the seemingly limitless ability of the pee jar to evoke jokes. If our crew is any indication, young people are poised to move ahead of us old folks in holding themselves to high ecological standards and learning and re-learning how to be in relationship with one another. Life is just one blessing after another.