Down Island 3 at Glass Window

Last week was full of adventure at The Island School!   For three days, we were all off campus as we were either on Kayak or Down Island Trips.   Kayak One, for example,   now Down Island Two, back from paddling and gone again on the road with tents. It was great!   Our first stop was a blue hole on Reverend Nixon’s farm. We jumped off the 10-foot ledge into deep blue water.   Other highlights of the trip included a visit to Harbour Island, an island close to Eleuthera.   It was really interesting to see this tourist spot in comparison to our part of Eleuthera.   We walked around looking at the town then stopped at a restaurant called Angela Starfish for a nice dinner. The trip showed us all of Eleuthera (including caves!).

Renee smiles in the bat cave

Kayak Two arrived back to an empty campus Thursday night.   Exhausted and dirty after eight days out at sea, all we wanted was hot showers and bug-free beds.   We all caught up on rest and got ready for the long week of academics ahead. Saturday started the Academic 2 cycle.   We began it with a 6-mile Bahamian walkathon from Cotton Bay to Rock Sound that began at 6:30 a.m!   Sunday consisted of free time and Junkanoo practice.   We have to perfect our dance routine that we will be performing for Parents Weekend.   Everyone worked on their costumes, using their creative minds to make skirts and shoulder pieces.   Monday was a normal day of class, although we all enjoyed a treat for our special evening English class.   Everyone made yummy cookie dough and gorged while having a deep discussion about Omeros.

Kayakers land on Lighthouse beach

The highlight of the kayak trip was the solo experience.   We did the solos on the morning of the fifth day and packed only what we needed for our time alone.   We walked down the beach to our solo spots. Later in the day, the faculty delivered some supplies – a tarp, a bug net, and a bag of food.   Although solo activities was mostly being alone, sitting on the beach and watching the waves, we also built things with driftwood and invented things to do like going bowling with coconuts!   Faculty leaders came by twice a day to fill up our water bottles, but we didn’t talk.   There were beautiful days with lots of sun and beautiful sunrises and sunsets and also crazy thunder and lightning!   But we all have made it through now and everyone got back on campus Saturday night.   We will never forget our 48 hours alone on Lighthouse Beach!

Eric eats breakfast on the beach

In the Banyan tree

Eric: To the family, see you on Parents’ Weekend, Ill write soon

To Jason and Mark, stay in school, keep it clean.

Asa: Hi Mom, Eva, Bill and Cookie, Jenny and Rodolphe, Mormor and Bubben, Momomo, Gunnar, and the Oman Clan.

Lydia: Hey Mom, Dad and Em I miss you! Crissie, Nicki, Biz, Lauren, Danielle, Jaci, Molly, Lindsay, V, Vicki, Sam, Alan, Sean, Chris, Ag and Britt- I can’t wait to see you!

Skye: Hey Mom & Dad, Brie, Wade, O’Sh, Sarah, Kay, Lex, Beth, Code, Steve, Heather, Chris…and everyone else!   I’m great and Love and Miss you guys tons!