A cold start, a leaking coolant hose, Christmas lights on a battleship, and our first miles on the ICW

Cruising isn’t just the pretty Instagram moments. As we make our way south, we’re realizing this journey is equal parts beautiful and chaotic. Early mornings, tight spaces, schoolwork battles, brother scuffles, and plenty of growing pains. It’s not always easy, but it’s honest, and it’s slowly shaping us into a stronger, more connected little crew.

The boys have been doing an amazing job writing posts, but keeping up in real time is no small task. So I’m hopping in with a quick catch-up—both for everyone following along and for our own memory bank. From the bumpy, “nuucking windy” run to Cape May to our sweet stretch in Annapolis and a whirlwind trip to DC, here’s a little look at what life has been like since we pulled away from NYC and kept heading south.

Come experience life on Nanook through the eyes of our resident 8-year-old explorer! In this video, Theo takes you on a full tour of our 50’ Ocean Alexander trawler. The boat that will be our home all the way from Newport to the Bahamas.

In this post, Theo shares the excitement of leaving Manhattan by boat on marathon day, spotting ferries, dolphins, and even the Statue of Liberty along the way. It was a calm, beautiful start to the journey… until the next morning’s rough seas!

Join Ben for an exciting day and night on Halloween in NYC

A chilly morning turned into the best day ever. Comics, ramen, and NYC adventures! So glad I listened to that little tingle that said, “stay awake, something fun is coming!”

Next up: Theo’s Take on Mystic!

After arriving safely in Mystic, we spent a couple of days exploring the Seaport, checking out old ships, and learning what life was like in the 1800s. Theo’s going to share all the fun details. From climbing aboard historic vessels to watching the blacksmith at work. Stay tuned for his post about our time at Mystic Seaport!

The day has come! Our lists have been checked, our tanks are filled and we are on our way south!