I finally met them! Who, you ask? The Samway family!

You may remember a few months ago I introduced them on my blog as the family who spent the winter exploring the Bahamas on their Krogen 48′ North Sea, Muddy Waters. They are also the family who have moved aboard and are taking the year to complete the Great Loop. It was so interesting meeting a family who are making a lifelong dream come true at an age a little under our typical demographic. But they contest it’s all in the planning. For ten years, they saved money and made plans to take a year to move aboard a boat and travel with their kids.

Great Loop map hung aboard Muddy Waters.

Larry and I made our way over to the Annapolis Yacht Basin mid-morning once Michael and Jennifer were back from their six mile paddleboarding expedition. Not a bad way to start the morning, eh? We were initially greeted by Michael, Keenan – 13 and Daria – 11. We briefly chatted about Annapolis and all the extended family that was around town. Turns out Jennifer grew up in nearby Loch Raven and still had family around the area. Not only that, but Michael’s parents and aunt flew to Annapolis from Miami for the few days Muddy Waters was in town. This was the third trip to a different port the grandparents have taken since the Samways iembarked on their adventure.

I was impressed with how accustomed Daria and Keenan were with not only the boat, but with their new lifestyle. Since being on the boat, Keenan has been able to work on his photography skills as well as teach himself the bass guitar so he can jam out as Michael plays his acoustic guitar. And, because of this experience, he is now very interested in naval architecture. Daria likes to paint and is an exceptional jewelry-maker. (Seriously, a boutique in Annapolis was purchasing some of her bracelets – and I was given one from the kindness of her heart.) She is also a talented ballet dancer, so the Samways have made sure to find classes in new cities along their way that allow her to drop-in for classes.

Jennifer, Daria, Michael and Keenan Samway posing in their saloon. If only BlackBerries could take better pictures.

But don’t worry, the kids are still learning. As she whipped up a delicious, fresh meal in the galley, Jennifer told me that when they’re able to get internet service the kids work on math and science. Without internet, they have books to read. And history? Well they allow history to come to life by making stops in places like Charleston, South Carolina to visit the Yorktown as well as Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.

Larry and I left their boat feeling quite envious. What an incredible experience. But don’t just take it from me. Follow their blog at www.samwayadventure.com.