This week we had a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our first year of cruising. A mother on a group that we belong to asked for suggestions for a reluctant soon-to-be-cruising 7 year old. We mentioned it to Ru and asked if she would like to write a letter to this girl and she jumped at the chance.  Here’s what she said:

Hi

My name is Ruby. I am 8 years old and have been cruising for a year. I left from San Francisco a year ago today with my mom and dad and little brother. I heard that you might be a little worried about cruising and I want to let you know that it is really awesome. 

When I got to Mexico I made a really good friend named Kara (on Taking Fight) and then a little while later I met two boys named Shandro and Matero (on Kenta Anae). All along the way I have made friends, sometimes we only play for a few hours and sometimes I get to travel with them for a while. Sometimes I even get to have sleepovers or sail with them on their boat while my brother sails with my parents. The only bad part is that you have to say goodbye a lot, but I always know that I will make new friends and that I will remember my old friends. 

There are also a lot of great grownups out here and they talk to me and play with me. So even when there aren’t a lot of kids around I still have people to play with.

I have also seen so much cool stuff since I left. I see dolphins all the time and sometimes I see whales so close to the boat that I can almost touch them. I have seen waterfalls and rain forests, sea turtles, and islands that disappear when the tide comes up. My mom and dad even swam with giant manta rays, but I just watched from the dinghy. 

I’m also learning a lot of cool stuff. My dad lets me sail the boat sometimes and I am old enough now to stand watch and help with anchoring. My dad even lets me take the dinghy out by myself on calm days. I have learned a lot about money too. I can buy my own ice cream in dollars and peso, tala, pa’anga and francs. I can say hello in many languages too. 

If you want to ask me any questions you can send email to . All of the kids I have met seem to love cruising and I bet you will too.

-=Ruby