Latitude: 00°57.6’N
Longitude: 087°47.1’W
Monday, March 24
00°57.6’N 087°47.1’W
20:20 UTC / 15:20 Local time
Adventure at sea—what does that mean to me? TIME AWAY from the world and a chance to meet others who love sailing as I do. No news, no knowledge of anything but the nature around us, whether that be clouds, birds, dolphins, whales, lightning, swells to ride on, no wind to sweat in, and maybe a little swim.
What would your thought be as to water temperature in the South Pacific? As I got ready to dive in, I was prepared for a very cold adventure, but lo and behold, the water was warm—very nice and enjoyable.
We just witnessed a few dolphins entertaining us with their cool jumps. Since our attention was distracted, our stowaway blue-footed booby decided to take off and leave us with great pictures and a bit of poop to take care of later. It was fun to see it move from place to place over the last 20 hours, I am thinking to find the perfect takeoff spot.
As I see birds out here, I always wonder how they live so far from land. Then my thoughts go to the explorers of old and the Pilgrims that were brave to come out on the ocean to find a new world. It’s easy to look out and think one is just going to fall off at some point. I hope that I have found a time or two when I was that brave.
Life is good and I’m looking forward to the crossing the line ceremony as we cross the Equator. Since I am a veteran Shellback, what do these Pollywogs have in store? A special moment for all. Thankful to be here enjoying each day.
- Linda McDavid | FALKEN Crew
P.S. If you are reading this blog, please write some comments in the section below and we’ll send it over to the crew to read. I am sure they will love it :)
- Mia & Andy (shore support on Leg 5, Panama to Galapagos)
FALKENCrew
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HMS Night Watch Party
Wing on wing worked well until the wind shifted then the helm became the cone of despair for our night watch crew of three (H, M and S) Alex made the decision to drop the pole, shifting wing on wing to a close reach. Wind increased to low teens and speed picked up to a flying pace. Day spent wandering toward Ensenada. Alex, Adam and David got us into port under another starry night.
No Kitemares Today
After a night marked by sudden wind accelerations peeling off Point Conception, and a vibrant, pulsating sky blistered with shooting stars, the off-watch woke to commotion on the foredeck. The wind had gone light and the swell had tapered just enough to raise the spinnaker. The sail filled with an urgent pop, the sheet strained and Falken charged down the face of the next wave. By mid-day, we doused the spinnaker and set our minds to the more precise task of safely punching through a gap in the notorious Cortez Bank. The border to Mexico looms ahead.
The California coast
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. This morning brings winds in the teens and calmer seas. The sun is still shining, and the green monster has been slayed by those afflicted!