existing in the moment
January 8, 2025, 21:45 UTC | Existing In The Moment
What a spectacular day despite a lack of wind. Mia took some time with the crew earlier this afternoon to just sail slowly for a moment on a flat sea under a vast expanse of blue sky and sunshine. A plethora of wildlife delighted everyone, and whilst I was catching up on precious sleep, I was a little envious to have missed a moment undisturbed by notions of time and distance. It’s wonderful when you have the opportunity to simply exist in the moment.
We have shifted our course slightly west while still motoring to better place ourselves ahead of the wind filling in from the northeast. Hopefully, we can gain a little more apparent wind by then, sailing south and maintaining our angle as it continues to veer.
I was chatting with the crew earlier about routing software and how it sometimes takes the fun and challenge out of hatching a plan and seeing it come to fruition—or not, as is the case sometimes. It was suggested that technology could be used to validate rather than dictate. I’m on the fence with that one, with plenty of time ahead to overthink it.
Back to the velvet sky of stars as the night draws in…
/ Emily
EmilyCaruso
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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!