0210 10º 00.88’S 126º 28.29’W
Sailing
Last night on my 3-6AM watch I saw two shooting stars. The sky has been clear and there isn't much of a moon so the stars have been incredible. I think my favorite part of being out here is the night sailing and the night sky. The pleasant evening temperatures make night sailing even more enjoyable.
We saw our second boat of the entire trip last night, a cat. She left Galapagos the same day we did so she should be days ahead of us. How embarrassing for her. But as we all know the definition of a sailboat race is two boats on the water... 😊
Our skipper Alex was ready to put up the spinnaker this morning. I think we were all excited for a new challenge. We have been sailing wing on wing (donkey ears according to Alex) for days, using the Yankee headsail attached to the spinnaker pole. With everyone on deck Alex directed us and up she went... A HUGE beautiful pink symmetrical spinnaker. It was our watch so each of the three of us had a turn at the helm. With the 2 meters swells and gusts it was fun and challenging. I must admit I was happy Alex hung around to coach us. After a couple of hours we took her down... deciding the swells and gusts were a bit much. A very different experience from flying spinnaker on the small Columbia River boats at home. We will put her up again tomorrow.
I have to say Alex, Mia and Zoe have been wonderful! Positive, calm, great at explaining concepts... and patient!
It is also fun to see how a group of people that started out not knowing each other have settled into a comfortable routine. The good natured joking, the laughter... you would think we have know each other for years.
We are celebrating three digits this evening. A party celebrating the fact we have less than 1000 miles to go. We are supposed to dress up! Who brings fancy clothes on a Sailboat? We alse get a shower. Normally showers are Tuesdays and Fridays but today is Saturday so we get 2 shower days in a row! It is funny how simple pleasures feel like luxuries and are really appreciated.
In the background I hear people taking about the first thing they are going to have when they get off the boat, or when they get home. Many of the wants are centered around a cold beverage with ice, salads, fresh produce... a favorite meal... again simple pleasures.
Not that anyone is ready... Yet... for our adventure to end.
Beven P.
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The gobbledygook of sailors
We sailors can come across as a cryptic bunch. Similar to almost all niche endeavors, it boils down to efficiency, safety and tradition. There are so many "ropes" and so much gear on a sailboat, that trying to identify them by descriptive terms just wouldn’t cut it. We’re in one of the best learning environments available to offshore sailors, and mistakes are a part of the process.
Dive on in
Life aboard Adrienne is hot and sticky. It was hilarious how fast we all started moving once we heard we might go for a swim in the ocean. With our captain’s blessing, we started jumping in, hooting and hollering, grinning like children on a carnival ride. It was simple and delightful and also mind-boggling to be bobbing and washing in the great ocean under a clear sky with nothing around but our floating home and each other. But the deeper cleaning of this ocean plunge will certainly linger for days.
Death on the high seas
I’m not going to lie - I really miss my dog. As we’re just now approaching Cap Verde (two thirds of the way) I can’t help but think of all the wonderful things that happen on a trip like this; strangers become friends, terror turns into confidence, and ignorance into knowledge. It’s not for everyone. But if you do decide to cross some of most isolated spaces on the planet in a small boat, you’re definitely in for a mighty interesting ride. And next time I’ll bring my dog with me. 😊