Land Ho! Dead ahead!

Amaris sails the world

14.13.11 N

60.30.47 W

 

Atlantic Ocean - 21 miles fom St Lucia

 

Land Ho!  Dead ahead.

 

What a plesant view to wake up to.  In the distance St Lucia with the twin Pitons (Large volcanic mountains) and off the starboard quarter - Martinique.  Hard to believe these two islands were the grounds of many a battle between the navies of France and England.  Very appropo that I read 5 of the Horatio Hornbower books on the way here.

 

As per the rally requirements, we need to sail across the finish line.  Not that this is a big deal- we just sailed 2100 miles - but we haven't raised or lowered a sail in 3 days.  The spinnaker has been working like a champ with her newest patch job.  The finish line is however upwind.  To finish our last two miles we will need to take down and stow the spinnaker and raise the main.  All for a "finishing photograph."   I supposed I shouldn't mind as we are finishing during the light of day.  (but they had still better take the photo!

 

Twenty miles away - a hamburger, a rum drink, a steel drum band, and a diner without dishes.  Oh, and no watch tonight. 

350 Miles from St Lucia

Amaris Sails the Globe

12/2/13

14.40.34N

56.29.85 W

Atlantic Ocean - 350 Miles from St Lucia

We are on the downhill leg of our crossing.  Well, Archimedes would disagree saying that the Earth is round - but you get the drift.

Hard to believe the long legs we have sailed to get here.  700 miles from Gibraltar to the Canary Islands, 850 miles from the Canaries to Cape Verde (of which we sailed all 1150 miles), and now this final leg 2100 miles to St Lucia.  Ugh.  We need a Pina Colada, a shade tree, and A CHEESEBURGER!

The weather has been anything but supportive of this last leg.  Today we sailed through a low pressure cell.  Winds continue to be light, but our Spinnaker - which we set two days ago - keeps us charging towards our goal.  Shawn and I enjoyed a cup of coffee on the front of the boat this afternoon.  It felt like sailing in Seattle as we sat in the rain listening to the rain bounce off the spinnaker.  Well, I suppose it was also 85 degrees which it apparently is not today in Seattle - where rumors indicate that it is forecast to snow for the Seahawks game...  I guess I won't complain about all the muggy tropical conditions we are suffering in.

We started a "predicted arrival pool" when we left.  About 1/2 the people are now out of the pool as our crossing has taken so long.  That said - I had the bright idea of predicting a late arrival.  I thought that if we did get in very late - at least I would win the pool, which would be a nice silver lining to the slow crossing.  My predicted time - 12/4 at 4am.  Fingers crossed we get in by then!  Winner gets a drink from everyone on the boat!  Sadly Shawn predicted the first time - which has long ago passed - so he has to buy EVERYONE a drink when we get there.  Optimist... 

The last 24 hours have improved.

Amaris sails the World

15.24.25 N

51.55.46W

 

Atlantic Ocean - 550 miles ENE of St Lucia

 

The last 24 hours have improved.  Now when someone passes gas-the smell actually blows away! 

 

Yesterday we had all reached rock bottom, hung our heads in shame, and started our motor.  We realized things could only improve - the concern was how long would it take for us to get wind.  Turns out - last night at 1825 we turned off the motor for a nice "quiet" dinner and to watch the sunset.  The winds and boat built speed over the next few hours and we were able to get some miles in motor free!  In fact - today at 1600 (4pm) we swapped out the main and code zero for our spinnaker - the sail we hope to have take us the rest of the way to St Lucia.  Imagine that spinnaker set - Ron Popiel "set it and forget it" would love it.  Fingers crossed the winds hold out for the rest of our journey.

 

Shawn has moved on from "How I Met your Mother" to the Showtime series "Dexter."  Where it was odd watching him laugh all day while staring into his laptop - now he holds a look of horror through each 52 minute episode.  Sadly, I somehow was dragged into it as well.  I suppose there are only what 6-7 seasons with a dozen episodes per season.  So, 60 hours?  If the wind doesn't stay around we may be done before we get to St Lucia!

 

Of course, to give further reason to pray for wind - I have beans soaking for tomorrow's dinner...

I Give Up. I Quit.

Amaris sails the world

15.49.12N

47.49.74W

Atlantic Ocean

 

I give up. I quit. I ask for a refund.  THERE IS NO WIND!

 

It is day 10 and still no wind.  Where are these famous trade winds.  We just had e-mail contact with our friends on "Joy of Shamrock Quay" who started their motor 30 hours ago - and were able to stop to sail for 3...  before taking a dip in the water and restarting their motor.

 

In previous days, I was calculating potential wind angles and selecting sails based on predicted winds.  Now I have started calculating how far we will get with our limited amount of fuel - the answer...  about 40% of the way.  I figure we can run our engine for about two days straight.  Fingers crossed wind will fill in between now and then.

 

And for sour grapes..  we don't have any.  I did peal the hard skin off one of our last oranges an took a bite of the fermented fruit.  It went overboard.  Tomorrow we start with the canned fruit.  I suppose I can look forward to the one gratuitous little cherry in each can!

 

700 miles to go.  One box of gluten free crackers and 4 tins of sardines. 

 

COME ON WIND!!! PLEASE!

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Becalmed - The Reprise

Amaris Sails the World

16. 13. 60 N

46.17.93W

Atlantic Ocean

 

Becalmed - the reprise

 

After a day of bobbing in the Atlantic - we had a nice bit of breeze late yesterday that took us into the night.  It stopped.  And again we are bobbing.  We actually have started aiming for the squalls as we know there is a little bit of wind in them (caused by the cooling of air from the descending rain). 

 

On a bright note - we were able to throw all caution to the wind (or lack there of) and jump off the boat into the refreshing bath water of the Atlantic.  The water was perfect!  And no one was eaten by a shark.

 

Apparently, the crew has become restless and has started a mustache growing contest.  It isn't pretty...

 

Thankfully, today is Thanksgiving (excuse the pun).  So we at least have dinner to look forward to.  Well, sort of.  We have been holding out all day for the elusive Dorado to strike at one of our two fishing lines.  So far - no luck.  Our back up plan is stuffed chicken breasts (we couldn't fit a turkey in our freezer), sliced potatoes, and carrots.  Shawn typically likes black olives for turkey day (yes, one for each finger) however we neglected to buy olives.  Hopefully, pickles will do in a crunch.  I am just excited to have one last meal with real produce as we officially move to canned and dried goods tomorrow.

 

Of course Shawn and I have our Thanksgiving tradition of watching "Home for the Holidays."  This tradition will of course continue as we show the film today/early evening for all the crew to enjoy, hopefully with a belly full of fish.

 

Happy Thanksgiving all!