My internal alarm woke me up at 6 am to swap with Brian. Just as I was hitting the head before coming on deck, he called me: dolphins!! It was still pitch black but waves were throwing specks of glowing plankton. Dancing, swimming, zigzagging around the bow were three dolphins. The only clues to their whereabouts were the trails of glow they left in their wake and their powerful gasps every so often at the surface. During their rigorous swim with the boat, a pattern seemed erratic but we could follow their trail for 10 metres away from the boat. What a sight for us, imagine the space travel-like view they must be getting!!
Keeping the decks cool with sea water splashes in the heat of the day and jamming to Bob M and Bob D was interrupted with a nap in the shade. I have hit my big head many times (falling mangos, bonked on winches, smashing on Brian’s bike hung from the ceiling…). Good thing I have hair for padding and a hard skull!
We’re putting buoys in the dingy as a back up to the life raft in an emergency situation, so that we can have the entire flotilla in case this steel bubble bursts. I’m also learning how to plot our position on charts and track our course.
After a rigorous work day of projects, it was dance party time! This dance floor sways so my usual moves have to be toned down and stabilized. I can hardly keep myself upright when dancing on land, let alone at sea…(Lorena and Scotty, you were missed!!). Feeling like we were in a music video, on a sailboat with a big blue backdrop (“Everybody look at me cuz I’m sailing on a boat!!”), brought out confidence and attitude. Funk was spun by the DJ, featuring Tower of Power. We had 2 Pacificos leftover from our launch night and we lived out the ‘Latitudes and Attitudes’ lifestyle. We were very goofy but smiling the whole time, jiving and enjoying the tunes.
Flying fish began their dance across the water, one or two graze our world of atmosphere for 15-20 metres, shining their scales in exuberant elation. These creatures have either discovered why dolphins are always smiling, playing with the wind and rebelling against their supposed fate, or they have adapted an amazing defense mechanism, leaving the realm of danger for some moments, removing themselves from confrontation of the food chain. When whole schools of these swimmers exodus from the water and become a flock, we assume a chase is in progress below the line of our vision. The fastest swimmer and highest flyer avoids being dinner. They do not, however, remain safe from the steel vessel they may accidentally land upon. Without a launching wave to propel from, these suicide fish flop around on deck and suffocate, to be dried and fried by the relentless sun.
The artistry of sunset began and we retired our dancing soles to enjoy the show. Run and limonade kept the vibe alive and we shared stories and thoughts. Neither of us have seen the green flash that is supposed to happen right after the sun descends from view, and I’m not sure that it exists. Sore staring eyes missed it tonight as the sun sank behind a dark cloud, and when it was between cloud and sea, I was more enamoured with the deep purple hue of the star to see any green. Residual colour hung in the clouds and the gulls that have been cruising alongside is played in the wind. “Heaven’s gonna burn your eyes” is ambient and nostalgic, creating a sunset soundtrack. Absorbing the elements, my surroundings and connecting them, uniting my present to my past was a pensive and complete, a brief meditation.
After dinner my watch began. Steady winds picked up and jostled the bat around, changing our course more north westerly and inconsistently. The stars shone brighter and a thin crescent moon offered familiar lights. When Brian took over, reluctant to leave his slumber, lines were echoing in the mast waves pushed the boat to and fro, and images of what may be happening on deck forbid a quick escape to sleep. A 3am awakening proved Brian to be alert and secure in his harness, my sleepy mumbles incoherent yet meaning to reassure.
@ 4:30pm
16° 48’ N
106° 45 ½’ W
Traveled 82 nautical miles
~ 2 – 3 knots / hour
Breakfast: toast with avo and tomato
Lunch: Quesedillas, limonade
Dinner: Fajitas
Green in the Blue 