Location: Horta
Early this morning, Watch Team Three was treated with a sight we have long since missed land at last, framed by the rising sun of a brand new day! By the time the majority of the students made it on deck, Argo was pulling into port alongside the beautiful red-tiled buildings of Horta. It was definitely a sight for sore eyes after 17 days of passage.
The primary goal of the day was putting the boat to bed for our time in port. That means putting sail covers on, taking the halyards off, taking inventory, and cleaning every single accessible inch of our beautiful Argo. There was quite a bit to do in order to accomplish that, so we split up into groups Alex and Alex dealt with the trash in the anchor locker (which, to everyone’s surprise, had a shocking lack of maggots); Payton, Lana, and Lanie assisted Zach with the ever-dreaded task of cleaning the heads; the salon crew of Maya, Henry, Ella, and Sadie cleaned and organized our daily living space while Lizzy, Brady, Mina, and Emma tackled the galley. The remainder was split between the deck and the cabins themselves.
I was fortunate enough to be one of the first onshore, as I had an errand to run alongside Nick and Meg. While I spent very little time exploring beyond simply moving from task to task, the city is an absolute gem. With lovely white buildings and red tile roofs reflecting the evening sun, it promises to be a delight to explore tomorrow.
After my return to Argo, we got notice that we secured a space at the dock for our stay. With a potential shift in the wind incoming overnight, this was a huge win. The dock itself is high, but the walkways and Marinas are lined with murals of other ships that have stopped in the Azores on their way across the Atlantic.
The energy on board is a delicate balance of nervous and excited. With the first round of NavMaster Exams, the promise of shore tomorrow, and time to call our loved ones, it’s sure to be a very interesting evening.
To my wonderful family: I love you all. Give my critters a squeeze, and I can’t wait to talk to you soon!