Location: Underway to Gibraltar
HELLO!
It’s finally here, my first day as skipper. Started off our beautiful day with a very generous wakeup time of 8:00 (courtesy of Amanda), and to everyone back home… It’s a real game-changer. Our typical 7:00 AM grogginess has been cut down significantly. However, today was a cold, sleepy morning, and I wanted to start off the day as skipper by doing something nice to give back to our lovely boat family. Everyone aboard takes such great care of each other, and I was very glad to do something that might improve their day because they do so much for me. From the beginning of the passage until now, I’ve noticed a fair amount of different quirks amongst our gang, but one thing remains constant and steadfast. People on Argo care a lot for each other.
Every day, I continue finding and seeing more and more genuine kindness in their words, thoughts, and actions. This semester wouldn’t be the same without their infectious laughter echoing down companionways and hatches, the bonding of being in a six-stacked bunk of all dudes, making jokes with our instructors and watch teams, our whole squad’s late-night study sessions, and so much more. I’m really happy to share a space with them. I’m so grateful to be around such a supportive and caring community, and I want to take this one moment before I carry on with the blog post to thank all their families, friends, and loved ones for helping and supporting all the wonderful human beings that makeup Argo. They are incredible.
But anyhowwwwww, for our resident sleepyheads, I went around and made coffee and tea to help them wake up in the morning. We kicked off the day strong with some spectacular zucchini bread from our birthday champ and awesome Marine Bio professor Anna, and then rolled right into passage prep for Gibraltar! I learned a lot about the engine room and chart house thanks to Rob and Callum. The team finished really quickly, and soon enough, we were on our way!
For our delectable lunch, we had tofu with rice noodles, lettuce, peanut sauce, peanuts, green onions, and some yummy other sauces. After lunch came the classes part of our day, and we had our IC (International Crew) exam. It was a joy to study and take the test. Watch team 2 took the reins on watch, and everyone either went to sleep or did homework. I did some homework and got to draw some sharks in my logbook and fill out all the information, which was sweettttttt. Always a great day when sharks are involved somehow. Shortly afterward, my day got So. Much. better.
Picture this: You’re on the helm as sunshine casts gentle and shimmering beams across the Mediterranean Sea, the wind is in your face, and you happen to be jamming out to some sea shanties with your close friends. As you look across the water, scanning for boats and crab pots, something emerges off the port side and catches your eye. Splashing and frolicking through the waves, you notice dolphins!!!
I was so excited. I’m also super happy I was able to identify them right off the first dorsal fin emerged. I love marine life, but most of all, I love marine mammals. I had an ear-to-ear grin plastered across my face the entire time. They swam around off our bow, playing in the waves. Many, many more different pods came by and jumped out of the water and just hung out by us, which was amazinga big day for me so much fun.
Dinner was veggie burgers and sweet potato fries that Anna and CO. cooked up for us; it was so yummy. Wish I could share all the meals with my vegetarian people back home; TAB got put to shame today. I watched Callum try to hit a pumpkin, which was funny. We celebrated Anna’s birthday with a cake and appreciation for her. My squeeze question was, “What is one simple pleasure you miss back home that you didn’t expect to and why?” My answer was my horde of pillows; I miss being cozy in a bed surrounded by numerous clouds of fluff.
Speaking of being cozy, I’ve got a 3:30 AM wakeup call for watch waiting for me, so I’m going to end it here and sign off.
I love and miss everyone back home so much.
Final shoutouts:
To the Chase-meister: I hope sophomore year and golf are being crushed. You’re a lot stronger than you realize, little man, and I’m proud of you.
To my sisters and all their assorted critters: I miss you all, and please give them all pets. Dilly Bean, Tugboat, Roley, and Rex are dearly missed.
To my mom, dad, all my chickens and ducks, and dog: I can’t wait to see you guys soon enough. I hope y’all are alright and safe and healthy.
To Greta: I miss you big time, and give Squish a solid pat on the head for me, please.
To all my COA folks: climb some trees, laugh really hard, make really terrible puns, and stay up wayyyy too late for me.
I’ll be back, but first, I have an ocean to cross.
Sincerely,
Gordon M.