Location: North Atlantic
Well, here we are almost a week into our passage to the Azores, and every day still seems to be just as jam-packed as the day before it. My day, as it seems too often happens when I am skipper, started at midnight when watch team 2 met at midships to begin our star watch. I think it was the most beautiful night I had ever seen. Prior to setting sail on the Atlantic, I had never really had the opportunity to see the night sky free from light pollution, and to now be able to lay my head beneath the Milky Way in its full splendor it was life-changing. Those of us in Watch Team 2, myself along with Kayla, Sydney, Gigi, Abigal, Daniel, Sarah, and Calum, were also blessed with the most amazing bioluminescence we had ever seen. Every time Vela crested a swell, we were greeted with waves that literally glowed in the dark. The most breathtaking part, however, was the view from the stern. The line that the Milky Way traced along the night sky aligned perfectly with the prop wash from Velas stern (which in the middle of the night looks pretty similar to the Milky Way). We had a continuous line of stars in the sky and a Milky Way that bled into the ocean, and the twinkling stars of the plankton disturbed by the motion of the boat. To keep us well awake, Calum taught us how to play Contact, a super energetic word guessing game, and gave us an introductory lesson to the Zulu language.
After Watch Team 3 mercifully relieved us at 4:00 am, and we wearily trudged to our beds, Amanda, Heather, Chansky, Haley, Jack, Tia, Laura, and Annie played an intense game of boat tag with some squalls that pestered them for several hours. They were ultimately rewarded at the end when as the sun was just starting to rise, a particularly large squall snuck between them and the sun, and the morning rays painted the raindrops a beautiful pink. Amanda and Chansky must be cut from the same cloth when it comes to their sense of humor because both made the same joke: Ive heard about purple rain before but have you ever seen pink rain? at the same time on opposite sides of the boat. All in all, theres no better way to start the day than with a breathtaking view and a warm cup of tea.
Watch Team 1 had a bit more of an active morning than the rest of us. Carolynn led her squad of Max, Zoe, Dima, Mal, Sage, and Natalie in a killer boat workout. Afterward, they saw a bucket drift placidly by. Its heartbreaking to see garbage in the ocean, especially after being able to experience firsthand just how magnificent and beautiful it is, but the unexpectedness of the find is a little humorous. Otherwise, Watch Team 1 is four hours of comedy central with a good bit of karaoke mixed in.
While were underway, our regular day begins at 11:30 now instead of 7:00 am, which is a little disconcerting. It was nice to be awake and productive and social that early in the morning. It certainly was a refreshing change of pace from the college student schedule! That being said, it is great to be able to get almost 8 hours of sleep after burning the midnight oil on watch, and having a stellar sandwich bar waiting for you when you get up? Amazing. Lunch was then completed with a surprise from Amanda: popsicles! We were all THRILLED to be able to have something cold in our bodies after a week of perpetual heat and humidity.
The next chunk of our day after lunch was classes. Oceanography and Nautical science were both taught by Carolynn, and we learned about the theories behind continental drift and why our world looks the way it does today. We also learned how to plot our dead reckoning and our position using navigational charts. Speaking for everybody here, we cant wait to practice plotting Velas course as we plug along the Atlantic.
The end of class brought those of us not on watch a few precious minutes of downtime, which Mal, Zoe, Sage, Dima, and I spent playing Euchre. Chansky slaved away in the galley the entire time, whipping us up a phenomenal meal of maple Dijon chicken, with balsamic glazed broccoli and brussels sprouts, and pita bread. Then a surprise of apple crumble for dessert! He really rocked the boat with his food!
During dinner, we floated through an armada of Portuguese Man o wars while the ocean around us looked like glass. As much as they resembled bubble wrap with their little bodies sticking above the surface of the water, none of us wanted to jump in for a closer look, but it was another check crossed off my list of things I never expected to see but sure am glad I did.
We havent had much wind in a few days, so weve been perpetually motoring our way north, but the views that the stillness brought were very welcome. We cant wait to be fully under sail again, though. Tom ran the A/C for us overnight, which was a godsend, but during mealtimes out on deck or sitting out in the sun for watch, the sun can feel a little overbearing.
Finally, as our evening wrapped up, the crew manning the dishy pit saw our first green flash as the sun dipped below the horizon. Max and Annie were able to do the gauntlet of knots (bowline, round turn, and two half hitches, figure 8 stopper, clove hitch, and sheet bend) in under 30 seconds, so Calum taught them the *mysterious* dragon bowline knot. It sure sounds cool, so I may have some knot practice to keep me busy during my watch tonight.
Im super grateful for another amazing day out at sea, and I cant wait for tomorrows adventures. This is Duncan Goodman signing out as todays skipper.
Picture 1) Zoe, Dima, and Sage playing Euchre featuring my hand (cards and literal hand)
Picture 2)Oceanography class!
Back row, left to right: Annie, Jack
Front row: Kayla, Natalie, Tia
Picture 3) Duncan at the helm, steering a course of hard-to-starboard still turning port. (yesterday was hard to port still turning starboard.) Who let him drive this thing??