Location: Underway to the Caribbean
Hello world!!! Were smack dab in the middle of the Atlantic right now. I started my morning at 8 am for the 8-12 watch. All was well until we discovered a minor issue with the prop shaft, which we check hourly on our boat checks. Luckily, we now get to sail while Nick fixes the issue.
After we ate our lunch, it was all hands on deck. We have to raise every single sail we have, in hopes of catching the wind to bring us across the Atlantic. Then, we took a quiz in oceanography, which i aced of course, followed by a lecture on marine pollution, and a presentation by Sam in leadership class about change. While this was happening, it was about one million degrees in the salon, and we were all fanning ourselves with our notebooks and counting down the minutes until we could go up on deck or take a nap with our fans blasting.
In other news, three nights ago, during our last 8 pm-12 am watch, I finally got my helmsona: trailer park supervisor, Jim Lehelm (thank you, James, for the name idea, youre a genius). In case youve already forgotten, a helmsona is earned when you spend the entirety of your 4-hour watch on the helm. The conditions I helmed in consisted of all of our sails being up and the engine offsome true sailing! We ended up hooning at 8 knots for most of the night because Im a master sailor and a dawg like that. #getlivonthehelm. The first two hours were pretty restless, but the final two were smooth sailing as some conversations developed behind me that I got to listen in on. To my left, Charlie, Sam, Matthew (Tinkletoes), Teagan, and Rachel were discussing the socioeconomics and various other ethical questions. To my right, Emily, Chloe, Teo (Tinker Bell), and Hailey were playing games. At 12am, I quietly finished my helmsona and practically sprinted downstairs so I could go to bed.
As weve been making our way across the Atlantic, Ive had a lot of time to think about what life will be like after our trip (which is only in 22 days). Ive personally changed so much, and I know that others on Argo have too. Thatcher and I were talking recently about how nothing will feel the same when we get back home. Well miss the sway of the boat at night, the feeling of community we have here, and the convenience of always being able to go up on deck and talk to a friend if we ever need to. Argo really feels like home now, and I dont know how Ill ever be ready to leave for good.
To Mom, Dad, and Carter- I miss you guys! I love you all so, so, so much, and I hope youre doing well at home. I really hope that I can see all of you on Christmas this year, and I cant wait to call once we get to Dominica so I can tell you about all of my adventures from this passage. Give Bruno hugs and kisses for me!! Also, Mom, please call Garrett on the 23rd for me and tell him I said happy 20th birthday and that I love and miss him!