We made pleasant progress, although not entirely in the right direction. We have been heading South to avoid a storm ahead of us. We thought that the storm was breaking up and by the time we got there, it would be all over. Well, no such luck. When I was downloading weather faxes, I noticed a low-pressure area moving down from Labrador and headed to join up the the low that is stationary over the Azores. Sure enough, when we got the forecast from Herb this evening, he told us that we would have to get South of 33 degrees North to avoid the nastiness. We had hoped that the Azores storm would dissipate before we really needed to get that far South, but with the Labrador low joining it, it won't break up. So our new tactic is to get down to 33 North in the next day and then run down 33 until 1) it is clear that we are going to have to stay south to keep from getting hammered, or 2) or we start fudging to the North and follow the outer winds of the storm counter clockwise around right into the Azores. The storm may provide us with a handy way to get to the Azores at the end. Normally, they are in the middle of a high pressure zone with light winds and so you need to save enough fuel to motor into the islands at the end. But if we skirt around the outside of the storm, we might just be able to sail right in with a full head of steam.
Otherwise, things are nice. We are doing little pesky projects that we always meant to get around to. Andi just dusted some window ledges. The boat is in about the best shape it's ever been in. We are very happy with the boat. She's making good progress with an amazing lack of effort. I mean, sailboats aren't fast. This trip is like riding a bike across the US 24 hours a day - same distance and same speed. Later today will be the half-way point.
Of course, we only measure miles directly towards our destination. Miles zigging and zagging to miss storms don't count and there are quit a few of those. I guess we've lost at least a day and a half that way.
We saw 2 ships today - they came within a few miles of us - so there are still other humans out there! Well, I'll let Andi write a few lines now.....
Hi to you all,
Wow! Am I learning more about sailing! I just love when I'm on watch and I get to set the sails & or alter the course myself. It's different than sailing coastal where you have to stay the course. Here you have a little more freedom to pick the best angle for the wind & where you want to go. Now however where we want to go is around weather & edge our way to the Azores. I'm cooking up yummy stuff from recipes I've collected all my life with some new ones from our travels. Also learning new songs (that's my favorite pastime).The ocean & sky are huge! So I'm also taking pics. Can never get it all! Swam in the middle of the ultramarine blue Atlantic, saw some dolphins twice, looking for whales. We'll keep you posted.
Love & many thoughts with my family, past & present. More to come!
From, Andi, Andrea, Mom, Sis, Auntie Andi, La Canela
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