Today was such a fun day. You have all become an integral part of our journey. We sat together in the cockpit and read all of the comments out loud. (Liz did the reading, she is delightfully expressive.) After each comment, someone would say “who is that” and then we would hear a story or two about you. We would reflect on each comment and the reader’s perspective. Are they a worrier? Are they funny? Is this a typical comment? Much laughter ensued and it brought us all closer. A personal comment would bring a slight mist to the eye of the recipient, while we all quietly reflected and waited. You can imagine the pregnant pause as we reflected on the notion of each one of our names being mentioned in prayer at our church. We are so moved by your spirit of love and care.
I forgot to mention that last night Cam really nailed the steering. It was hard to keep the boat on course, but a groove existed and if you were very adroit at the wheel movements you could reduce rudder-induced drag and just let the boat fly down the waves.The feeling when that happens is similar to the first time you catch a good wave as a kid on a boogie board and just feel that lift. He grinned the whole watch.
Also, my generous and always fun son Matt spotted me for half of the hand steering of my 8:00am-noon solo watch. Thanks Matty J, I owe you.
After my post today about singing in the cockpit the weather got very squally and all watches were in full “foulies”. Matt took advantage of the “free shower’, of course. His happy engagement with the world is contagious. Every one of us is very happy in our foul weather gear. There is no bad weather, just bad gear. The much anticipated wind shift from SW to NE happened almost exactly as predicted by Bill and the good folks at Commander’s Weather, so we jibed at about 6:30 and finally got on port tack. Except for a brief stint in the shipping lanes, we had not been on port tack since we sailed past Castle Hill and waved to our loved ones. You all know what happened next: all of the doodads which were happily resting on the downhill side of the boat now got promoted to the uphill side of the boat, where they could resume projectiling at us, their most favorite game. Luckily we are a savvy crew and, mostly, stow in anticipation of this.
The wind, which was to have come from the N or NE, is now coming from the ENE, which is kind of where we are trying to go. Oh my gosh, nature is in on this. I promise, exactly as I typed the last line, the bow lifted and crashed into a wave, with an abrupt THUD that probably awoke anyone ahead of the mast. More zigging. Oh well, we have had five wondrous and spectacular days of 20-35 knot winds abaft of the beam, and they cannot take that away.
I have to go suit up for the 11:00pm-2:00am watch. I relish the opportunity. Sleep well, we love you.
St. Martin -> Newport 
WHAT AN ADVENTURE….PEOPLE MAKE MOVIES ABOUT THIS, AND YOU ARE THERE. A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES…. BEST OF LUCK. LOVE MARILYN INFANTE
LikeLiked by 2 people
Michael
I just read your post. I had commented to Marianne about ten minutes before, that I had pulled your lat lon numbers and looked at weather on my weather maps of the Atlantic. I told her of the wet weather in your very near area.
I know as you sail through the wind and surf, the weather will not surprise you with the GPS, weather data and sat data. As when I fly IFR solo , the situational awareness is very reassuring and calming.
Marianne and I read your post out loud to each other , then we have a discussion on what certain words mean and we look up your progress on the maps and watch weather too.
Love and prayers to you and the crew
Dan
LikeLike
Our prayers are with you and our love. Sounds like you have a busy night ahead. ❤️” A calm sea never made a skilled sailor.” ⛵️
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do think a party of some sort when you return is in order. I would be honored to meet the real people in the stories. Knowing 25% of the crew is good, but I think the rest of you must be somewhat likeminded or you wouldn’t be subjecting yourselves to the blasted weather. We can host on Cape Cod if that makes sense for all. Good Night, God be with you. Liz & Cam, you missed an amazing finale of Thrones. 🙂 guess you’ll have to wait. xo
LikeLike
I never would have imagined that I could get a true feel for what it’s like to be on a boat with 7 others crossing the Atlantic, as much as I have come to through your and your crews’ fun, spirited and touching posts, … all continue to be so expressive. I really do feel like I’m there. And the pics are great too! Thank you, thank you, thank you … and will look forward to the next ones and more pics as you’re able.
I’m imagining the cockpit group readings …your inquiries as to whether the person may be funny, a worrier, maybe even if they may like to sing or dance themselves. And yes, I know what my thoughtful and loving son, (whom I love from the bottom of my heart and with all my being) would have said. (… yes, I tend to worry a teeny bit more than most.) … I’m allowed … I’m a mother 😉
Know that I know you’re all in great company. all astute and great sailors. and from these posts and the tighter bonding going on, I appreciate the extended family that I now have with all of you! I REALLY need that home addition sooner vs later! Lol
Continued love and care going your way!
You’re all always in my thoughts and in my heart! XoXo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Suzette, for your heartfelt comments. You so beautifully express another mother’s thoughts. That Moondance bond envelopes crew and family on shore! Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post again! Glad these amateurish comments bring some amusement 😉 Sorry for the wind shift, I guess some beating was inevitable, hope it’s short lived. (Guess the crew now has to watch out for starboard tacklers too!)
Tracker still has your heading due East, true? Has the breeze backed a bit?
What’s your wind speed, boat water speed now?
Supplies holding out well I’m sure, keeping Jackie Busy?
Any observations of items you wish you did/didn’t bring.
Must be a continual comfort having Bill watch over the operation.
Nice work Cam.
Did the GoPro work out? Is there bandwidth to post any videos?
Happy sailing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lost our SW breeze, wind trying to clock north but sputtering, light and variable. Motorsailing due east at about 7 knots with just the main, waiting for the northerlies to fill in. Seas very lumpy but a flat boat is a welcome relief for all. Feeling very good about food supplies. Have some rehydration powder called RecoverORS that is very popular, wish we had packed more. We also have coconut water which is great. We each drink .75-1 gallon of water per day but on sunny windy days it seems hard to stay hydrated.Thanks questions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! ‘Rehydration Powder’ – sounds like an oxymoron; or:
“New, from General Foods: HydroPo – Instant Water (just add water)”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Although we are not sailors and can’t quite get all you discuss , we certainly appreciate the adventure you all are having and are thrilled for Uncle Dana. The phosphorous dolphin sighting sounds awesome ! Enjoy the rest of the trip and stay safe.
Elimelech Julia and Ira
LikeLike
hi Julia and Elimelech – thanks for following us. In addition to many dolphins, we have seen flying fish, many different seabirds, and even an octopus! We expect to see more marine life when approach the Azores – the waters around the islands are a marine sanctuary and known to have large whale populations, including the Sperm Whale. See you soon!
LikeLike
hi again Julia and Elimelech – that was Dana’s reply -Dana
LikeLike
You and Bill certainly nailed a magic weather window. You may well appreciate the lighter winds over the next day or two…Matts natural “spa” brought memories back of doing the same. In a dead calm we have even stopped the boat and and swam in the 20000 ft water. Never all at once of course. SCARY for no real reason. My Global Fix Pro Epirb is sitting in front of me with an 07/15 battery exp. date awaiting replacement. An indicator of how boat life and time passes and how the memories fade a little with the batteries but the experiences and friendships remain and grow. Thanks for all ( the crew) your sharing. Expect it in return 😊 (smiley)
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the best summer reading ever! Rick and I so enjoy tracking your progress and reading the posts (and comments). Continued prayers for safe passage and boundless joy for all.
LikeLike
I am LOVING your blog!!!! It makes me feel like I’m right there with you!!! Sounds like you’re all having a blast!!!! Keep the posts coming!!!! Love you ALL, stay safe and ENJOY every moment! Can’t wait to read more! ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice job with the blog! Cam and Liz, you guys missed a great episode of GoT. Thought about texting you guys about it, but remembered that HBO probably doesn’t broadcast out in the middle of the Atlantic… Hope you all find your way to the Azores safe and sound.
PS the Felt Felines lost game two 6-7. We’re seriously lacking relief pitchers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad to see that you are wearing hats and hear that you having such a great time. I would have loved to hear Liz give a “TED talk,” so you might have to give another one when you’re back. Now that I know Cam’s steering was so on point last night, he is going to have to steer the knock around the bay all summer! The weather was great on the cape this weekend…we missed you out there on the water. Keep on having fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz your Uncle Mark, who got a bit nervous on the ferry to Nantucket in the small window where you see no land only water, reads this blog everyday in amazement! He knows you are an awesome sailor and he will say it looks like she is having the time of her life…or I will hear, did you see the picture of the moondance leaning through the water, I know that is what it is suppose to do but that would make me scream like a girl! Your Uncle enjoys boogie boarding on big waves in maui, very big waves but he likes them to be close to the shore. Of course he prays for you daily, and for Cam and the crew as do I. As for Game of Thrones it can be taped and you can binge watch the remainder of the series! Right now you and the crew and this blog are true entertainment! Safe travels baby girl and when you look at those stars in the heavens know God loves you as do we!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We look forward to grabbing a cup of coffee and checking in each morning (not sure without Starbucks I could make such a voyage 😃) and your stories fill our day with smiles. Your updates are so expressive we can visualize as if we are there with you all. I am sure the rough seas will make Jackie’s fresh baked bread hard to rise but pita bread will do just fine! Stay safe and keep the posts coming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I doubt Jackie is making many soufflés on this voyage, but I know everyone is enjoying her Culinary skills. Way to go, I am proud of all of you for your adventurous spirits. Jimmy and I read your blog every night just before bed and track your progress. Wish we could meet you on shore in Spain!
LikeLike