We checked into the net this morning. It seems we've taken a definitive lead. We are all at similar latitudes now, so it's easier to compare. We are both furthest west and furthest south. We are at about 6 1/2 latitude south and understand that the trades will be down near 7 by later today. So we are keeping a slightly southward course as we go. We are basically following the "rum line" at this point. That's apparently a nautical term for beeline or straight line. I'm not sure how rum and straight line came to be synonyms.
Overall though, we are keeping around 7-8 knots right now, which is a 200-mile day. Hoping to keep up this pace. Seas are pretty flat, but every now and again we get a wave that looks like nothing and really rocks us. It is strange how it all happens. But in general it seems to be smoothing out some.
We have heard rumors of stronger winds coming in the next few days, so should probably enjoy the calmer seas while we can. There was one boat that checked in this morning, a 52 foot mono-hull which is going straight from Panama to the Marquesas. They've been out for 31 days and are about even with us!! They are up at 5 1/2 latitude and heard about strong counter-currents down here and some boat came down, then went back up due to the currents, so are staying further north. Problem is, there's not much wind up there!! I can only say, I'm not jealous. I believe we'll be passing them today.
We haven't been seeing a lot of wildlife like dolphins, whale sharks, orcas, etc. We have been seeing a lot of flying fish. Yesterday and again this morning we had a few that had landed on the trampolines overnight. I don't know if they come through the ropes holding up the trampoline, I doubt they can make it over the lifelines with the netting. The kids do a thorough examination of them, pulling their wings out and checking them out. At about 9 pm last night Courage went out to do a check and came back with a live squid. It was a little one, but very alive. We played with it in a pan of salt water for a bit, and then threw him back in. He was setting off his jets and grabbing with his tentacles. They are such interesting creatures.
This morning I noticed that the bridle was hanging in the water. The bridle is a rope with a hook on the end that attaches to the two hulls and the anchor chain so that we get an even pull. We hang it on the ropes that suspend the trampolines while we are underway. It has had some barnacles on it since it's underwater most of the time. Apparently the barnacles have finally worn through the ropes we hang it on and it had sheered the ropes and fallen in the water. We retied the trampolines up and made a new tie down for the bridle.
Our hydro generator is making a funny noise when we go faster. Maybe the bearings are rubbing? It's been very nice since solar is usually our big contributor and it's been overcast. This morning our batteries were in great shape. Hope it's not going out, but we did get it used for a great price. We've already got our money's worth out of it, but would love for it to keep working!!!
I'm still deciding what to do about Vitality's hair. She's clearly right handed and chopped off a good chunk of her left side of her hair. She has a few strands here and there surviving. The back is still a little bit long. Most of the bangs are gone. Sooo . .. Do I a) shave her head, knowing we have about 20 days before we encounter the public and hope it grows some, b) give her a mullet, which is basically what she did, buzzed up front, but leave the longer stuff in the back, or c) leave it as it is and try to comb over her remaining strands?
That's about it from this end. Not a lot going on, we are doing well. We're still calculating and betting on days of travel still. I predicted 19 days before we left, knowing this was a very optimistic crossing. I'm still pushing for that goal. I think Courage said early 20's, up to bout 24 days. We are mid-day 6 we left April 13th at 10 am. We won't be 1/3 of the way by 10am tomorrow (end of day 6), but I believe the slow part is behind us. That's my plan. See how it goes. Keeps us busy speculating.
Shannon
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