Saturday, May 21, 2005

Journal Entry – May 21, 2005 Pacific Puddle Jump Day 17 – It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane…

Author: Pam

We are officially in the ITZC, the wind died around 0200 and after trying to squeak some movement out of the sails that were slapping around we hove to until 0700. While being hove to the sails and the helm work to counteract each other, therefore stopping the boat. It is a technique that is used in many different situations. In this case it allowed us a bit of piece and quiet and for the boat to not fight to try to go somewhere with no wind. We could also heave to in the future if we need to wait to go into a harbor for daylight or not fight strong winds in a storm. It is great to have in your hip pocket even for when the need comes up to regroup or just rest. However, sitting still is not what we want to be doing right now. There continued to be very little wind all day. The wind vane was struggling, so we hand steered or hove to again until the evening. At 0900 we had a mysterious visit from a helicopter. The “bird” flew to directly overhead, circled once and headed back. It was very strange. They were obviously checking us out for some reason, because as soon as they flew overhead they flew back from where they came from. There may have been identifying information, but this is the kind of information we can not see. It was a good thing we were not taking a shower in the cockpit at that time. J Our first official day in the doldrums was pretty low key and very hot. We really didn’t feel like doing anything, except read. Scott did brave the big blue again and threw the line in, Fish 7, Tournesol 0. I am beginning to think we will have better luck in the Southern Hemisphere. So no fish for dinner once again, we had beef stew and mashed potatoes and watched the second half of “Raising Arizona”, it’s an odd movie, but we liked it. It could be that we are easily entertained right now. The wind picked up and we started making 3-4 knots around 1900, just in time for bed. The wind vane was able to steer all night, with Scott babysitting it.

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