24 HOUR RUN - 133 MILES
Flat seas. No wind.
Ahhh...this is what we were EXPECTING.
We motor on.
Jon has decided to use Ol' Perkie for 48 hours and about 2/3 of our diesel to press through as much of this as we can - after that, we will have to take whatever we get.
Just as every sailor to cross these seas before us, ever has.
We like to think about who has travelled these waters in eons past.
First Men in their balsa rafts, canoes, longboats and skiffs, the Colonizers and Claimers in their Galleons and Warships, Emissaries, Rulers, Explorers, Tyrants, Refugees, Pirates, Hunters, Gatherers, Thieves, Poets, Seekers and Scientists, Those who bring religions and Those who fled from them.
The ITCZ can extend South of the equator for quite a ways before those trades kick in, which means we could be stuck in this area for some time -if the winds don't cooperate. Right now, the weather gribs don't look promising. In fact, they say we're screwed and will be stuck in the Doldrums for like 300 more miles.
We decide to stop looking at the unpromising weather gribs and enjoy what we have. Which is, sunshine and a sky blue above that has no trace whatsoever, of Man's sticky fingerprints. The Ocean purrs and lolls beneath us, kneading, with soft paws, licking Pura Vida with a salty tongue. We receive the affection gladly, knowing that at any moment she can become an altogether different beast. Claws and Fangs and a Thing so wild, she might swallow the Earth in one bite. But right now, it's glorious to feel accepted by this untamed place.
It was practically impossible to stay awake during watch last night- we rocked so gently and the stars shone so perfectly, it was hard to tell if you weren't already dreaming.
Today brought squalls but we were seasoned and hardened by the Sea and we saw them a comin'. We have our moves down.
We learned to take them in the Buff, too. It's the tropics after all and hotter than hades, so you aren't gonna die of exposure and nothing is so banal as constantly shedding and drying out foul weather gear. So when the rains come with their whooping winds... we strip to the birthday suits. Nothing adds a little humor to a squally situation than watching your crew madly work a winch with their Kiesters hanging in the breeze.
My fairy blog-mother, Emily, who manages this shindig while we are at sea, posted us the sad news about what went down at the Boston Marathon. I know it is one of a hundred thousand atrocities, suffered everyday, but never-the-less, our hearts broke, out here in the great expanse.
How on earth can we help our planet if we can't stop hating on eachother?
It made me think of that song ONE by U2...
and that groovy Irishman, Mr. Bono, knew a thing or two about living in the shadow of extremist views...
"Is it getting better, or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you... now you got someone to blame?
And it's one Love,
One Life,
One Need... in the Night,
One Love, that we got to share,
and it leaves you baby,
if you don't care for it"....
We cranked up our speakers and stood on our deck,
and sang or hearts out .
For us, beautiful, conflicted humans, our incredible planet...
and for one moment,
the 2000 miles of ocean,
that separates our tiny, floating vessel from everyone we know and love,
was nothing.
The world is small, baby
It's our hearts that are the big crossing.
"...One life, with each other..
Sisters, brothers...
One life
but we're not the same...
We got to carry each other,
Carry each other...
ONE..."
Seriously, go put that song on-
I know you have it on your playlist somewhere .
(And the supposed fairy-blog-mother, who still has Internet... also has YouTube at her disposal:)
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
ReplyDeleteA stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
So twice five miles of fertile ground
With walls and towers were girdled round;
And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills,
Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree;
And here were forests ancient as the hills,
Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.
In Levittown did Irving Kahn
ReplyDeleteA lovely Cape Cod house decree:
Where Alf, the Sacred Neuman dwelt,
And Nick Fazool and Olaf Svelt.
And even Sean McGee.
There, fifty feet of crabgrass ground
With picket fence were girdled round.
A place for little Milt to play,
A port for Irving's Chevrolet.
But just one thing is not the very best,
you can't tell Irving's place from all the rest!
Music and nudity, probably the only solution for our sick and overloaded species. Sing on! Hey, here's another thought ... since you're on your way to the land where it grows ... what kind of fruit do you think hangs on a Bong-tree? ... No, I don't mind you quoting Boney-o, his lyrics ain't bad either.
ReplyDelete.... the baseless fabric of this vision,
ReplyDeleteThe cloud-capp'd tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on ....
Hey guys, my whole class is following your blog now! Just wanted to let you know.
ReplyDelete"The time has come" the Walrus said,
ReplyDelete"To talk of many things
Of shoes and ships and sealing wax
of cabbages and kings
And why the sea is boiling hot
And whether pigs have wings!"
xxxxooooMom/GS