Calm seas - May 24th

It's 22 degrees C outside (around 70F) and extremely calm. You could easily waterski, quite pleasantly really. It'd be fun to ride up and down the swells that are only 1-2 m. We've spent the day doing tasks we wanted to get to, but was too rough the first couple of days. Gary's figuring out the sextant (we've used the GPS up until now; too cloudy for a star/moon sightings anyways) that we got off of EBay.

Our exciting event for the day was removing the speed log from the hull, from the inside (!), as it hasn't worked since we left LA. We correctly suspected that some marine life was living in the little wheel, clogging it. This is an event that would preferably be done on dry land, but possible in-water as well. Your heart would race just doing this tied up at a marina - thoughts of your boat sinking as you try to stop the gushing. However, we got some experience at it when, at our slip in Vancouver AFTER our renos were done, we realized that we had the temporary plug in, not the sensor. Gary was a star, replacing the plug with the sensor in one quick swoop with less than a litre of water spilling into the boat. Today, he did it with about 5 litres of water spilling in, spraying him fully in the face and chest as it took a little longer to do the switch. He cleaned the sensor out and did the second swap nearly spill-free. Some people would just do without an indication of speed for the trip rather than take the risk in the open ocean. However, the conditions today are perfect for it, and besides....Gary had a back up plan. If things went sour, he would simply tape MY hand to the hole for the remainder of the trip to the Marquesas.

Earlier, Gary read some of the history of Pacific birds - we've seen a handful and were curious what they are. Our best guess right now is a storm petrel, or possibly shearwaters. Some albatrosses have been by as well, but they're easy to ID.

Those of you who helped out with our icechest will be happy to know that it is so bomber that it actually FROZE our milk and yogourt. We put 10 lbs (12x12x4") of dry ice in before leaving with some ice packs. So we haven't even bothered eating the yogourt or pre-prepped meals in there yet.

We have the tunes rocking, do some dancing each day, read, read, read, write letters, make food, eat food, turn produce and eggs, wipe the salt off the stainless steel on deck, and nap. Doesn't sound so bad, does it? Anyone wanna join us? We'll meet you at 22 21' N, 119 20' W. We should be there by tomorrow.