12:36 GMT, Sunday Dec 4, 2011
15 08 N, 53 54 W
Distance sailed from Gran Canaria: 2543nm
Rhumb line distance to go: 420nm
Dear Family and Friends,
We are coming down to the final leg of the ARC and I am happy to report that we continue to have good winds out of the East slowing down to 10 - 20 knots. Still sailing WITHOUT the engine! (We have sailed the entire trip ,so far, without engine assistance!) Every once in a while, we get hit by a squall that will push us along another few knots, but our average speed has slowed to 7.5 knots for the last 24 hours.
Last night was one of those memorable ones. We had a beautiful moon lit sky with the reflection of the ocean lighting a way for us thru the water. The seas had calmed and were very deliberate in pushing Destiny and crew in the direction of our heading. The weather cooled to the low 70's and there was no traffic or squalls. Kind of what every sailor dreams of experiencing in their lifetime! VERY SERENE!
Now I know how the astronauts must feel when in space for an extended period of time. Our provisions are going from lots of fruits ,vegetables, and fresh ingredients to eating more from the box and freezer. We had our last ration of lettuce today, and ran out of pears and other fruits a few days back. We had noticed before we left the Canary Islands, that there were a few boats with large bunches of bananas (100-150 or more). Our question was how do they get them to ripen over the period of the trip, or do they have lots of banana bread all at once?!
Just like the astronauts trip thru space there are no gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants along the way on this sailing venture. What you have aboard when you leave is what you get to enjoy along the way!
All in all we have been spoiled by the GREAT accomodations Nelson (the boat owner) has afforded us.! An excellent job was done by Nelson, Graeme and Lynley in planning our menus, and providing for our safety. The crew (Skip, Jim, and Matt) want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
To put the remaining few days of our sailing adventure in perspective, we are a little less in in terms of distance to St. Lucia (420 nautical miles or 480 miles) than a land trip from Minneapolis to Chicago (485 miles). If YOU ran at an average speed of 8.5 mph to Chicago for the next few days, you may or may not beat us in our quest to reach St. Lucia by Wednesday a.m.
YES LIFE AT SEA IS DIFFERENT THAN ON LAND!!!!!!!
Big Hugs and regards to all friends and family
Jim would like to extend a special salute to all his friends at Queen City Yacht Club in Toronto, Canada
Love to Sweet Pea and all our family
Skip (Graeme, Nelson, Lynley, Matt, Jim)