Here we are on the midnight watch.
The stars are glorious. The waves are pretty tame. The warm wind is coming from behind us!! (Um, finally!) And not only the wind but we seem to have a "tail current" helping us along tonight. The boat is stable and feels like she's stepping out. It's nice!
There's been a lot of discussion today about what's ahead, looking at NOAA's high seas forecast and the information in Skip's email, plus the general excitement about being in the Northern latitudes.
First to navigate is the ITCZ (which we think stands for "Inter Tropic Convergence Zone."
Remember Earth science and the images of the way air circulates around the globe? In bands? And in opposite directions in the N & S Hemispheres.
Ok. What happens when they meet? We're about to find out!
Apparently there are dozens of variables and this zone moves around, gets thick or thin, can be highly energetic or not so much... but generally, weirdness is to be anticipated.
Reports indicate we may have gotten lucky this week and it will be located around 5° N for 50 -100 miles (pretty narrow) and not too chaotic.
So, that's good news. We watch for weirdness as we approach. We are prepared to motor-sail to stay on our course as conditions fluctuate.
After the ITCZ, we are expecting to be in "The Trade Winds" mostly east to west mostly breeze-on, all the way across.
In the meantime, we will take whatever chance is given to do any light wind business (making water, protecting chaffe points, engine room maintenance) Maybe throw out the fishing lines again.
Since none of us have done this before, our imaginations are heavily reliant on other sailor's stories, computer models, and our experience so far. It's part of the adventure!
Prayer and good vibes appreciated!
Love & Light,
Fair winds and seas,
~e.
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