The Squirrel and the Hummer

Friday, November 16, 2007. Team Welcome reporting from 35 55.844N 65 22.031W. 3:00 pm. The winds are NW around 30 knots. This is the lowest we have seen in 24 hours. Last night, the winds were sustained at 55 knots from the SW. Hard to tell how high the seas were last night. The only analogy I could think of is asking a squirrel to estimate the height of the Hummer about to hit it. At some point, it just doesn't matter. We eased off of the rhumb line to lessen the slamming into the waves. We made all of about 6 miles towards are destination overnight. Between the driving rain and the crashing seas, it was impossible to stay dry inside the cabin or in the cockpit. A screaming front finally came through mid day. The barometer dropped to 981. The wind abruptly turned west and then northwest, allowing us to continue in the general direction of Bermuda. If you are not on watch, you are prone in the cabin. Food consumption today so far: Jay has had a yogurt. Michael has had a single biscotti. I pigged out and had three biscotti and an apple. Jay asked how it is possible that people who go on cruises gain weight.

Michael has been quite seasick and my guess is that he will never set foot on a boat again, not even a ferry to P-town. He joined the wrong leg of this voyage, the next should be considerably better. The only positive thing we can say about this storm is that at least we were out of the Gulf Stream. While the waves were big, they were spaced so as to not threaten to roll us. The weather service and charts did forecast the front, but not the strength. The forecast for the remainder of the journey to Bermuda is for lighter winds. Why am I doing this again?

We very much look forward to Bermuda. We expect to arrive on Sunday. We have been blown way off course because of the SW winds, so our arrival is a day late. Michael flies home on Tuesday, and we will cast off for Antigua. Jay's client gave him a glass eye to ward off evil spirits and bad things. It is hanging from the overhead hatch. We will ask it kindly for a gentle journey forward.

DT for Team Welcome.