Mark
November 17, 2011, 6:25 am, 24 00.3'N:67 26'W, Thursday 7:00 am eastern, 370 miles to Tortola, ETA late Saturday

The smooth ride with no wind ended 36 hours ago. Since then, we have had 15-20 kts on the nose and 8-12' seas. We have not seen another boat for the last 3 days. We know they are out there, mostly to the north of us, but it would be nice to see someone else out here. We are starting to feel like we may be in episode of the X-Files or an Outer Limits rerun. Could we have been transported to a parallel planet of endless ocean never to see another boat or land again? Ok, this is what happens to crew who are sleep deprived, our imaginations run wild.

Estimated arrival at Nanny Cay Tortola is Saturday afternoon. At Last is happy with the conditions, happier than most of the crew but everyone if fine. We are starting to talk about the first thing we are going to do when we arrive in port. For most, it is a toss-up between taking a shower and drinking a beer. So we thought we would do both at the same time.

The Caribbean 1500

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Mark
November 15, 2011, 5:21 am, 28 36.7'N:69 46.8'W, Thurday 6:00 am eastern, 677 miles to Tortola, ETA late Friday

The passage has been a bit boring, flat seas, little wind, no flying fish on deck. The crew is wondering about all this talk of the "challenges" of sailing around the world. I will be happy if they continue to doubt the rigors of our journey for the rest of the trip.

However, my brother Chris remarked this morning on our midnight to four am shift, "saling on a passage like this really makes one appreciate the simple things in life, a shower, clean clothes, and sleep.

The Caribbean 1500

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Mark
November 14, 2011, 1:27 pm, 30 01.2'N:70 35.6'W,

But who's complaining. It is Tuesday at 3:21 pm Atlantic time. We are 777 miles from Tortola. Very litle wind. Very calm seas. To conserve fuel, we are sailing in the slightest of wind. It is shorts and T-shirt weather. Janet and Andy have been playing gin rummy on thier watch. Andy has kicked off the fishing contest. I think we are near the front of the Rally but it is hard to tell. WE are trying to head east for the next day or so then head south to Tortola to have some favorable winds off our port beam.

The Caribbean 1500

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Janet
November 13, 2011, 6:37 am, 32 39.4'N:72 41.6'W,

We are having a good passage. Seas are flat with no wind so we are motoring. Everyone is fine. At last is fine. No cookies have been offered up to Posiden. This is last night's sunset.

The Caribbean 1500

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Janet
November 12, 2011, 5:00 am, 35 02.9'N:74 45'W,

First day of sailing was great with winds and waves pushing us to the Gulf Stream. Everyone is fine and At Last is performing well. The Gulf Stream is very calm with 2-3 foot seas. The winds died off after 2:00 am and we have been motoring since.

The Caribbean 1500

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sunny and 20-30 knots pushing us
November 11, 2011, 11:07 am

We left the dock at 9:00 am. Leaving the Chesapeake now. Check out the Caribbean 1500 link to see the fleet along the way. Will try to post every couple of days.

The Caribbean 1500

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November 9, 2011, 12:00 pm

All I am going to add for now is that the start is delayed once more to Friday morning at 10:00 am. Sean is obstinate and stubborn and won't move until a high pressure system pushes him out of the way on Friday. We are running out of work to do on the boat. I have to come up with something to keep the crew busy or they may mutiny. Refinish the teak?

I bought a fishing rod and tackle. We plan to have a fishing contest along the way. Sushi is on the menu.

The Caribbean 1500

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