The miles continue to peel off in these great trade winds. My noon-to-noon distance for today is 147 mi. for an average speed of 6.1 kts. The air temperature is 81 and the water is 80. Each day brings warmer temperatures. The weather chart indicates that this wind should continue for another four days. At that point I will re-evaluate the course and determine how to best negotiate the doldrums.

There is not much to see out here except water and lots of it. The sky is 95% clear with patches of small cumulus clouds. At night there are more stars out than I ever thought possible. I will look tonight for the Southern Cross.

This morning I saw three white-tailed tropicbirds circling the boat and occasionally screaming as they are known to do. They were with me for several hours before finally giving up any hope of receiving offerings. Now and then I see small swallow-like birds flying just above the wave tops. It is very difficult to get a good look at them so I am unable to identify. Flying fish are almost always visible as they apparently try to get out of the way of the boat. Small schools of them will go airborne two feet above the water for perhaps 100 feet. Each morning I usually find half a dozen on deck but not enough large ones to justify a meal.

All is well onboard. I feel great and am getting enough sleep. By the way, I thoroughly enjoy the comments but I am not able to read them remotely. My nephew Troy bundles them and sends them each week. Feel free to email me if you wish.