We finally found the wind after 2.5 days motorsailing. This was expected as the trade winds do not kick-in until you get about 300 miles South of the equator (the Galapagos are on the equator). We move a lot slower when we motor, especially when we are trying to conserve fuel, so it's nice to be sailing again. During the last 24 hours (50% motoring and 50% sailing) we only covered 190 miles. Now that we have steady wind we should be able to cover 200+ miles per day. That small difference can mean several fewer days at sea when you consider we have more than 2500 miles to go. Fewer days at sea means more time to enjoy the Marquises and less exposure to the boat and crew. The wind has been increasing and so has the boat speed. We have shortened sail a couple times in the past 12 hours. The boat was fine with more sail but the seas are very confused and we were literally jumping off waves going 13kts. We pulled in a bit more sail and the motion is much nicer and we are still doing a respectable 9.5 to 10kts. More importantly we have a smiling crew :). Imagine the difference between riding a mountain bike at full speed down a ski hill and peddling calmly down a village road. Everybody is more relaxed when the boat isn't skipping off the tops of waves even though it is a bit frustrating to the captain. There are a few boats that left a couple days before us and the competitor in me wants to mash the accelerator and pass them but the dad/husband/crew in me dominates so I have taken the edge off to maintain good moral and avoid a mutiny. Oh yeah, how about the picture. Yesterday we caught a huge Wahoo. This is a nice change from all the tuna we have been catching. The guy in the picture looks like a complete goof ball but it was the best shot of the fish. It was over three feet long and will provide fresh food for at least three days. Of course Monique went right to work and we had a fabulous fish and rice dinner last night.

Everyone is doing well and we are all enjoying the ride. The days are sunny and the nights are filled with stars. The moon is waxing so our night watches are getting brighter as we chase down the Southern Cross and watch the Big Dipper and North Star fade over the horizon behind us.