We passed the half way point yesterday. We celebrated by taking down our sails and all jumping in the water. We made sure that we were tied to the boat as we're just a bit far from land. In fact, I believe we're officially in the Middle-of-Nowhere! Let me describe it to you. There's water everywhere, and little wind coming from anywhere.

We now have a 3 knot current in our favor. We currently have 6-8 knots of wind and are sailing under gennaker only. We have two other sailboats within 100 miles. We have another six 400 miles behind us too.

And now for our story...

Fellowship of the Adventure

Narrator: It all began long, long, ago. The Elven kings, Dwarf-lords, and Mortal Men forged the sailboats. Sailboats made of wood, steel, and rope. In the end, one sailboat was built for the Dark Lord. It was molded in fiberglass and was unlike all sailboats that preceded it. It was an evil sailboat, though, and with it the Dark Lord attempted to rule over all that sailed.

No one knows exactly how the Dark Lord lost it - the reasons lost and forgotten to myth and lore. The sailboat wished to be found, though; it was looking for its owner. And so, it consumed all owners who possessed it - stripping them of all their power and fortune in hopes of finding its one true master. But then something happened that the sailboat did not expect. It came into the hands of a hobbit...

[Sean-Frodo stroking the wheel of Adventure, oblivious to his surroundings.] Kathy-Wise Gamgee: Why don't you let me take the wheel for awhile Mr. Sean-Frodo.

Sean-Frodo: No Kathy-Wise, this is my burden to bear. It would destroy you Kathy-Wise . I, and I alone, must steer, my precious - I mean - Adventure to Marquesas-dor. [Kathy-Wise looks hurt]

Sean-Frodo: I'm sorry Kathy-Wise, I don't mean to be rude.

Kathy-wise: It's the sailboat Mr. Sean-Frodo. Don't you see how it's changin' you? Can't you see it keeps breaking and taking all the money. Look! You can see that the sails have become tattered and will need mending soon.

Sean-Frodo: Shhh... I can feel them. Can you see them Kathy-wise?

Kathy-Wise: What? Sean-Frodo: The Black-Squall riders. They're upon us!

Black-Squall rider: [In scary whispery voice] Sean-Frodo, give us Adventure. We can see you - all alone. All alone in the big blue ocean.

Sean-Frodo: NOoooooo! My precious! [Lots of painful looks. More painful looks. Just a couple more... Eyes role back into head. Kathy-Wise rolls eyes sarcastically. Sean-Frodo desperately tries not to touch the wheel.]

[Merry-Casey, and Tara-Pippin come up to the cockpit]

Merry-Casey: What do we have to eat? I'm hungry.

Tara-Pippin: I don't think we have anything good to eat.

Merry-Casey: What are you talking about? There's no breakfast? What about second breakfast?

[Kathy-Wise hands Merry-Casey a banana] Merry Casey: What's this? It's all bruised. You can't expect me to eat this! I want nachos. You remember when we had nachos in the Shire of Cameron Park Tara-Pipan? Oh, I do love nachos. And pizza!

Tara-Pippin: Don't forget the mall. [Sad forlorn looks] Do you think we'll ever live in the Shire again Sean-Frodo?

Sean-Frodo: I hope so. [Long forlorn look out to sea.] I hope so.

Gandalf The Wind: Enough! Get on a run you fools! There coming: the Black-Squall riders.

Golum-Autopilot: I takes you. I takes you to Marquesas-dor. I takes you.

Kathy-Wise: Don't listen to him Mr. Sean-Frodo. He's trying to trick you.

Golum-Autopilot: No Master. We takes you to Marquesas-dor. We knows the way.

Sean-Frodo: Kathy-Wise, we're just going in circles. I can't help but think that this creature-comfort has some part yet to play in this Adventure. Smeogole-helm - that was your name once, wasn't it? Take us to Marquesas-dor, and no tricks or you'll feel my Sting. [Sean-Frodo holds out his hammer.]

Gollum-Autopilot: Yes master. [Makes sneaky squeaking noise in Kathy-Wise's direction.]

Kathy-Wise: Huh! It's not even tracking right. You see! [Kathy-Wise points to how Adventure is 20 degrees off course.]

Narrator: And so they continue on their quest for Marquesas-dor...

One sailboat to bind them, one sailboat to rule (or is it ruin) them all...

Kathy-Wise: You think they'll ever write a story about us Mr. Sean-Frodo?

Frodo-Sean: About us?!

Kathy-Wise: Yeah! They'll say, "I want to hear about Sean-Frodo and the sailboat."

Frodo-Sean: And I want to hear more about that Kathy-Wise Gamgee and how she provisioned, and organized the trip. Sean-Frodo could have never made the trip without Kathy-Wise.

Kathy-Wise: Don't worry Mr. Sean-Frodo. We'll make it. Somehow or other, we'll make it.

The End