We will cross the equator tonight sometime about 0200 am. This will be our third equatorial crossing, and it is every bit as special as our first was in 2010 when we sailed from Mexico to French Polynesia. We will have a little party in King Neptune's honor. I think we even have a cold beer on board to share with him. (Normally, we are a dry boat while underway, but for the crossing, we make an exception.

It has been a beautiful sailing day with a few little interesting bits thrown in. There is a current in these waters that set us to the west at about a knot. This means that while our boat speed is 6.5 knots, our speed over the ground has only been 5 knots. What a shame, eh? We agree.

We had the wind completely shut off today. It just went from blowing a comfortable 10 or 11 knots, to zero. Nothing. But, our instruments showed us drifting west at over two knots. Interesting. We took the opportunity to enjoy a bit to eat and do a little maintenance up on the bow. It only lasted about a half an hour.

The morning was wonderful. Elisabeth takes the 0300 to 0600 watch, then I get up at 0600 and let her sleep. We then both nap throughout the day. This morning she let me sleep in until I woke up at 0700. I climbed out of the cabin and there she was, happily hand steering on a beautiful morning with a million candle watt smile on her face. I feel like the happiest guy on earth sometimes.

Best to you all, and until tomorrow, Rod and Elisabeth