Somewhere near the equator…. After our thunderstorm encounter we maneuvered SW and have been sailing along the top of the ITCZ (doldrums), scouting for a good crossing point. The weather has been delightful. We’ve had light winds, sunny skies, flat seas and no squalls. What could go wrong? Well, the climate scientists (oxymoron) and their weather models, are now forecasting a giant wind hole is going to open up all around us and trap us for days and days. Of course, it wasn’t in yesterday’s forecast and might not be in tomorrow’s, but there it is. With over 1000 miles to go, we don’t have the fuel to motor through it.

Sooo, I think it’s time to go old school and offer a sacrifice to Poseidon! With a dearth of virgins aboard, I have suggested that since McKay is still an equator virgin, her Samson braid would be a powerful talisman sure to please the master of wind and sea. Though McKay seems loathe to give it up, I think she’d look good in a bob cut? There were some private discussions about taking it in her sleep, but Gavin would not sign on for that. He said it was TOO Waterworld. Oh well, I guess Poseidon will hafta settle for a couple dollops of rum, and we’ll make the best of what we get.

On a brighter note, we are nearing consensus on McKay’s new tattoo…