We are about to depart on our 17-20 day passage across the Atlantic Ocean. Food has been acquired and stowed, last onshore showers taken, and we’ve checked out with the police. Everyone is happy, the boat is happy, although perhaps a little bit down on her lines (weighing somewhat more than usual).

Here in Santa Cruz de Tenerife we’ve enjoyed some lovely weather, met interesting people and seen some incredible sights. Probably the most amazing was the snow-covered mountain called El Teide – tallest peak in Tenerife and in fact in all of Spain. Unfortunately there were hordes of tourists also enjoying the trip and jockeying for position on the narrow, winding roads. (There were 4 monster cruise ships in the harbor that day.) Another day we visited an archaeological site that turned out to be a passionate homage to Thor Heyerdahl and his theories of prehistoric ocean passages on reed boats, and the spread of civilization from the Middle East to Central America, long before Christopher Columbus.
Together with our friend (now crew member) Tom Foor, we plan to head to sea tomorrow. We’ll go south until we find the trade winds, probably around the Cape Verde Islands. Then we’ll head west toward the Caribbean, hoping to find landfall at St. Lucia about a week before Christmas.

It’s possible I’ll be able to do a blog from mid-ocean, that remains to be seen. Otherwise, see you on the other side!

Best wishes and happy holidays to all our friends and family!

Craig and Barbara
S/V Sequoia