This morning at 0440 we hit the midway point!! That would be 37.25 deg north, or 37 deg. 15'N. Andy, Elise, and I had a small, anticliimatic celebration in the cockpit akin to a New Year's Eve celebrated alone. I think Andy's build-up to the big moment held more excitement than the actual crossing of the proverbial line. I looked over the side, expecting to see something in the water that the ARC put there signifying we had finally reached the midpoint. But, alas, nothing could be seen save for the phosphorescence in the bow wake.

So let's see....15 days to get halfway across the pond. Nice. That should put us into Rodney Bay, St. Lucia around Dec. 20th!! Just in time for Christmas! Never mind the fact that family is coming to meet us well before that!!!

Of course, our midpoint celebration was based on when we crossed the longitude halfway between Las Palmas, Gran Canaria and St. Lucia. It had nothing to do with the midway point based on time. We spent over a week going south. Had we used time, we would have had the midway celebration many days ago. (Or at least I hope so! We're not in St. Lucia yet!!)

So today is party day! That's right. We are breaking out the disco ball and bell bottoms and going for it. Well, maybe not. We may have to make a few modifications. But we have blown up 8 balloons and have had them tied up under the bimini most of the day just to make sure everyone is in the party mood! We caught a nice 10 kilo tuna yesterday, so for lunch I made sushi rolls and they were well received. Sounds like the clan is into sashimi as well, so we may go down that path tonight.

Elise has baked a chocolate cake for after dinner for the occasion. Plus we have some champagne and sparkling cider chilling down for our evening celebration. After dinner no party would be complete without some gift giving, right? I asked each crew member to bring something wrapped from a spouse or loved one that is theirs and theirs alone. If it's chocolate inside that package, no share-sies!! So after dinner we will all unwrap our gifts and see what the second half brings. I just hope Ruth didn't pack any razor blades or sharp knives! As long as this trek is taking, I need to be watched closely!! :-)

We are looking for the trade winds. So if you find them, please send them over this way, will ya? Actually, we have been hooked into them for a day or two. But they are light -- not the stuff you think of when you think 'trades'. We are running in about 11k. And the sea is steep and confused -- again, not the following sea you expect in the trades. But tomorrow, or maybe even tonight, it is supposed to build and eventually get to 18-23k. Now THAT would be fun!!!

Our ETA (estimated time of arrival) at this point is around Dec. 14. Ruth arrives Dec. 15. So right now we are racing the airline! The writing is starting to show on the wall regarding our place in class, I think. Not being able to pole out a spinnaker means we have to sail hotter angles and these other guys are saving their time. But, hey, we still have 1,350 nm or so to go, so who knows?!!