Galapagos-Easter Island Passage Day 8

This passage does not seem quite as long as it is. It is 1800 miles and yet it feels like a 500 mile passage. Most of the reason why it is going so fast is because often times I have something to do. One of them is listening to the Harry Potter series. We have started a tradition where every passage, we listen to one or two books on the iPod for our entertainment. Listening to the Harry Potter books again is a great way to pass the time. Another reason is that I spend a lot of time on the poop deck lost in my imagination. I love to think about the superheroes I have created, pretending that I am one of them. I also like to think about some of the foreign worlds that I have created. Our speed on this passage has averaged faster than 6 knots, so it feels like we are getting there quicker. Porter and I have also spent a lot of time talking to each other about things in our imaginations. Also, having Pete here with us makes this passage a whole lot more interesting because i have someone to learn from besides my parents. It is also nice knowing that there is another older person on the boat other than just Mama and Daddy. All in all, this passage seems like a good one so far. - Jack Rabbit

Slowly I cut a hole in the flying fish's stomach. With Daddy's help, I inserted a hook and tied it off with monofilament. I tossed the whole rigged flying fish overboard and sat back. A few hours later, at 3:00, I leapt to my feet, abandoning Harry Potter, and dashed to the line. I fought the fish slowly in. My arm was starting to get tired when the mahi-mahi flashed a different color. Immediately I pulled it boat side. Daddy gaffed it perfectly and stopped it moving. After we had killed it completely with gin, Daddy filleted the mahi-mahi. An hour and a half later, we were eating mahi-mahi cream sauce on rice that Mama made. I love catching fish because they make great meals and it is a really fun way to pass the time. I am hoping that next time we catch a fish, it will be a tuna. And I hope it is soon! - Porter

The passage, now half way complete, seems to have fallen into a nice rhythm. We have adjusted to our wacky sleep schedules and spirits are high all around. I am still waiting for a completely clear night for star-viewing, but have had some great glimpses of the sky between moving clouds. Its been a joy hanging with this group and I look forward to the remainder of the voyage, and to our arrival at Isla de Pasqua! - Pete

Mid way through the passage, the moments and days can start to blur together. To prevent this, we have various celebrations, rituals and activities to punctuate the trip. This morning began with some very loud music: the song we always play at the half way point of a passage. While Pete watched the strange sight, the Rabbit, Christopher and I sang at the top of our lungs and poked at Porter, trying to get him to play along. At this point in our adventure with a variety of passages under our belts, his refusal to sing and dance to the half way song is as much a part of the ritual as the actual song itself. The music was followed by treats from the Expedition Leader: special chocolates for each of us. Christopher learned this trick from Jimmy Cornell. Unfortunately, Porter has read Cornell's daughter's book abut being a child at sea and she noted that her dad delivered presents for every ten degrees of longitude they crossed when sailing around the world; so now the crew on Sila wonders what we did wrong! Even so, all is well on Sila- Molly

Halfway is always a fun moment and also the loneliest spot on a passage. We are now about 1,000nm from land. It is pretty lonely out here. Except for the first night, we have not seen a single boat on the horizon, radar, or on the AIS. It is a real joy to have three adult watch standers, as we all get enough sleep and still have time to hang out in all the various groupings. Life is good. - Christopher

Day 8 Stats:

0600 local (1200z) JUL 30 2014
Fix @ 14*35.3's 99*37.4'w

Wind 110T variable F5, winds cycling low F4 to high F5 last 2 days
90% clouds (mid-level cumulous)
Light rains in squalls last 24 hr
SE swell 1-2m, confused seas

0600-0600 Local (12z-12z) 24 hour run approximately 149nm (mean speed of 6.2 knots in the last 24 hours)

Passed half way in the wee hours, now 921nm to go (48%). Since the start we have averaged 149nm per day and at this pace would arrive on August 5th or 6th.