whale of a time

I guess there wasn't much to report yesterday, so no one wrote. But then after dinner we had a visit from a whale. He surfaced maybe 12 feet from the boat, presumably to check us out. The spray practically came up around the rails. Peter V and I saw him, and then he was gone. We did see some more spouts in the distance but no more close encounters. I figure he was maybe 30+ feet. No idea what kind, as we only saw the back but not the tail.

We've cleared the ITCZ with no difficulties. However, now we have no wind and are motoring. No wind is forecasted for at least another 24 hours. So much for our 7 knot average days. We have 860 miles to go. I hate to think how long that is at our current speed. Hopefully the SE trades will fill in soon and we'll zoom the rest of the way.

Even Pete is starting to get bored, so it's really time to get off this boat. We've had some chats on the radio with other boats and everyone is starting to wonder how we're all going to get home. It's one thing to sail downwind 5,000 miles, it's another to turn around. We'll see how the month of May goes in Polynesia and then we'll have to make some definite plans for our future.

Everyone is pretty lethargic and sleep deprived. The constant motion of the boat keeps your muscles in use all the time. Even sleeping is not totally restful because of always compensating for the roll. Peter V. is still quite sick so is really not able to help much.

I promised the kids a party when we cross the equator, so if I can find the energy to make rice krispie treats, we'll have a little celebration sometime today we think. We have party hats, balloons and home made confetti. I got out all my paper punches and the kids filled up a yoghurt container with shapes. We'll use it to toast King Neptune.

-Kellie