Day 14 - Shellbacks!

Day 14 4/12/06 3:52 am
Coordinates............ 00 37.247S, 130 42.103W
Heading................ 210
Boat speed..............5 knots
24 hr total nm .........115 nautical miles (NM)
miles total since MX....approx. 2006 nm
Wind direct. & speed....NE 5-10 knots
Swell direct. & ht .....E 1-3 ft.
Cloud cover.............55%
Barometer...............994

Four new shellbacks have joined the force. It's official, if you notice up in the coordinates it now proudly displays S instead of N in latitude. We have entered the Southern Hemisphere and we are excited. At 5pm we logged onto our final check in of the day with our cruising pals and exchanged daily stories. With much well wishing from them we signed off and quickly ran up top to watch the final clicks of degrees/minutes/seconds to see the proud display of 00 000.000 on the monitor shortly before 6pm. We had pulled down the mainsail, placed the boat in neutral a while before, so we were gently coasting as we crossed the equator. Moments before we crossed, Bruce jumped in and ceremoniously, and nakedly I might add, swam across the equator. He hopped aboard and we each took our turns, also nakedly, dipping in the warm waters at the equatorial turning point. Once dry, we donned our crowns, gathered our offerings and gave a toast to King Neptune. We asked of him that he grant us continued safe passage on our journeys, that he shower us with more fun adventures, that he continues to grace us with new friends along the way and that he bless the friends and family that we share this journey with. In return, we offered to continue our journey with open minds, compassionate hearts and willing spirits. With the purest and most precious beverage we had aboard, water, we each toasted His Royal King Neptune, and in offering the youngest members of the crew gave overboard our written scroll of requests/offerings and a dash of our most expensive beverage on board, tequila. (What can we say, we just left Mexico) Hopefully we have pleased King Neptune and our offerings will be accepted in the depths of his sea.

We opted out on the shrimp menu as we just couldn't justify eating a creature of his kingdom on this day. Our favorite pasta filled the bill and chocolate cake for dessert. We chose yet another fun and appropriate movie for the night, Shark Tales. Yes, it may have crossed our minds as we looked deep into ocean blue beneath our toes at that moment.

Aside from our wonderful diversion of celebration, the day was very routine. The winds continue to be extremely light and shifting all around. We continue to motor and hope they will fill in soon. A quick side note, the newest edition of the magazine Latitude 38 is out and contains a story covering all the boats crossing with us. It can be found at any West Marine store or often other boating stores. Included are photos and information on each boat including us.

until next time,
love lisa and the boys