Tuesday (07-22-2008)

Track Tiki Blue's satellite transponder (Division C)

Tiki Blue still does not have a solid internet connection, so this update was based on a voice mail via satelite phone. Please excuse any interpretation errors as the message was translated into text via the voice message.

Daily blog for Tuesday, July 22...this is a special one, so "read" carefully!

Well, we have 850 miles to go until to Hawaii, we're on the downhill side of the race and all is going well, with one exception. We discovered today that our aft (rear) water tank leaked into the bilge (bottom of the boat) and thus it is now empty. We have already used most of the water in the forward tank, so we have set up a plan for the remaining water we have to last us to Hawaii. After taking careful inventory, and checking emergency water supplies, we have determined that we have enough water for our crew and may not require using emergency rations. This of course means no more taking showers or washing dishes. We have notified the race committee of our situation and alternate plans are available if we decide we need more water. Getting outside assistance would require us to drop out of the race.....so we will be taking ocean bucket baths on the stern platform, tethered to the boat of course, to keep everyone comfortable for the duration.

We have plenty of food and last night we had a terrific dinner of BBQ'd steak with mashed potatoes and green beans. Ricky was the BBQ meister and did a great job.

We also had a sunset ceremony under sail to scatter (some of) the ashes of my mother in law, who passed away one year ago and shared stories of loved each of us has lost and what they have meant to us in our lives. It was a special bonding experience out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that will be a life memory for us all.

The crew is a perfect team of form and function. Everyone has their special contribution to our shared goals and I'm forever grateful to be lent such a wonderful group of friends. I catch my son Ryan smiling for no reason and that means so much to me.

Speaking of smiling....this morning the crew sneaked into the V-berth (the queen-sized bed at the very front of the boat) with our mascot, a squawking rubber chicken and careully positioned it next to my head and then squeezed the chicken so it gave its now familiar squawk. This powerfully brought every nerve and connecting synapse in my body to full attention. As I clawed and tried to focus on who was attacking me, I found the entire crew laughing hysterically, and best of all, they got it on video. The video was passed around for follow up laughter every now and then.

Sailing has been a bit slower with lighter wind conditions than the first part of the race. However, we seem to be in the hunt for a trophy position. We are still in first place for the Team Trophy (Team Blue is made up of Tiki Blue, Morpheus, and Sapphire) and RYC (Richmond Yacht Club) Team Blue is working it's magic. We spoke with Sapphire, one of our Team members.....and they are kicking some fanny. Great job Dave and crew!

That's it for now, until tomorrow, conserve water and happy sailing to family and friends, we think of you often.

~ Team Tiki Blue

Listen to Capn' G's update by clicking here.