half way

We are celebrated our halfway mark today! Hula girls, fire dancers (this is a gender equality boat), and beach volleyball. Don't worry, Gary, we'll sweep up the sand. A dinner of Joe's delicious chicken teriyaki and Michele's tasty but port heeled cheesecake (as goes the boat, so goes the cheesecake). We toasted Tiki Blue for her wonderful sailing, Gary for sharing her with us, Skipper Dennis for imparting his wisdom and years of knowledge, First Mate Michele for organizing and managing the trip, and Joe and Andy for their enthusiasm for learning. Good food, good wine, and good spirits abounded (thus the delayed blog entry!)

We have been motoring through the high since 02:30 yesterday but it's been sunny and cool and we can go the direction we want to go. We slowed up a bit this afternoon to refuel and thought perhaps we could sail but no go. Andy gave it a valiant effort and gets those extra points from Tom for carving his initials in the Pacific Ocean. We're motoring again.

Unfortunately, we are also seeing more garbage - mostly in the shape of buoys but a tire floated by early this morning as Dennis and Michele traded watches. We are participating in a marine debris survey and are collecting information everyday that we'll send in once we return. So we at least feel like our garbage sightings are helpful.

Well, it's 02:30, the boys are snug in their bunks, Dennis is top side, the seas are calm, and my bunk is calling my name.

All is well on Tiki Blue.

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