Blog Post 8-9-16

Current position: 39-16, 150-32 speed 7.36knts course of 045M true wind speed 10 - 17 knts

fish - 1 mahi; glass balls - 0

we're experiencing spotty satellite coverage. no rhyme or reason or timing, but other boats are experiencing it as well. So our apologies if news is getting to you later than usual or not when expected.

It happens to all of us, can't escape it, the boat is humming along at 8 knots, healed at 20deg, slamming through the waves like a bunking bronco. its also o-dark 30...middle of the night, you're snug in your bunk wrapped in your sleeping bag and you've just found that comfortable spot wedged against a pillow to stop the rolling... when it hits you....you have to use the head. First you try to ignore it, fight it...but alas you have to get up. So, you find your flashlight, crawl out of bed and hope to find the hand holds on the boat to keep from stumbling. you manage to locate the head, but find you're heeled so much the door won't open while you're leaning and bracing yourself at such an angle. Then you manage to get inside this tiny pitch black box and try to maneuver yourself into the proper position. I say a little prayer that the toilet seat will hold for another week. Great, made it through the first part...now to collect myself and make it back to my bunk. Seems easier said than done...trying to get dressed while holding on for dear life. Finally you get yourself in a good position that allows you to open the door. Yeah, made it out in one piece. Then reversing your steps back to the bunk, trying to find that position that will make you comfortable. Success...I always feel a sense of accomplishment as i fall back to sleep...met the challenge for one more night!

Thought it was time to talk about our home on the water, Tiki Blue. She is a Beneteau 423, a beautiful, dark hull, 42 ft. cruising boat. Very comfortable with a nice v-berth with head, aft cabin for sleeping 2, aft head, and a settee that has been converted to 2 bunks, nav station where this computer is located along with other electronics and the switch panel (for managing boat systems). plenty of storage for water, food, snacks and a galley that would be the envy of any chef. When i was told the boat had a refrigerator AND freezer, i never imagined that they would both hold up as long as they have! refrigeration can and often breaks down, however, we've been able to preserve our fresh food for 8 days at sea. Quite an accomplishment! A huge thanks to owner Gary Troxel for allowing us to sail on such a gorgeous, comfortable and stable vessel.

The boat amenities have allowed us to have nutritious food: Breakfast consists of cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon or portugese sausage, grilled toast, oranges, coffee. Lunch is usually sandwiches with lunch meat, cheese, tomatoes, chips. Snacking all day on dried fruit, trail mix, pretzels. Andy is our master chef at dinner. We were treated to Kim Ickler's baked turkey that had been frozen since we left Hawaii, apricot couscous and pupuus of cheese and crackers or apples and peanut butter. Kim also sent us away with her homemade banana nut bread...such a treat this morning with breakfast. There is one last piece that has the Warlord's name on it. We plan to use up our fresh food as long as it lasts before getting into the canned and freeze dried stuff. Still trying for that elusive tuna!

Aloha!
Tiki Blue return Crew

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