Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7

Today was spectacular in that we sailed all day and continue to do so.
Skipper says we may be able to sail all the way to the mouth of Juan de Fuca
Strait.  The winds are light but with the Grace´s rig we were able to make
between 7 and 8 knots all day.  The swell is minimal and the heel is slight;
we are gently leaning to port with a very, very gentle rocking motion . . .
wonderful . . . just what we were wanting.  The air seems to be getting
colder and colder and has a real icy feeling to it.  The clouds were light
and the sun regularly peeked through; we could feel some of its faint warmth
on our eager and upturned faces (bundled in hats and raingear hoods).   This
morning we reset the main topsail and the fisherman staysail which came down
yesterday evening.  These two sails are light weather sails and in today´s
breeze, did most of the drawing.  If we could have a few more days like
today, I´m pretty sure that the amount of motoring we have done would fade
from our memory.  Sailing like we are now is what everyone who dreams of
making a passage on a sail boat longs for; nice seas, steady wind,
comfortable sailing, a bit of sun, quiet, sounds of water rushing by the
hull, sounds of rigging being gently worked, people talking . . . quite
idyllic and relaxing.  Other than the sailing, which filled our day and our
souls, nothing out of the ordinary happened.  The daily games of tag, the
gorgeous sunset, the comfortable chats, meals together around a table, etc.
Right now most people are below enjoying each others´ company.   From the
stern I will walk you through the ship and give you a glimpse of our life.
On deck Sarah B. is standing a very cold watch with Sean and Elske and they
are laughing boisterously about something.  The sky is beautiful, as is the
ocean.  In the after cabin, which is cozy because of the stove, Antony, Jose
and the 3 Anderson boys are asleep in their bunks.  Skipper is checking
weather and looking through books, preparing for tomorrow´s Sunday service.
We go through the engine room, where the generator is running and water is
being made, to the galley, where Blake, Steve, and Mark are leaning up
against the counters talking, while Katie is finishing off a huge batch of
buns for tomorrow´s birthday breakfast, and where trainees and crew
continually come to plug in the kettle to make a hot drink.  In the hold
there are 14 people around the table playing 2 different card games.  Keith
is sleeping in his bunk and several others are sitting in bunks ´hanging
out,´ chatting, and starting to think about getting ready for bed.  In the
foc´sle Lisa is brushing her teeth, waiting to spit while someone else is
using the toilet.  Leighsa and Sara R. are making Japanese-style bound
books; they are beautiful.  Caley is reading, or trying to read; there are
so many things to get distracted by.  Jordan and Christina are playing chess
while Sean watches; all three are plugged into an ipod, taking turns picking
music.  Some of the girls are in their bunks, attempting to catch some sleep
before their watches tonight.  Yes, it´s a busy boat and there´s an
incredibly wonderful feeling permeating it as I walk through.  Everyone
feels the ship is their home, and it is.   A big Happy Birthday to Tavish
and Farlyn tomorrow June 1st, from the crew and all of the Anderson family.
We look forward to seeing you on the dock.  We are looking forward to this
night, the engine is off and the sailing couldn´t be better.  Until
tomorrow, good-night, Bonice.(EL