During this last leg of our trip, reaching through the trade winds has been spectacular. I remember a certain evening about three nights ago while we were still in some stronger trade winds. I was steering and every single person on my watch was below doing various different things. I think Hannah was navigating, Molly was working on her chart, and Lesandra was undoubtedly on a boat check. When I stood to on the starboard side of the wheel I could see nobody. Everyone was asleep, and those who were awake (mywatch) were engaged in very quiet late night watch rituals. We were cruising right along in a brisk 12 knot breeze making around 8 knots.   

Working onboard a high maintenance boat like a 129 foot wooden schooner is hard work. There are many times when it seems like a total waste of time and talent - but then there are times like my night watch. I am sailing Amistad, under full sail at 8 knots bound for Africa. I was standing up by the wheel turning easing her to port or starboard, spoke by spoke, wandering around my ordered course of 150. To my left (east) the constellation Orion was lying prone on a cirrus cloud which was illuminated by the rising half moon. That moment, I felt like it was just me and Orion, enjoying each others company on the trades of the eastern pacific ocean. A truly pleasant memory.

 

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