“What you do you choose to do” and when the temperature cracks 70, the sun is shining and the seas are calm you may sometimes get a hairy chested, shirtless man, sipping semi-burnt percolator derived coffee  at the helm of a sailboat! I figure with all the body hair is there really a need for more on the face.

“Go for it, be spontaneous and follow through”… “Relax, breath, live, love, enjoy” and my personal favorite from the private journal writings of last night… “Get out of your head and into Life”

Friday
1409 – FLIPPER is alive! Dolphins (or porpoises) just surfaced and rolled over on their bellies directly off the Audax’s bow with their fins within a hands reach of shaking!! Just super awesome and exciting as we trek South…steaming past Beaufort with the sun shining and a crystal still ocean. A bit of Dal Fry and rice, (thanks Erin!) and back into the groove for the next 40 hours plus. The town of Oriental was in action as we left, raising their X-mas star for their annual ceremony we are sorry to miss. Friendly goodbyes from Jimmy at the provision store, Laura- the sail maker, Sarah- our running mate/ new friend and Keith – local resident, entrepreneur and creator of the towndock.net site we were famous on. Thank you Oriental, we are gracious for the hospitality and hope to return soon. Below is Steve and I in front of the Bean. Steve bought me a souvenir T-shirt, thank you!!!

Saturday
0424 SLEEPY!! Working to stay awake; black tea, chocolate, exercise; It has been eerily calm ever since late yesterday and not a breath of wind here at 30+ nm offshore as we make tracks towards Cape Fear under a starry sky, a small following sea and temps in the low 60’s. An interesting night with something just not feeling quite right ever since the sun set. I do believe we crossed into the Bermuda triangle but will need to confirm on land. Cannon fire/bombs??, naval warships on the VHF, a missing boat, some squalls to the East (forcing us to better learn what those little knobs on the radar do - gain, tune, and clutter.) Some fresh baked bread for dinner (no small task with a boat pitching, flour flying and head spinning!). Steve and I took some preventative motion sickness pills with hallucinations at this stage moderate. “Otto” steering a straight and true course as it is good to be back in the routine - writing, reading, navigating, driving, sleeping… reset…reset…reset….

1648 – I can’t see land… awesome!!!!!

The newest route photo and a photographic tour of Oriental - Click to enlarge

Notice the name of the boat here!!