As Promised. A Dolphin Photo.

I love dolphins.  That is all.

Moments.

I’ve had moments in my time at sea.  Moments that just burn themselves into my brain. The kind of moment where everything felt all wrong and then magically everything feels right.

Sometimes it’s something I see, sometimes it’s someone I meet, sometimes it’s just a feeling.  Sometimes I’m with shipmates and sometimes I’m alone.

Most times, I don’t share them.  These moments are often times indescribable.  No photo could possibly do it justice.  Plus, sometimes these moments just feel too personal.

Yesterday, I had a moment.  Except it wasn’t deeply personal, and it wasn’t super emotional and, I did capture it in a photo.

I’ve seen many rainbows in my life.  I grew up in Hawaii and we have many, many sunny and rainy days.  That being said, no one in Hawaii takes a rainbow in stride.  We love them.  I mean, who doesn’t love a rainbow right?  In fact, I’ve seen many different kinds of rainbows.  I’ve seen moonbows at night (not the kind that is a circle around the moon but an actual arc across the sky from the bright light of the moon) – thank you Waimea.  I’ve seen white rainbows (this one is in the shape of a rainbow but is pure white) – thank you Mauna Kea.  I love rainbows because they leave you feeling loved.  They leave you feeling looked after.  They leave you feeling like you live in a beautiful world.

As I stood my bridge watch yesterday I could see a bit of a squall up ahead.  It was a mostly cloudy day and I could see the distinct line of rain on the horizon.  The wind picked up and water droplets began to blow across the deck.  Just then the sun came out from the clouds astern of us.  A small rainbow developed on the horizon.  Nothing major – just a bit of color.

Before I knew it a full rainbow had formed dead ahead.  The full rainbow quickly turned into a double rainbow.  I was scrambling around trying to snap a picture while getting blown around and rained on.

It just got bigger and bigger and brighter and brighter.  I ran to the port side of the bridge to get a picture of the brightest end of the rainbow and the rainbow literally grew even bigger.

The rainbow formed a full arc.  It was a perfect circle around the ship.  I have never, ever seen a rainbow on the water.

I was able to capture a photo showing the circular-ness of it.

A double full circle rainbow.  I've never even heard of something like that.

Before I knew it, the rainbow was gone.

I was left thrumming - with excitment and energy.

I stood on the bridge wing knowing that my pictures weren’t going to accurately show how bright the colors were, or how distinct the double rainbow was, or how the same circular action was happening on the starboard side.  I was never going to be able to show someone that I just sailed a ship through a perfect circle of a rainbow in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Listen, when you start a 30 day ocean crossing at day 30 of your rotation it is majorly a different thing than starting a 30 day ocean crossing at day 90 of your rotation (my current situation).  I would challenge the sanest of humans to feel stable at this stage.  I’m two weeks from land.  Two weeks from land.  Every single morning I feel like I’m getting on the struggle bus.  I’m devoid of energy.

To have a moment - when feeling so depleted - just reminds you that you're exactly where you need to be at this exact moment in time.  That feeling of rightness lets you draw on reserves you didn't know you had.

I’ll take energy anywhere I can get it and, if I can get it from sailing a ship through a perfect circle double rainbow in the middle of the Pacific Ocean then I’m going to call it a moment and, I’m going to assume that someone loves me and is looking out for me.

Soup Tea.

Nautie Friends, this is called Soup Tea.  Yes.  Soup Tea. It was purchased in Korea and had all the promising of a tasty shipboard treat – instant soup if you felt like skipping a meal.

It basically tasted like pureed Corn Pops mixed with Kix…with some corn flakes thrown in there for texture.

It was strange.  I ate it all.

I'm keeping things light and fluffy around here until I get my head back in the game.  I know you understand!

Reveling In It.

Nautie Friends, I realize I’ve been a bit distant lately.  It seems that when I have a lot on my mind I have a hard time putting something down in writing.  Who knew? Being back to sea is actually quite lovely and it turns out I missed it more than I realized.

I’ve reveled in it.  The Quiet.  The Coffee.  The Camera Time.

Here’s a brief look at what I’ve been up to.

Coffee time.  I decided a long time ago that I was going to write all about my coffee maker.  I haven’t been able to do so.  This purchase was so extravagant and unnecessary that I’m almost embarrassed to write about it.  Without any further elaboration, I brought aboard a mini espresso machine and a milk frother.  ‘Nuff said.

Cargo Holds.  I’ve been crawling around in the dark over crates and steel.  Sometimes I stop and take a selfie - so that I can remember when I’m 90 that at one point in my life I was fairly agile.  I say fairly because I’m pretty far from nimbly bimbly.

Big Bertha.  She came out to play a few days ago in a major way.  There is a dolphin photo to prove it.  I will post it.  I will.

Drain Clearing.  Our scuppers are clogged.  Apparently, when you shove a glove in a hole the hole gets plugged (ahem, that’s what she said).  We have spent copious amounts of time clearing out the scuppers – they’ve been filled with everything from gloves, saw dust, paint chips, bottles, cigarette butts.  It’s been quite the undertaking.

Sunshine.  There were quite a few days after our departure where things were looking quite gloomy.  Then, there was sunshine and, it was enjoyed.

When I said The Coffee.  I meant it.  There has been lots of coffee.  You would think that since I was taking a photo for the blog I’d wipe the freaking rim of my mug…nope.  Isn’t that swirly action pretty?  Coffee, swirly foam, sunshine and, the ocean.  Bliss.

Open Ocean and Persimmons

I woke up this morning and headed to the bridge – it felt good.  Nothing beats a pastel morning sky.

Nautie Friends, this good vessel has been in port for 18 of the last 21 days.  To say there was an audible sigh of relief as we cast our lines off yesterday would be an understatement.

Granted, gearing up for 20+ days of open ocean brings a whole new set of challenges.  Especially, when said sea time comes when the entire crew has over 90 days aboard.  The number one way to not go crazy during a long sea passage is to mentally gear up….and then stay busy.

I’m mentally gearing up.  I’m building to do lists.  I’m not letting myself make any plans at home (normally, by this time in the rotation I have my whole vacation planned).  I’m listening to music I enjoy.  I’m organizing photos.  I’m reading a good book.  I’m trying to motivate myself to resume my evening walks.  I’m dodging fishing gear in the Sea of Japan.

I'm eating persimmons on the bridge wing.

It's good to be...

....Chief Mate sometimes. Like when you're tired and come out on deck first thing in the morning to undock and make up the tugs....

....and you bring your coffee with you....

....and no one says anything about it or calls you a douche bag.