Day 2 November 16, 2009
Entering the Gulf Stream
38 19 N latitude, 68 58 W longitude

Today began gray, but without fog; a terrific improvement over yesterday. And then about mid day the gray overcast burned off, replaced by bright sun and blue skies with just a few clouds ahead in the Gulf Stream. The 100% humidity and fog (felt more like 150%) that we left Jamestown in has diminished and we are drying out. Yesterday every surface was wet: walls, floors, mirrors. While we still have lumpy seas and big rollers, the wild sea conditions have subsided somewhat. We have been motoring since Jamestown, but the wind is beginning to fill in. Perhaps we can sail later today.

We have been eating very well, and certainly not because we have a dedicated chef. Kim brought homemade mushroom/potato/leek soup, butternut squash soup, and apple/raisin crumble, which we have all eaten with relish. Tonight we’re having her sautéed zucchini and peppers with brown/wild rice and Mahi sautéed in garlic & onions. Don’t you wish you were here?

Leo caught a Mahi Mahi just before lunch, so Peter decided that he would first have lunch, then clean the Mahi Mahi on the aft deck and finally have a bath to clean up. So that’s what he did! Leo raised the first fish flag, a Mahi Mahi, on the port courtesy halyard. The score is now Jake and Leo 1, Peter and Chris 0. That might mean a record for swimming at the furthest north point in any of our trips: 38 degrees 28.25 N latitude, 69 degrees 06.48 W longitude. Unfortunately we can’t confirm the previous record until we get home, but this one will be held by Peter, barely ahead of Leo, Jake and Chris.

We expect to be in the Gulf Stream for about 8 hours, which puts us on the other side before midnight tonight. The current air is 69 and the water temperature is74. We are all really enjoying this fine weather. Compared to last year when we had to wear long underwear; winter hats, coats, and gloves; sea boots and foul weather gear well south of Bermuda, wearing short sleeves and swim suits is wonderful!

We are trying to upload a photo to Ben. If we are successful, the picture is of Kim and Chris smiling through the fog. We will send more if it works!

All the best from the crew of Avalanche, eating our way south.

Chris Powell sent me some shots of avalanche leaving the dock Sunday morning. I was actually up and out shooting the sunrise in Narragansett and got to Jamestown an hour late… If you want to see how big the waves were that morning, check out my shots here (they were huge!).

Thanks Chris!

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