Tri for the Y - Time to play outdoors!!!

Hi All!!!!

Time to get out into the outdoors and get some exercise!! (as if crossing the Atlantic weren't enough).

I have entered the Tri for the Y and am looking to raise at least $100 by (this) Sunday May 15th to help the Y continue helping people and building communities. I'm asking at least 10 people to pledge $10 to reach that goal.

I can't think of a better way to help raise money for an organization that does so much to help the community and I am proud to swim, bike and run for the cause. 
...
Click on this link to Donate and help any way you can!  You'll find additional details about the event on that page in case you'd like to come and cheers us on!

And just to give you a sneak peak of things to come I've registered to swim for the Y's biggest fund raiser of the year, the 2.4 mile PEAKS TO PORTLAND swim in Casco Bay on July 16th

Your ever grateful outdoor enthusiast!

Jonathan

Calm on the open ocean. May 1st!!

Contrary to what I used to believe the open ocean can be an intensely tranquil place.  Less than 270 miles to Bermuda and the wind has died, becalmed as it were. But for the low drone of the diesel below decks the boat is very peaceful at the moment.  A gentle swell rocks us slowly back and forth as it passes under us abeam, a gentle sway lulling us into a sleepy reverie.  

The sun sits high overhead beating down with a light breeze to break the stifling heat. Still no fish to be had.  We wait in quiet anticipation of the quick whine of line unfurling furiously from the reel, a sure sign fresh fish to dine upon.

The First Mate and I have been taking Sun sightings with a sextant and plotting our course over the open ocean, after all what would you do if all the power went down...

Fabulous beef stew for dinner last evening followed by breakfast wraps of egg and cheese with turkey bacon accompanied by fresh fruit salad of island pineapple, mango and bananas. Life at sea is not such a hardship at times, in fact it is downright beautiful.  The solitude and silence is astounding.

Showered this morning for the first time in 3 days and even enjoyed hot water! Easier said than done as waiting for calm conditions is paramount to surviving a shower without being tossed about like so much loose cargo.  Do you take your daily bathing ritual for granted? :-).

Expecting to arrive in Bermuda sometime during the day on Tuesday to take on fuel and provisions. After that is anyone’s guess as to our departure; there is a system coming up the coast which threatens to keep us sheltered up in shore waiting for a break in the weather.  A fresh forecast in 2 days time will reveal more.

May 1st!!! A third of the year passed already. So looking forward to arriving back in Maine in time for the summer season, trees full of life and flowers blooming.  A forward report tells me the magnolias are blooming.

Will be full busy catching up with family and friends after a warm season away in the tropics, can’t wait to see you all!!

Have a wonderful day!

from
27 degrees   42.64 minutes North
063 degrees 58.79 minutes West

JD Paine