11 March 2006
We have left Ensenada Muertos, heading for the set of islands in the Gulf of Panama, called Islas Perlas. A mixed set of light winds and no winds means we will motor sail more than we will sail. The coastline of Panama is off in the distance, some 12 miles visual. As we pass several anchorages that look interesting we make notes, for possibly returning in the future.
The days are warm and the evenings pleasant. We are accustomed to a routine of the Captain being on watch during most of the daylight hours, getting a respite from 10 to noon and 3 to 6pm when the girls are on watch. Then, we all share a meal together before the Captain resumes his watch in the evening. The First Mate is charged with preparing most of the meals and sleeping throughout the day so she is ready to do the midnight to 0400 or 0600. We call that stint, the o-dark-hundred watch.
Quite often the Captain does not sleep much on the first day, by the second day he sleeps more and by the third day, he is doing less watch hours, and gets more sleep. During all our passages, the girls are doing their school work. Having home schooled for five years, the girls work independently with intermittent assistance. During this passage, they will be taking Test Lesson 100. We are over half way through the school year.
We find that being flexible with the watch schedule and the chores while underway, is tempered by the type of seas and conditions we face. If one or more of us is seasick, everything is done to adjust schedules to favor she who is down under. If the seas are calm, then a meal is prepared as it would be on land, from scratch. If the seas are rough, out comes the ramen, packaged mac 'n cheese, or cold cereal.
Tonight, we enjoyed a meal of homemade bread, salad, Greek Moussaka, and slices of leftover Rum Poppyseed Cake.