Another overnight journey…
Ted speaking here from the helm:
Tonight, instead of heading toward a beautiful new anchorage in paradise to snorkel with whale sharks and tropical fish, we’re driving it like we stole it and making tracks for a hideout like we just robbed a candy store.
There’s a beautiful full moon tonight. I forgive it for washing out most of the stars because it’s also lighting up the water enough for me to see the swells before they occasionally crash over our bow or send salty spray my way.
Normally, I love the 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. watch. There’s something incredible about being alone at the helm in the middle of the night. Far from cities and light pollution, the stars remind me of how I imagine God originally designed the world to be experienced.
Tonight, though, the moon stole most of them.
Oddly enough, I’m not anxious because I’m sailing at night. I’m not worried about being alone at the helm, deep water, rocky headlands, or even our compromised engine needing a mechanic’s TLC.
I’m anxious because, in a little over two days, Hurricane Polo is expected to cross Baja south of us.
This is our first hurricane rodeo.
We’re heading for a well-known hurricane hole, but so are a lot of other sailboats. And there’s an old saying among sailors:
You’re only as safe as the boat anchored next to you.
That’s a humbling thought.
Thankfully, we have incredible mentors who know these waters, friends already waiting there, and a cruising community full of people who will give their time, tools, spare parts, food, or whatever else another sailor needs.
For now, the bow points north, the moon lights the way, and we keep moving… hopefully toward safer waters.
If you want to follow Crescendo’s progress, our live map is here:
https://sailingcrescendo.com/map/
It’ll auto-update as our Starlink connection allows.
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