After twenty-something days and almost 3,000 miles we have about twenty four hours before we make landfall in Hiva Oa. The ETA on the GPS has gone from 18-22 days over the course of the trip but it is now staying right around the one day mark, with 220 miles left to go.
The equator crossing came and went with some champagne, salt water dousing and a toast to Neptune to give us good South East trade winds, which he did. The past 3 days have been pretty steady at 17-20 knots of wind and a boat speed of 7-9 knots. With the high wind and boat speed comes the bigger swells and movement of the boat. I woke up today sore for the first time in a while but the sooner we get there the sooner we can rest and get a full night of sleep.
It has been a great crossing. There have been shooting stars, lots of lost lures, and even some creativity with duct tape on my chest to spell out Delos with a good old sunburn. It is going to be interesting to put shoes and a shirt on again and shave this strange patch of hair trying to grow on my face. Not that I have another Pacific Ocean crossing to compare it to but being out here, alone, with nothing to do has been really relaxing. You are forced to relax. Usually after about three weeks of visiting my brother and Erin it is time to pack up and fly home. Not this time. As great as this experience has been I know it is only going to get better. We are just getting started.