Our position now (Aug 4, 2:45PM PDT) is latitude 40deg 37min N, longitude 151deg 58min W. We are motorsailing at about 6 knots on a course of 070deg True (a little north of due east).
As far as I’m concerned, we have pierced into the heart of the Pacific High. Close enough, anyway, that the wind has dropped to below 4 knots. Our instruments don’t measure well at these low wind speeds because the rocking of the mast-top (where the anenometer is) creates more “wind” than there actually is. By looking at the ripples on the water we know there is *some* wind, but not enough to sail with.
So, since around 10:00AM we have been motorsailing. There is occasionally enough wind to fill the sails and give us an extra push, and when there isn’t enough wind the sails help keep us from rocking in the swells. We are flying the main and staysail, but have furled the genoa, which was hanging limply. The battens in the main help it hold a shape, and the staysail can be sheeted toight to keep it stretched.
The forecasts show us getting more wind than we have, but this is hardly an exact science (as we know all too well). We will sail when we can, and motor when we must.
We do have company, though. Several types of birds visit us from time to time, and one small dark one landed in the cockpit last knight and kept Davey company for several hours. We also had a small school of dolphins swim by for a while this morning. These were larger than yesterday’s, but there were only perhaps four in the school. They lest us after a few minutes. We haven’t seen any “alien space spore jellyfish things” today, but in there place are millions (literally!) of “By The Wind Sailors”, a small jellyfish-kind-of-thing with a sail. They dot the ocean as far as the eye can see, sometimes densely and other times sparsely.
Newsflash! 3:00 PM PDT: John has sighted a ship on the horizon to the north. It is black, with a white superstructure, Our AIS receiver (don’t ask, unless you want a long and boring dissertation from Paul) indicates that we are on roughly parallel courses, it is travelling at 12 kts, and she will pass us in about 35 minutes at a distance of six or seven miles. Her name is “Lady Madonna”, fron Japan and heading to Cedros Island, Mexico, for a cargo of soap (?). We just spoke with her on the VHF to say hello (and to make sure she saw us).
The temperature continues to get cooler. During the day we are still in shorts and t-shirts (or no shirt — just lifejacket), but for evening watch the recommended attire includes long pants.
Dinner last night was Mahi-Mahi Teriyaki over jasmine rice. The previous evening we had spaghetti with sausages sliced into the sauce. Tonight, Paul has threatened to make chicken enchiladas. Breakfast today was scrambled eggs with sausage. We intend to reach port with all food consumed, which means we will have to eat a *lot* of rice.

Until Tomorrow,
VALIS
Attached photos: A Dolphin escort, Buzzed by a Bird, and a “By The Wind Sailor”