The Baja sailing race

Today, we are going into Turtle Bay after 3 days and nights of motoring and sailing. I had my second taste of night watch. It was exactly like I thought it was, boring. Unless your on helm, there's nothing much to do except watch movies and prepare tea. If your on helm, all you do is look at the radar and contemplate your navel. In other words, sit and do nothing.

I prefer the helping watch. My favorite is when the sun comes up and turns the sky gold and pink. There's a freshness to the air that you can't get at sunset.

Before the race began, there was a Halloween party. We won 4th place in the Unique division. We went as signal flags that spelled, ADIOS on the front and SEEYA on the back. There were about 7 kids there. Naturally, we all split in to a kid pack, away from the adults. There's something special about being in a kid pack at an adult party. Just as we can't drink beer and say nasty jokes, they can't race around the parking lot playing ball with people they never met. We get to be free and open without committing to friendship. Its instant and unquestionable, the kids in one group.

And thats very special, belonging anywhere.

Mera Conger

s/v Don Quixote

The Wild Wild Life

My wildlife expierences have been sooooo satisfactory. Let me give
you a list:
I've walked by bears,
Ridden past a million sea lions,
And seals.
Not to mention more seals.

I've had 2 orca whales go under my boat,
And 2 humpbacks go alongside it.
Plus, a humpback jumped straight out of the
water right in front of us!

I've seen 500 pelicans dive around us.

But the most incredible experience besides
the whale is when dolphins rode for
half an hour in front of our boat,
under our boat, and along our boat.
A whole pod!

Yet with all this stuff in the sea,
We have only caught 2 fish.

Whats up with that?

Anyway, speaking of eating,
Mom's sourdough bread is getting better.
She says, 'That's wildlife! Yeast is a really nice beast.'

As we're heading to Mexico,
it's getting hotter and I'm getting
my first taste of night watch.
What you do is stuff yourself full
of sweet stuff and tell your parents
it's because you have to stay awake.

Other than that it is boring. It is not a wild wild life.

~ Mera #2 sailing kid on s/v Don Quixote