Day 3: Sailing Into the Groove
Well, I made it through another night, and I'm still afloat, so that's a win. Last night was a tiny bit better than the first one—mainly because I'm learning to work with Stargazer instead of against her. Also, my body seems to be adjusting to this bizarre sleep schedule of 20-30 minute naps broken up by alarms. That said, I'm still feeling like a sleep-deprived zombie, but at least I'm a functional one.
Around 2 AM, the wind decided to play games again. It picked up fast, and I had to scramble to reef the sails in pitch darkness. Picture me out there in my harness, gripping lines while waves splash over the deck, mumbling half-curses, half-prayers. Fun times. By the time I got everything under control, I was soaked, freezing, and questioning all my life choices. But when the adrenaline settled, there was this weird sense of accomplishment, like, I can do this. I AM doing this.
Morning reset: The sun came up around 6:30, painting the ocean in soft pinks and golds, and suddenly, all the drama from the night felt worth it. There's something magical about mornings out here—just you, the boat, and the world slowly waking up around you. I made myself a victory cup of instant coffee (yes, again), sat in the cockpit, and just soaked it all in.
Progress report: I'm officially 150 nautical miles south of California, which puts me solidly on my way to Cabo San Lucas. At this pace, I'm looking at about 5-6 more days, give or take. The wind has been steady today—about 12 knots from the northwest—which is perfect for Stargazer. We're cruising along at a comfortable 5-6 knots, sails trimmed just right, and everything feels… balanced.
Today's highlights:
• Nature's surprises: Mid-morning, I spotted a sea turtle just chilling on the surface. It gave me this slow, lazy look like, What's your rush, human? Later, I saw what I'm 90% sure was a flying fish launch itself out of the water and glide like some kind of ocean superhero. Honestly, the wildlife out here is better entertainment than anything Netflix has to offer.
• Boat chores: Fun fact: living on a boat means constant maintenance. I spent part of the afternoon tightening a loose bolt on the boom and re-organizing my cabin because everything tends to migrate when the boat is moving. Also, my fresh water jug decided to spring a tiny leak, so I had to patch it up with duct tape. Note to self: buy better jugs in Cabo.
• Lunch upgrade: Today's meal was slightly less sad—canned tuna mixed with mayo (from a tube, because boat life), slapped on some crackers. Fancy, right? I even treated myself to a square of chocolate for dessert. It's the little things out here.
The quiet moments: One thing about solo sailing—there's a lot of time to think. Like, a lot. I caught myself staring at the horizon for what felt like hours, just letting my mind wander. Part of me is already missing the noise of normal life—friends, music, random conversations. But another part of me is loving the quiet, the stillness, the way time seems to stretch out when you're out here.
Tonight's plan: More interrupted sleep, of course. The wind is supposed to stay steady, so I shouldn't need to adjust much, but I'll still be keeping my usual watch. I've started naming the stars to entertain myself. There's one super bright one just off the bow that I'm calling "Cabo Beacon," even though I'm sure it's not actually pointing me to Cabo. Hey, when you're alone at sea, you make your own fun.
I've also been keeping an eye on the radar for other boats, but so far, nothing. Just me and the open ocean. It's both comforting and a little unnerving, like I'm the last human left on Earth.
Countdown to Cabo: If all goes well, I'll be in Mexican waters by Friday or Saturday. I'm looking forward to my first real landfall—stepping onto solid ground, eating something that isn't canned or pre-packaged, and maybe even meeting a few other sailors. But until then, it's just me, Stargazer, and the sea.
Alright, time to grab some tea, double-check the sails, and settle in for another night under the stars. I'll check back in tomorrow with more updates from this crazy, amazing journey. Catch you later!