18 – WHALES!

At 0240 I was up for anchor watch. I was really tired but I like anchor watch. We check the wind direction, wind speed and we also check our bearings on the compass. At 0430 I was back in my bunk getting more sleep. Breakfast was at 0620 because B watch (my watch) was on deck for 6 hours first this morning. The coolest thing happened today! I was steering at the helm, and we saw whales!! I was also on lookout and I saw a whale breech about 5 miles off the port bow. The seas were a bit rough today. Started out about 2-4 foot swells with light rain. Then at 1300 the seas got to be about 7 feet with heavy rain and force 7 winds. (Good thing I was off watch and sleeping in my bunk at this time). We dropped anchor at 1620 in a bay. Another amazing thing was whales were 10 feet off our port stern! We were learning about sail theory and two whales take a breath at the surface behind us. This was so cool. Before dinner I got to take a shower and it was refreshing…it was a “Navy shower” of course. For dinner we had butternut squash soup, salad and bread. The bread is made by the steward Shelby. It is made fresh and it comes out so warm, and the butter she makes for it is delicious. After dinner we had a watch meeting talking about what the offshore sailing is going to look like. Tomorrow I start watch at 1900-0100. I am super excited to experience night sailing! I just finished a cup of hot chocolate and I am sitting on deck looking at the light house off the port bow. I find this light house to be cool because it spins the light around in a circle! I also I notice the sky is super clear and the stars are beautiful. Again today was another full day of intense sailing. I am heading to my bunk in a bit to get some rest before watch.