Almost There

Date: 07/21      
Noon to noon run: 160NM
Time of position: 18:00
Lat/Lon: 17 deg 44.88'N 155 deg 12.72'W
Course: 312 deg Mag
Current Speed: 7+ Kt.
Next and final Waypoint: 21 deg 17.98'N; 158 deg 08.70'W
                   Near barber's Point, Oahu Is.
                    268NM distance
Synopsis: Anticipation of seeing the island of Hawaii is growing even though we are still over 100Nm out from it. Having tucked the second reef into the main last night, just before sunset, we have been beam reaching with it and a partially furled genoa ever since. According to our chart plotter's ETA calculator we should be passing our waypoint off the SE point of the Big Island about 3AM. After that we still have 200Nm to go to our final destination near Barber's Point, Oahu, which is now the waypoint we are aiming for. We have been close reaching to beam reaching for 2 weeks now, since leaving Tikihau atoll in the Tuamotus and we are all looking forward to lighter winds and flatter conditions. Even so, we still have 90NM of open ocean to traverse (67 to the above mentioned point and another 20 miles of parallel coast line) before passing into the lee of the Hawaiian Islands. We are close, but not yet there.

Of stars, constellations, and the Heavenly Night Sky When Music was at Tahiti and Moorea, about 16 degrees south,  we could not see Polaris, or North Star. In fact we could not even see most of the Big Dipper which points to Polaris. But, what we could see, big, and bold, and beautiful, and filled with majesty was The Southern Cross.

It is now 23:00 on July 20 and we are crossing 16 degrees North on our way to the Hawaiian Islands which start at 18 degrees North. I have not been able to see The Southern Cross for several nights now. It appears that at this time of year at this latitude it is too low on the horizon to be seen. I miss it already. But in its place is the complete Big Dipper, Polaris, Cassiopeia and a host of other constellations which I haven't seen for months. Seeing the heavenly bodies of the northern hemisphere summer sky is like seeing an old friend. The acquaintance picks up where you last left it.

Gazing back to the Southern Hemisphere one constellation I can still see, and will be able to enjoy for several more weeks while on our way north, is Scorpio. And like The Southern Cross it too is big, and bold, and beautiful, and filled with majesty. When I lose sight of Scorpio I have no idea When I shall see the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere again. Or even if I will ever see them again. But I have at least enjoyed them for a while. I will miss them more than I can say. Silly isn't it! Or maybe not.

Cheers,

John