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Tuesday, October 29th, 2024
Position (Lat and Long): 37°49.5’N 072° 00.3’W
Log (nm):  1515.4 nm
Weather / Wind and Sail Plan:  S/SE Force 5 winds, 3-4ft waves, upcoming rain, sailing under the 4 lowers (Mainsail, Main-staysail, Fore-staysail, and Jib) trimmed on a beam reach on a starboard tack
Description of where we are sailing: Leaving the Gulf Stream, 165nm East of the Chincoteague Bay, MD

Today began early at 0030 with a wakeup for dawn watch. Unfortunately I wasn’t all there because I fell back asleep till 0052 when I was re-awoken. This time I got up and headed for the lab, ultimately being 5 minutes late to being 10 minutes early because on time is late. From that point on, Aiden, Aubie, Sophia and I worked through our morning in the lab, fighting off sleep with conversations about Bigfoot and ghosts. We processed a very crabby Neuston tow, picking out some cool critters like glass eels, lobster larvae, myctophids, and other mysterious organisms of the Gulf Stream. Speaking of, we re-entered the Gulf Stream today after crossing a gap between a switchback. Today is likely our last day of warm weather so we are all trying hard to soak up as much warmth and sunshine as possible. Once we exit the Gulf Stream we will continue North to Woods Hole where we’ll wrap up things on shore. After dawn watch, I settled down for another 4 hours of sleep before lunch. After that, I worked on my project, looked at new marine debris data, worked on my Oceans and Societies journal, and prepared to be JWO for a second time around, this time for 6 hours- a full watch. I have night watch tonight from 1900-0100 and I’m ready to JWO again. I struggled to find the fun last time and hopefully I change my mind. Just before this, I admired a beautiful double rainbow and a sunset. I’ve come to appreciate both sunsets and sunrises on this trip, but there’s something special about seeing the world light up as you stand on deck.

As we make way back to Woods Hole, I’ve been doing lots of reflecting. It’s a bittersweet feeling to be so near to the end. On one hand, I miss my family, friends, pets, my big bed, eating whatever I want, not rocking 24/7, music, showering every day, and everything else that comes with being on land. On the other hand, my once in a lifetime experience is coming to an end. I’ve made new friends, explored the oceans, learned to be a sailor, seen Baltimore, gone phone-free for 2 months, tried new food, become a scientist, seen peoples true colors, made endless memories, and truly pushed the limits of my comfort zone all things I will be forever grateful for.

As I close off this blog, I just want to say thank you to my Mom and Dad for supporting me all this way. The opportunities I have are truly special and I think sometimes I forget to say thank you. I try not to take things for granted but sometimes I just forget. This trip has shown me so much and allowed me to see myself and everything I love in a new light. I know this is getting sappy but it’s true.  I love you guys endlessly and I can’t wait to see you all soon. I also want to say I love you to Lily, Maisy, Luna, Nana, Papa, Grampy, Pablo, Grammy Jane and Meme. I look forward to catching up with all of you.

-Dylan M., A-Watch
PS to family and friends.

Olivia K.,- Hi Family, I am so jealous you get to watch the World Series right now :l I hope the Yankees are losing but I also hope the Dodgers are losing too. I hate both of them. Anyways, Mom, Dad, and Nate: I can’t wait to go to Boston with you guys when I get back YAYYAYAYAYYAYA!! I’m SO EXHAUSTED and feel like a zombie. And mom please tell Stella+Dija+ Lauren, Sage+Adalina, Hannah (Sue), and Tyliegh that I love them and miss them all so much and I’ll talk to them soon!

Reagan L.- Dear mom and dad hi

Virginia A.- Love you Mom + Dad! Miss you Ellie can’t wait to meet all your PA friends!!