Harmon and Randall's Voyage…

Leg 3, Blog 10, June 29, 2025, From Horta to Madiera

With 325 miles to go until we reach Madiera, we are officially past the half-way point of this mini-leg. It’s been a long 48 hours since we left Horta. As we approach the continent of Africa and with our SE heading, we have left the North-Atlantic and entered the Mid-Atlantic some time ago – the point where our latitude matches that of the US continent.

To be honest, there is no “Mid-Atlantic” ocean, with the term “Mid-Atlantic” is reserved for the geographic region within the US. At sea, there is only the North Atlantic Ocean, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the South Atlantic Ocean south of the equator.

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge ABOVE (the thin wavy blue “line” you can see snaking between the continents) is located on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the longest mountain ridge in the world and separates the North American from the Eurasian and African plate, and are you ready for this? Just south of the ridge where we are is the AZORES TRIPLE JUNCTION!! which explains the abnormally high volcanic activity in the Azores. The ridge is mostly underwater, but it does rise above sea level at Iceland. https://www.britannica.com/place/Mid-Atlantic-Ridge

Anyway, we are at present, “stuck” in what I will call the Mid-Atlantic high pressure area that I have circled ABOVE. As noted in previous blogs, being in the middle of a high pressure system = no wind, so we are merrily motoring along in 97 degree heat (inside temperature). The boat is somewhat hotter than the ambient outside temperature due to the “greenhouse” effect of warmer air trapped inside plus the heat our most lovely and important engine generates.

In fairness, Randall did give me the option of leaving Horta one day later which would have allowed the high pressure system to abate giving us the ability to sail the entire distance at good speed. Being the impatient person that I am, I politely declined the offer to extend our embarkation because other islands and adventures await us. But dang it’s hot and certainly not as much fun motoring.

Here is the Pico Volcano at sunset – we were about 100 miles past it when I took this picture. This volcano, which is Portugal’s highest peak, is located on the island next to Horta. https://www.viator.com/tours/Pico/Climb-Pico-Mountain/d50346-275106P4?gclsrc=aw.ds&&m=28353&supag=161357075234&supsc=dsa-1583450326707&supai=698324262696&supdv=c&supnt=g&suplp=1005493&supli=20881&supti=dsa-1583450326707&tsem=true&supci=dsa-1583450326707&supap1=&supap2=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20984180123&gbraid=0AAAAAD-gbd7bR1lAVE4T-BKq0g2ACdMf-&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyIPDBhDBARIsAHJyyVh-ZicBZm5uSXhXk-InHUA-uv_oMksXLipxVcAa1SGzAv-hL_StzN0aAhW8EALw_wcB

As heat rises and the wind calms, not much else to do on my watch but to explore the clouds overhead.

Whoops! But if I spend too much time daydreaming in the clouds, I forget that even out in the middle of the ocean, there are many hazards with which to be aware. Commercial traffic always has the right-of-way over a sailboat. As my brother Abe would say, “An accident at sea can ruin your whole day”.

Above is last night’s dinner: Vegi-schnitzel, canned chili, fresh made cole-slaw with pan-roasted potatoes.

Last night, as the sunset, Randall spotted a lone sailboat way in the distance. We picked up its signal, but it did not seem to be moving much at all. Was it in distress?

With my iPhone on full telephoto, I could capture the boat in the distance. Hmmm, it appears that all of her sails are up. Ok..now we figured it out – this boat was SAILING albeit at a slow speed. They chose to enjoy their present, almost becalmed status, while we powered on.

I used to come into my 6:00AM watch with the sun already up. But it seems that as we progress south and east, it is now coming up at the beginning of my watch.

It is getting harder to maintain sleep during the heat. Can’t wait to see how crossing the equator will be! But watching the sunrise always brings me to clarity.

Happy anniversary on June 30th to, well, me (and my wife Jorun). It’s been 34 wonderful years (when I am not out at sea, of course). We are all familiar with Dog Years, do you know there are also Sea Years? You take the number of years that you have been married, subtract the years out at sea, and then subtract the years you dream of being out at sea. So we have actually been married for a total of 12 years (practically newlyweds). What a terrible husband I make, but I am having fun so thank you dear for these amazing years. I promise I will make it up to you someday!