Harmon and Randall's Voyage…

Leg 3, Blog 20, August 3, 2025 – Latitude 2 South!

While Johnny Cash might have “Walked the Line”, Randall and I sailed the line – or sailed over the line to be more specific. It has been a long time coming, and today was a momentous one on Mōli for two reasons: We crossed the equator (me for the first time) and Randall celebrated his birthday. Let’s start from the beginning of the day.

Above: Birthday Boy gets French Toast for breakfast (made from last nights Challa). There is a backstory here. For those who recall last year as we were sailing the Northwest Passage, I clumsily forgot Randall’s birthday. Randall, of course, downplayed the incident by saying he is offshore most birthdays (that means alone), so he is not in the habit of birthday celebrations. Anyway, my bad, and I swore not to let it happen the next time.

Above: Only thing better than French Toast is birthday cake (chocolate). Randall, true to form, winced when I sang “Happy Birthday”.

Our day was off to a good start and now that the birthday libations were concluding, crossing the equator was on our mind. Due to our pacing, the crossing would not take place until early evening so we had some time to plan.

Above: Not the most exciting video we have produced, but this shows Randall completing his prep of Mōli as we prepare for an upcoming squall.

Above: The squall is just beginning to hit us. As you can see, Randall has already reefed the main in preparation and is looking out for more incoming severe weather. I, on the other hand am sensing an opportunity as we enter the squall and the wind is blowing and rain is pouring….

Above and Below: To prepare for the sacred crossing of the equator, I pull of my shirt and take the ritual bath offered by Neptune in advance of our meeting. At first the rain and wind feel cold so I want to escape into the boat. But then I come to my senses as I realized that just minutes ago, it was 85 degrees and almost 100% humidity and I was so hot and sweaty and begging for relief.

Above: It is now just past 1900 and we can see the GPS monitor behind me (our modern day sextant) clicking down the minutes. In anticipation of the crossing, I am dressed in my best Pollywog outfit suitable for sailors who have never crossed the equator and who are ready to pay homage to Neptune’s court. Randall, of course, has been admitted to the Ancient Order of the Deep long ago, so no such obligation on his part.

Above: We countdown the latitude minutes and seconds as they rapidly tick by. I request that Randall “slow down and calm the boat” for this momentous occasion but Mōli and Randall are having none of it. I then understand the craziness of the request – we are all (well I am not quite yet!) initiated sailors on board and our course must continue.

Above: In my outfit shrouded by the flag of Cape Verde and ritual necklaces (our last stop) I offer the following words: “King Neptune, ruler of the seas, we honor you as we prepare to cross this sacred line into the Southern hemisphere and ask for your blessing in our continued sailing. We are your humble servants and offer you libations in return for your protection.”

Above: The libation I offer Randall is from the Island of Madeira (from two stops ago). I asked the proprietor of the shop for her finest wine. She handed me this one and I almost fell to the floor. You can see the initials at the top of the label as they read M.O.B. (she did not know I was a sailor). In sailing vernacular M.O.B. means Man-Over-Board! How did she know?? Clearly, one of Neptune’s minions must have told her.

Above: In the presentation of my gift to Randall, I let it be known that as long as the M.O.B. wine is not opened while we are on board, Neptune promises that no man shall go over.

Above and Below: At first light of dawn, Randall and I mark the occasion of crossing the equator by the old tradition of putting a note in a bottle and tossing it overboard. The seas can take the bottle north, south, east or west. We look forward to finding out which way the oceans move. Note to self and family and friends: Crossing the equator turns the crosser into a “shellback”. I offered Randall the opportunity that at our next stop, we would both get turtle tattoos, but Randall (thankfully) declined my generous offer.

Well, here we are at the end of a long day. The Northern hemisphere is now behind us and we are in a new ocean. Please let me introduce you to the South Atlantic…..

Happenings:

Tomorrow is the Yahrzeit (anniversary of the passing) of my dear sister Katharine. I still miss you and love you to this day.