Post 19

Red sky at morning - not good!

As we navigate through the Atlantic, towards the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, a mesmerizing sight greets me at daybreak—an ominous red sky. 

Unbeknownst to some, this vibrant morning sky is a harbinger of a powerful northeasterly storm brewing on the horizon. Join me as I recount a gripping tale of sailors (Captain Anthony, Jerry, and Paul) venturing out of the Bermuda Triangle, crossing the Gulf Stream during a northeasterly blow, and finally reaching the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay just north of Virginia Beach.

Setting Sail into the Bermuda Triangle:

Setting sail from the island paradise of St. Thomas in the USVI, Just Live and her crew embarked on the final leg of her 6000 nm transatlantic crossing towards the Chesapeake Bay and home to Severna Park Maryland. Our vessel gracefully glides through the azure waters, evoking a sense of excitement and trepidation. The Bermuda Triangle, notorious for its history of unexplained disappearances and mysterious occurrences, has captured the imagination of sailors for generations. Yet, armed with knowledge and respect for the elements, we are undeterred.

Embracing the Mystique:

As we sail into the heart of the Bermuda Triangle, the atmosphere becomes tinged with an indescribable aura. As our light at the navigation table mysteriously flickers on and off on its own means, we are reminded of the magnetic anomalies of the Bermuda Triangle that have confounded navigators for centuries. Me thinks it is just a switch gone bad, but we are in the Triangle. So it gets you a wondering. Strange phenomena and swirling legends surround us, but we remain steadfast, relying on “common sense,” our navigation skills, patience, and modern technology to guide us through the labyrinthine waters.

The Red Sky at Morning:

A few days later, as the morning of June 3, 2023 begins, the sun peeks above the horizon and we are greeted by an extraordinary sight—a fiery red sky that stretches as far as the eye can see. The beauty of the scene belies the imminent danger lurking in the distance. The time-honored saying, "Red sky at morning, sailors take warning," resonates with me, filling me with a mix of awe and concern. 

A red sunrise can mean that a high pressure system (good weather) has already passed, thus indicating that a storm system (low pressure) may be moving to the east. A morning sky that is a deep, fiery red can indicate that there is high water content in the atmosphere, most likely making way for a wet and windy low-pressure system. This is mother nature’s way of telling me that Captain Anthony’s forecasted north easterly is most likely going to hit us some time late today.

We brace ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead in the coming hours, knowing that the calm before the storm is an illusion we must not trust.

Crossing the Gulf Stream:

As luck would have it (bad luck), we will find ourselves crossing the formidable Gulf Stream as the storm hits. The warm waters of this powerful ocean current collide with the cold north winds, creating a unique and often volatile weather system. The impending northeasterly storm threatens to intensify the already turbulent waters, but we persist, our spirits unyielding. We are only three days from completing our 60-day adventure crossing the Atlantic on the maiden voyage of Just Live.

The Battle with the Storm:

As the Gulf Stream churns beneath us, the once picturesque scene transforms into a relentless tempest. The winds howl, and the waves surge around us in excess of 10 feet for 18 to 20 hours, testing our mettle and seamanship. With every gust of wind and crashing wave, we maneuver Just Live with skill and precision, defying the forces of nature that seek to deter us. The storm's fury challenges us, but we draw strength from the solid build of Just Live, our training, experience, and the bonds forged among her crew.

Reaching the Shores of the Chesapeake Bay:

After enduring the storm's wrath, for 20 hours, the winds decrease and the clouds finally part, revealing glimpses of sunlight piercing through. We emerge from the chaos, battered but unbowed, as the Chesapeake Bay comes into view with the morning sunrise on June 5. The sense of triumph and relief washes over us as we approach the picturesque shores off of Virginia Beach entering the mouth of the Chesapeake. 

One more challenge successfully navigated and now forever etched in our memories. Like we hadn’t had enough risk-level 8 challenges and memories already over the last 59 days! Jeeze!

Fifty-nine days of this adventure behind, one day to go! I mean what else could happen with only one day left, right?

Cheers,

Paul

P.S. Remember, you can click on this tracker link to follow us across the Atlantic on an interactive map via Iridium Go - thanks to Captain Anthony.