Journals 2006/2007

Cyndy Martin
Portland High School, Portland, Maine

"STAR Project NOAA R/V McArthur II" July 28 - August 26, 2006

Journal Index: September 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 August 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9            10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16            17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23            24 - 25 - 26

August 2, 2006
My birthday & Crossing the Tropic of Cancer!

Lat: 23° 28.1' N
Long: 124° 22.9' W
Skies: CL
Wind: 17 kts, 030 deg T
Seas: waves = 3-5', swells = 4-6'
Course: 215 deg T
Speed: 10 kts
Distance in 24 hrs: 193 nm
Sea temp: 23.2 deg C
Distance from land: 399 nm SW of Guadalupe I's

Sightings of some spotters and a sperm whale in the distance today.
Sun finally broke through the clouds in the late afternoon. I couldn't resist basking in it for a short time.

I have a good book going right now, and that's a good thing. One day begins to look like another as the routine sets in. Not much mammal activity, which is a bit disappointing, but I'll be open and searching for the unexpected.

It was no secret around here that I was having a b'day. The scientists gave me a beautiful card handpainted by one of the seabird observers on this cruise. She's incredibly talented and I was very touched by the card, them singing happy b'day & giving me a little package of miscellaneous consumable goodies from the ship's store. To celebrate my b'day, I stuffed myself at dinner, to include a huge piece of cheesecake with about a quart of chocolate syrup on top. I felt sick for an hour afterwards. The food has really been quite good; I must be careful not to overindulge or I'll be spending all my free time in the "pink room" (i.e. the gym).

Clouds are the topography