Day 4 - Oahu to Fanning Island

LATITUDE: 12-53.53N
LONGITUDE: 158-36.28W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 143 (picking up speed)
Miles to Fanning Island: 540 (almost half way!)

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD...

It was beautiful - sun shined, the ocean sparkled, waves settled down, winds continued 18 to 25 - we made up some time and it was smooth sailing. I like that. If we are lucky, we just might have that kind of day today too.

So we rested, read, and I worked on my mani/pedi - which is way over due.

Already started to think about the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). It is lurking at about 6 degrees. I am not looking for a Free Pass, but hoping that we catch it on a good day and it gives us a gentle ride.

Also, already starting to think about that first ice cold beer (or two) once we drop our anchor in Fanning!

I keep forgetting to tell you about the Cloud Trains - that's what I call them. Every afternoon, these long lines of clouds form and continue to grow bigger and longer and darker throughout the day following the sun as it passes. As the sun sets, they converge around it and create these amazing formations. I can't describe it well, but I got lots of pictures I will share.

As we pass under these Cloud Trains, we expect increased wind on the front side, a little calming in the middle, and increased wind on the back side. Usually, lots of rain too, but so far we haven't had but a few sprinkles.

It is hard to imagine the force that the sun and the moon have over the clouds and waves - very interesting watching them charge after the setting sun and rally around the moon. Hope you get to see it one of these days!

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