February 25, 2010 - Enroute to St. Helena

Crossing the Prime Meridian

There were no fireworks. There was no parade. And we didn't keelhaul anyone. But this morning, at 3:19:10 UTC (and local), we crossed the Prime Meridian, that line on the globe that divides the eastern and western hemispheres. It is just a line on a map, but being back in the Western Hemisphere makes us feel like we are that much closer to home. This afternoon, to celebrate, we put on our cowboy hats, cracked open a few Coors Lights and nuked some nachos. Or we would have if we'd had any of those things on board. Instead we popped a bottle of something sparkling and made a bowl of shrimp dip (Nando's Peri Peri is a fine substitute for Heinz Chili Sauce; canned shrimp, however, are a poor replacement for frozen).

The GRIBs call for the wind to die within the next few days. We're hoping to make it to St. Helena before the fans shut off. But we still have 300 miles to cover before we get there.