Change of Plans

Hello all,

This is not really Hawk, this is Cara. I've had some unforseen complications that are, for now, leading me to postpone my house-thawing. I think I will reschedule it for early June. So, I'm sorry if anyone was rarin' to stop by on Saturday, but think of it this way - I could either have a lame-o party this Saturday, or I could have another four weeks to prepare the way I'd wanted to and send out proper invites. mucho amore, clo

Think Green

 

Gallon of gas $3.50, Diesel $4.00, bucket of sunshine...priceless. 34 AmpHr battery charged with a day's worth of sunlight runs emergency lights, radio, TV etc as well as charging cel phones and mp3 players. If it runs the blender then I'm set!

30 years ago today

 

Earth Day 1978,Bengal Ball, Clemson S.C. Cathy Ray and Steve Orban meet. The beginning of a never-ending story.

Today's Trivia

• Full Pink Moon - April This name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names for this month's celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.

Ava

May I introduce you to Ava Melinda-Catherine Stewart. She was born on this lovely day at 4:30 am and weighs 7 lbs 13 oz.

Last Dispatch from Sea

Well, it seems the time has come to bid you adieu. As of the moment of typing this, I have a little over 36 hours until the R/V Revelle is tied up in Ft. Lauderdale, FL U.S.A. In the final moments of this adventure I have taken time to read back on my various posts and all that has happened in my absence. Here I offer up just a couple of brief thoughts.

First off, Its been a hell of a run. Its tough to even explain the feeling I have right now. I couldn't have imagined this day actually arriving, 3 and a half months ago. The stupid chart I had pinned up on my wall to show how much time I had left stood blank and empty, just like my stomach in that first 24 hours in the Indian Ocean. But I've grown salty I suppose and somewhat wise to the ways of the sea. For all my bitching and moaning, the experience I've taken away from this was worth every filthy, sweat soaked, frozen, paint covered, blistered, sprained, deafening, sun stroked minute. South Africa, Antarctica...check. Antarctic Circle, Equator, Prime Meridian, Doldrums, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Sargasso Sea....check. Seabirds, Whales, Dolphins, Jellyfish, Flying Fish, Rotten Fish, Fresh Fish, Seals, Penguins, Algae, Krill, Seaweed, Ethiopian Stowaways...check. Following seas, head on seas, sideways seas, rough seas, calm seas, cold seas, warm seas, green seas, blue seas, grey seas, troughs, peaks, rollers and boarders...check. Now Im ready for some Terra Firma!

Secondly, but most importantly, I want to remind everyone how much I love you all. The Earth seems to want to keep spinning and we seem to get a little more spread out by the moment, but the encouragement, and thoughts I've received from you (from home base Oklahoma and beyond), have been music to my heart during this new and sometimes difficult experience. I will always be there, for anyone of you, in any way that I can. Knowing that the feeling is reciprocal is something that gives me assurance throughout all of life's curve balls. I realize how uniquely blessed or lucky I am to be in this sort of a position...born into a clan of strong, hearty, wise and hilarious individuals such as yourselves.

Thank you all once again for your loving support.

XO

Brandon

If you are a spotted STAR, you can't get away from the Paparatzi

On a beautiful spring day, wild Orban twins practiced their photography on the 2 baby horses at Painted Acres. Alaina got her braid nibbled and Ivy got dirty. They are soooo Cute!

Trees and Birds

 

Saw a couple scissortails today; a sure sign of seasonal change. After watching their comings and goings for the past 20 years I've noticed they are arriving earlier and staying later, (global warming?). Used to be they'd show up around the middle of April, grace us with their presence for six months and depart about the middle of October. Tried to get a photo for the blog but no co-operation from the birds so instead of the state bird I settled for the state tree. The redbuds are looking pretty good considering their fractured state from the last ice storm of '07. New life abounds, hope you're taking it all in.

Thin Red Line

 

Well, we are riding on top of a fat red line that runs around the belly of the Earth called the Equator. We're headed due West for the next 700 miles, so the sun literally starts at the stern of the ship and slowly works its way forward all day. On the Port side of the ship I am standing in the Southern Hemisphere and Autumn, on the Starboard side I am standing in the Northern Hemisphere and Spring. I got a nice view of about 200 common Dolphin in a feeding frenzy about a half mile from the ship today. One came over to check us out and rode in our bow wake for a minute. I love those crazy dolphins. There are also loads of Flying Fish around these parts. Suddenly they pop up out of the water when being chased by a predator and then actually do a little wiggle to gain momentum. I've counted glides that have lasted almost 30 seconds. Sometimes they sort of just skip across the water. The first time I saw one back in the Indian Ocean I was so confused why a bluebird just dove into the ocean. It just didnt compute to this Okie. Fish that fly??? I love evolution.
(Brandon at Middle Earth)
R/V Roger Revelle

1. 011200Z APRIL 2008
2. Position: Lat: 00-00.0N/S, Long: 014-21.5W
3. Course: 270T
4. Speed: 11.8 Kts