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@nicawaters.bsky.social

Pollywogs no more!

Day 7 of this passage is pretty epic. I’m sending daily updates via email if you want to see the mundane unfold.

A photo of 3 boxes of numbers. Top left reads “5.57” which is current boat speed. Top right is cut off reading “2…” which is our heading. And the all important bottom left reads “S 00.00.176, W086.07.396”. We’ve crossed the equator, a milestone that’s earned us the nickname of Shellback. Only 3300 miles to go to French Polynesia!

March 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Off we go… 4-6 weeks at sea.

Tracker is share.garmin.com/svcalypso

Good wind vibes appreciated.

Sunset photo overlooking approaches to the Panama Canal, a dredge ship coming out. Text superimposed says “destination: Hiva Oa, Marquesas”. We’re headed out on a major ocean passage on our small sailboat!

March 1, 2025 at 1:36 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Provisioned up.

Also. #resist. Also #fucktrump.

The bookshelves of a small sailboat have been commandeered by baskets of fresh vegetables. Preparing for a 4+ week ocean passage is not for the faint of heart.

February 28, 2025 at 8:55 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Sunset Feb 27, 2025

Diesel, gasoline, water all full. Propane tank out for refilling. Last provisioning runs tomorrow.

Now we wait for weather.

A catamaran points north, towards the Panama Canal, behind the point of land that defines the la Playita anchorage. Sunset colors glow above a mountain-shaped cloud bank. For once, there are no ships visible in the canal approaches.

February 28, 2025 at 1:09 AM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

#sunset on Feb 26, 2025. From Canal House restaurant.

Sunset shimmers the hills behind a boat-studded waterfront. The photo is framed with palm trees to the left and overhead.

February 27, 2025 at 12:20 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

#sunset Feb 25, 2025

Intense provisioning run today has lockers largely full. Still need rum, wine, beer, and coffee. Fresh stuff.

Tomorrow I pick up my passport.

Getting closer!

A dredge ship, merely a silhouette with the orange and yellow sunset behind, heads south out of the approaches to the Panama Canal. Clouds streak the sky. Water in the foreground is ruffled; there’s no way to capture the breeze or the roll in a still shot.

February 25, 2025 at 11:47 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Sunset, Feb 24, Panama City, Panama.

Not time for sunsets. It’s all provisioning and prepping for a pacific crossing here.

A pressure cooker filled with jars of Chana masala heats on a boat stove while 4 jars of chicken cool on the counter. Canning is in full swing aboard Calypso!

February 25, 2025 at 12:54 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

#Sunset, Feb 23, 2025

One ship going in, 2 coming out. Birds wheel overhead.

Cockpit is jammed with detritus from our first provisioning run. Jeremy’s stowing things in the forepeak.

Sunset to left with a small tanker heading into the approaches of the Panama Canal. A car carrier trails a passenger ferry as they exit the canal. Sunset from la Playita anchorage in Panama City!

February 23, 2025 at 11:29 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Anchorage tonight a bit busier in every way.

#Sunset over the approaches to the Panama Canal.

Tomorrow starts the crash course in prepping to cross (part of) an ocean.

Sun lowering with Taboga in the background. Ships stream towards the Panama Canal off to starboard. Not captured: incessant roll, countless other sailboats, and murky water. This anchorage is not great, but it provides great access.

February 22, 2025 at 11:39 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Back in Chapera/mogomogo for what may be our last Las Perlas #sunset.

February 21, 2025.

Sunset flings rays to the upper right corner, over a silhouetted island. There’s a distinct line: light blue to the right, pink/yellow to the left. A couple of low clouds are in the distant horizon. Water is ruffled, not showing the piped-up wind. Last sunset in these islands for us.

February 22, 2025 at 1:10 AM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Sunsets when you’re anchored against an island to the west… they’re an exercise in patience and appreciation of small details.

I like the clouds behind the sport fish.

February 20, 2025. Las Perlas, Panama.

Blue skies tinged with muted pinks of a subdued subset, all reflected in oily flat water. Two small rocks are in the distance to the left. Another sunset in las Perlas.

February 21, 2025 at 2:11 AM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Feb 19, 2025

Sunset reflection over Isla del Rey, with mist rising in the valleys.

We actually sailed today. Like no engine. 🤯

And saw 3 humpback whales, breaching and all.

Clouds-obscured sunset reflected over a distant island, where mist rises in the valleys. The water is calm and almost the same color as the sky. The calm is welcome.

February 19, 2025 at 11:28 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Ooh look it’s Calypso with the sunset behind her!

It’s not often we leave the boat at night. When we do, it’s usually because we’re heading to sundowners or dinner on a friend’s boat.

Sunset, Feb 18, 2025, Las Perlas, Panama

#sunset #cruisinglife #smallsailboat

Sun going down amidst fish scale clouds. A sailboat is silhouetted against an island. The sun makes a watery golden shimmery path on the water. Sunset as seen from our dinghy en route to a friend’s boat for dinner.

February 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Every day making my calls.

Thank you @sanders.senate.gov and @balint.house.gov for being forcefully outspoken.

Keep fighting.

List of recent phone calls from a cell phone, all to my senators and representative. Political activism is possible even from a sailboat.

February 18, 2025 at 4:37 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

We’re back between Chapera and Mogomogo.

All 12 other boats are clustered off the big beach at the corner. We’re tucked in all by ourselves.

The sun goes down behind a tree-studded island, casting a ray across the water. Clouds appear to be emanating from the sun. The water, as has been recently, is barely rippled. Sunset Feb 17, 2025, in las Perlas, Panama.

February 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Balancing #sunset pics with political posts.

Feels about how my days go.

Sunsets haven’t been particularly great but they are, in fact, still there.

Feb 16, Las Perlas, Panama

Hills silhouetted by an anemic subset. Water ripples. There’s a solar panel and self steering gear in the foreground. Another sunset shot from Las Perlas.

February 16, 2025 at 11:35 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Sunset, Las Perlas. Feb 15, 2025.

Obviously we’ve moved anchorages. So far, this seems better than last night. Keep fingers crossed.

Glassy, oily water reflects minor sunset color. An island in the distance is black. Clouds appear to stream from stage left to upstage right. Sunset Las Perlas, Panama, on Feb 15, 2025.

February 15, 2025 at 11:16 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Last night sunset. Feb 14, Las Perlas, Panama

At least the clouds were cool.

Grey twilight sky with a hint of color highlighting lenticular clouds. Water in the foreground is barely rippled. Sunset on Feb 14 in Las Perlas, Panama

February 15, 2025 at 11:47 AM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

One thing with sunsets.

If one isn’t that great, there’s another one the next day that might be better.

Feb 13, 2025. Las Perlas, Panama

A post sunset glow in the sky between 2 silhouetted islands. Solar panels and a self-steering gear are in the foreground. Peaceful water and wispy clouds.

February 14, 2025 at 1:07 PM

Nica sv Calypso (she/her)

@nicawaters.bsky.social

Sunset from the beach this time. At least the boat is in the photo.

I’m pretty sure it’s February 12, only because Jeremy’s birthday is the 13th and it’s tomorrow. Also pretty sure it’s Wednesday because @theboatgalley newsletter arrived today.

It’s all about the cues.