You had turkey-

I'm so glad she's doing well! I can just hear her telling her teacher: "yes, I did my homework, but a strong wind picked it up and blew it overboard, somewhere near French Polynesia!"

Cali

Wow, she is quite impressive...this is the first time I read her blog. I was trying to find out about her crew? Who is on board with her?
Canned mangos are something I have never seen here in the states but I bet you can get them on any island?
Boy, Jessica's mom must really have confidence in her sailing abilities!

Starry- She's trying to be the youngest person to sail unassisted solo around the world. That means she's the crew. While there are the automated steering systems. She is usually a self furling system. But still one person sailing for over 6 months is a huge test of character, backbone and skills. And to do this at age 16-- amazing. What is this kid going to do when she grows up?

Another leg on an exciting adventure. I remember when I first crossed the equator. I think your supposed to kiss someone or maybe they dunk your head in water? Anyway, there is some ritual involved. There is also one for crossing the international date line. Has she crossed that one yet?

Cl- In the old days, you got thrown overboard and keelhauled. I suppose sailors might have used any excuse to get a sailor to take a bath... close quarters and all that. Jessica got a dunking using the sails rather than going over board.

No crew??? she is 16 and there is no crew???? Call me old fashion or whatever, but 16 and without a crew??????? What guts?

I'll hold my breath until she clears the Cape. If she were my daughter, she'd be in school still, planning her trip once she's 18, 19, 25.

And, yes, they do sell canned mango. Oriental groceries are the best bet to find canned mango. I prefer lichee nuts, though, which are also available fresh and canned at Oriental groceries. I used the canned mango to make mango ice cream. Mmmmmm.

Yes GothamGal...you said just what was on my mind...both " if she were my daughter" and about the "Mmmmmm" concerning homemade mango ice cream!

There was a gal in Amsterdam the Netherlands- age 13- who proposed a solo sail around the world. She lived aboard a boat with her divorced father and had grown up on boats. The Dutch authorities stepped in and have exercised some parental authority-banning a solo sail by a 13 year old.

So far the youngest solo sailor has been a 17 year boy from England.

There has been a debate among the sailing community about how young is too young for these sort of things. You have got to remember that there is a long tradition of children going to sea. There were 7 and 8 year olds who served as "powder monkeys' on Nelson's flagship Endeavor at Trafalgar. Cabin boys often went to sea at age 7 and 8.

What is unique with Jessica is not only the younger age but that we are talking female. Females, as you may know, we thought of as a curse on early ships- too much of a reason to cause unrest in the crews in clsoely packed small ships for extended periods of time.

We used to marry off girls as young as 13. In this country we have meancipated minors at age 16. Some southern states permit marriages of girls as young as 14 or 15.

So there is much to debate in all this.

I do know my daughter would neither have had the skills nor the temperament to go to sea for 6 months. But there are some kids- Jessica is clearly one- who do have the skills and abilities. She is 40 days out and nearly 5,000 miles away from Sydney harbor.

I totally see your excitement and admiration for Jessica on this, John. And I don't want to put a damper on your interest. I know sailing is one of your loves. Jessica is unusually courageous and must have the some pretty good sailing skills. Regardless though, anyone at sea alone, especially a 16 years old girl...deals with a lot of danger. I am going along with he Dutch on this one...and would argue about child endangerment.

Power monkeys, cabin boys, and marriages of children.... When does a child get to be a child? I see VERY few children up till the age of 17 developed enough to take on adult or difficult situations who come away from them without some lasting effects.

How quick could someone get to Jessica if she were to become ill or what will happen if a big storm pops up...will there be a big uproar if she falls overboard, never to be found alive?

Reminds me of one of Jack London's stories. Wow! I remember the first time I crossed the equator and had to kiss Neptune's fat greasy belly! Ick! What did they use on his belly anywhaly rancid whale oil? And they say I taste bad!

It is still hard for me to imagine the pluck it takes to do something like this. Even in my "glory days" I don't think it would have even entered my mind! She is one in a million...perhaps 2 million!

I have seen young people do marvelous things and they are said to have natural talent. I just witnessed a 14 year old girl who is taking on-line classes in music at Stanford University playing the piano better then most adults. I have seen young artists who can paint the whole sides of a building with the most spectacular art ever seen. We have young people flying plains record distances, swimming unimaginable and record distances in the sea. Why I think a young child even set a record last year for the longest pole sitter, why not sailing? I'm sure if it is in her blood, there is not much her Mother and Father can do to stop her. I just hope every precaution is being taken to aid her in her quest and I am praying for her safety and success. What a story and what a young girl, very impressive.

Right on Jessica!!! I'm so glad she's hale and making progress. That certainly is good news to hear.

BTW- you can buy canned mango here in the stores. Not as tasty as fresh- but still good.

Fair winds and running seas to you Jessica!