14:00 UTC | 46°16.4N 148°28.1W
Sailing
For the ancient Hawaiians, O’ahu was the gathering place. Souls no longer tied to a body made their way to the western most peninsula of O’ahu and jumped off into their next existence; or perhaps it was to non-existence.
They called this place Ka’ena. My family’s home was on the opposite end of the island. On day one of Falken’s passage to British Columbia, we were to pass this headland. It started out gently. We motored off the dock adjacent the Hawaii Yacht Club exited the Ala Wai Harbor and turned westward. A new main sail and new yankee unfurled to the trades for the first time. We were underway in building winds and just as the main was reefed the winds died off.
Falken was in the lee of O’ahu’s western mountains; the Wai’a’nae range. It is taller than the island’s other range called Ko’olau and geologists say each is a remnant of two distinct volcanos. We were in the wind shadow of the taller range. The engine restarted.
Passing to the starboard were some communities where many residents are of Hawaiian ancestry: Maile, Nanakuli, and Makaha. The road ends at a long sandy beach. I bodysurfed there a few times but never ventured further. Many decades ago I dreamed of an attempt to drive around the point, but was overcome by huge surf. Today I’d get a photo.
It was known to the captain and mate that once we exited the wind shadow the pressure of the diverted winds, together with the regular flow would be strong. Many of the crew are experienced sailors. Others such as myself, not so much.
In short order, the winds built to well over 30 knots on the beam. Falken heeled sharply. The waves pitched up over two meters. This sea state was real. I tried to snap a photo of the point, but only one. I needed to focus on holding fast and being mindful of my every movement. The captain set a course of due north and we sailed a close reach.
Below deck I took a seat on the low side and became drenched in sweat. I’ve known toil but not never quite like this. Fear does not capture the feeling, it was more of shock and awe. My aft had been kicked and the attending hierarchy of needs reduced to a bare minimum.
I had finally rounded Ka’ena point. Ultimately it was not a religious experience nor metaphysical; just the first day of a twenty five hundred mile sail.
Cheers.
Daniel
View more passage logs
The Human Factor
Thus our existence slowly reverted to a much simpler form of being. We start to notice the smaller things, we start looking up and around, we start observing our thoughts. Sailing can be a great social accelerator. Sharing hardship and milestones, friendships are born and evolve at a speed that would seem impossible from land. And after those three weeks spent with you, I am getting ready to leave our vessel with the profound conviction that those bonds will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
The Penultimate Blog from Adrienne II
After 20 days, and 3000+ nautical miles, we're back on land. The motley crew of Adrienne II, consisting of 7 happy amateurs supported by 3 professionals, have completed an epic journey many dream of but few realize. So much of this trip has been about being present - with nature, with each other, with this boat. My biggest takeaway from this trip is the amazing crossing of the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). We all hope you've enjoyed the blog as much as we've enjoyed creating it.
Mother Nature, you’ve outdone yourself!
It’s been a great experience to have a non-traditional trans-Atlantic, as it’s been packed with genuinely cool features. The Doldrums!! A place sailors have been talking about for centuries. The unpredictability is what made it such an exhilarating experience. While some might be frightened or alarmed by this kind of weather, I was embodied with a sense of calm and awe. There’s something wildly beautiful about being reminded how small you are, while feeling so incredibly alive.