Day 1
34 02.3N 63 16.5W
Sunday, May 26, 2024
34 02.3N 63 16.5W
A little under 24 hours ago, we slipped the lines from the fuel dock in St. George’s, Bermuda. The excitement amongst the crew was palpable, and it didn’t take much to get a departure picture filled with bright smiles. We knew that we’d have to deal with light weather for a little over a day, but the engine didn’t stay on very long as we’ve been sailing along in a gentle 7-10 kts breeze on a NE course. Perfect conditions to softly ease into the experience. And it doesn’t take much to get FALKEN gliding; I’m always impressed when I see strong boats transform into what seems like featherweights at the lightest touch of air.
Pretty soon we’ll have our second lunch of the crossing, couscous salad. And as we’re going to start doing things for a second time, watching a second sunset, the novelty of the departure will slowly give way to the routine that will be our little universe on FALKEN for the coming days. What a life!
- Manot
ManotBerger
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Ketch us if you Kan
Falken is soon to carry on our preferred route of South, back to (hopefully) warmer climates. We’re all excited to set off and see more of this wild landscape as we head down to Victoria. A thermal trough over Vancouver combined with an offshore high pressure creating funneling NW’ly winds means it is due to be pretty fruity on the 9th. This passage is just under 600 miles, relatively short for Falken, but I’m sure we’ll be kept entertained with dramatic scenery, wildlife and weather!
Final Blog
Falken and her crew arrived safely into port last night around 8pm boat time, 10pm Prince Rupert time. Some spicy weather was anticipated, but luckily the 35kt gusts and 2.5 meter waves were no match for this expert crew. We had an exceptionally smooth docking, despite it being Alex's first time parking this year (!). We all agreed that this was a very special group of people—I for one am so impressed with how everyone stayed so positive, helpful, and appreciative of humor despite an arguably challenging passage. We'll all return home significantly saltier than we were when we left, a mark of a passage properly sailed.
Lessons and a Gift
The biggest lesson is the helm. The lesson here is that even if you don't think you can do it over and over again with no sleep, cold and damp, it has to be done and so it can be done. Flying fish are cool, dolphins are really really cool, but the coolest of them all are the whales. And most of all Alex: "Find your center Carla. Always know where your center is so you can come back to it". He means the helm but it applies to life as well.