February 25, Day 17 | Life on the Heel is Real
And so we embark on our final leg of the voyage, just as we began. Adrienne is looking her finest, dressed in a double-reefed main and the staysail holding strong, constantly drenched in saltwater and driving hard! Once again, we are close-hauled against the trades. Class 3 whitewater waves cover her deck every 50 waves or so, keeping things fun and exciting.
Both above and below decks, whether simply traversing around the helm or negotiating the head, logistical contemplation is essential—no different than planning the first series of hop turns skiing down a steep couloir. A walk to the galley, with Adrienne at full heel, is an adventure in itself, not to mention the companionway stairs and helming.
Some say they are ready to go back to “real life.” Some of us agree to disagree; this is as real as life gets. In the next 24 hours, we will catch our first glimpse of the Canaries. Bernard Moitessier felt love at first sight when he did so via celestial navigation in the 1960s. Our crew is weathered, exhausted, and strong. We have cared for and supported one another beyond comprehension. Adrienne continues to charge and only wants more sailing. She is a remarkable vessel.
Mahalo Captain Erik and first mate Tim; you have empowered your crew to safely navigate squalls, to catch glimpses of sleep whenever possible, and to helm Adrienne in the fashion that suits her. The long tack to round La Palma is in process—Adrienne will be hauled out and set up with a new outfit for her next voyage across the sea.
—Ryan Redmond, Crew
crew@59-north.com
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Shooting Stars & Turtle Logs
Day three out of Ketchikan and FALKEN is running wing on wing down the outside of Vancouver Island. The temptation is to lie back in the cockpit and spend the night watching for shooting stars, but a diligent watch is always the first priority. So we keep a sharp eye out while the shooting stars keep us company through the night. The wildlife keeps coming: humpback and minke whales, five mola molas, dolphins, and a black-footed albatross. We are all feeling lucky for such conditions!
Pot dodging and whale watching
Duncan got us up to eleven knots at one point! The Ferriers also logged our first Orca sighting on their 3am-6am watch! This morning is a gift as the temps are just right and we finally have some blue sky and plenty of sunshine. It was a glorious few hours sailing before it inevitably died as forecast. I live in hope that by sunset tonight we’ll be back sailing as we emerge out of the lee of the island and the wind will be more westerly which lends itself to a better sailing angle.
We are off!
After two days of introductions, safety briefings and boat procedures we have departed Ketchikan. We are currently making a whopping 3.3 knots as there is very little wind in Nichols Passage. Adam fed us well last night with a delicious shrimp curry and Duncan was the winner of a sporty game of the card version Monopoly. With the scenic views and light wind it's quite peaceful out here.