DAY 18 Land Ho!
February 26, Day 18 | Land Ho! Land Ho!
Seventeen days since we last saw land. A very special feeling spreads onboard when the beautiful peaks of La Palma suddenly appear in the distance. We turn towards each other, “Ha! We did it!”
This will be the last blog of this epic transatlantic passage with ADRIENNE. Our beautiful ADRIENNE, who has taken such good care of us. She has not only been our home; she has been our everything. A seemingly endless ocean has separated us from the ‘normal world,’ making this a universe of its own.
In just a few miles, we will step out of this universe, this little bubble. But we will not leave empty-handed. With us, we keep wonderful memories and countless stories to tell from this adventure. And with new friends for life.
Until next time, Big Blue!
Love,
Erik, Skipper of ADRIENNE
ErikNordborg
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People Get Ready!
The last three days have been an intense (and intensely hot) period of discovery, practice, and planning. Because Adrienne II is not a 59N boat, there's been some extra setup and coordination needed including rigging all the sails that were out for repairs before we arrived. Its been a blast working alongside the 59N team getting to help them work things out on a less familiar boat in real time. Tomorrow morning we'll run through our Person Over Board training as the final pre-departure task, cast off and head out. Can't know all that it will be, but its going to be a great adventure out in the vast world with some pretty fantastic people.
Among the Channel Islands
In the wind shadow of SoCal we had a restful night with calm conditions ghosting through smooth seas. We’re getting ourselves in position for spicy weather tonight once we round Cape Conception, the seas build and the breeze freshens. It will be an upwind sail into an acceleration zone along a formable coast with few bailout points, Morro Bay being one. The crew is really gelling with lots of smiles and laughter on deck. Monterey is in our sights!
Day Two Delights
The seas were completely glassy with a gentle swell as we approached San Clemente Island, the southernmost of the Channel Islands. Everyone jumped in and marvelled at the lovely temperature and crystal clear, indigo-colored water. Before long the wind started to pick up, and we happily unfurled the jib and were sailing again. The afternoon has been gorgeous, cruising along at 5-6 kts, close hauled on a port tack in a gentle breeze, Catalina Island in the distance on our starboard side, and everyone is happy.