Day 7
June 24, 2024 | 1300 UTC
The fog is still all around us—white, thick at times, clearer sometimes, and rarely gone. It is a funny feeling sailing “blind,” especially with 10+ knots of boat speed. I have spent hours by now staring out into the white fuzz, watching the waves emerge from it and disappear into it again. And although we might not have a clear sight of land when we arrive, it seems we are already living the full Irish experience.
Last night was a thrilling sail. Winds picked up, waves built, and it became the most challenging helming conditions yet. It was very nice to witness all that has been learned over the week applied in those conditions. As I am looking up at the log, I see 1158 nm—a reminder that we are to arrive soon. Indeed, we have started to talk about the tides of the day, planning for our passage through the sound, which seems to coincide with the passage of a cold front. This passage is going to be exciting all the way to the end.
- 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.