0154 UTC | 33° 23.4’ N 118° 45.6’ W
Sailing
This morning was one of those mornings where dark slowly fades to light in grayscale, as the cloud cover is too dense to allow for a colorful sunrise. The seas were completely glassy with a gentle swell as we approached San Clemente Island, the southernmost of the Channel Islands. Since there was no wind, it was the perfect time for a.. SWIM! Everyone jumped in and marvelled at the lovely temperature and crystal clear, indigo-colored water. Swimming in the Pacific while your stunning gently boat drifts next to you? What a beautiful thing.
We hopped back on board, took a quick rinse with the stern shower, and were off again. We took the opportunity to hank on the stay sail, which it looks like we will be wanting for the stronger winds arriving in the coming days. Before long the wind started to pick up, and we happily unfurled the jib and were sailing again. Falken sure can move in light winds!
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. Zoe made a delicious curry for dinner and everyone shared how content they are. Sailing along at golden hour, the sunlight illuminating people’s faces, surrounded by good company, blue sea, and a nearly-full moon rising over the starboard quarter.. doesn’t get much better!
-Rachel
Rachel Saudek
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Kärt barn har många namn
A dear child goes by many a name, or as we say in Swedish "kärt barn har många namn". This is the case for many a person, but also some species, not least the Mahi mahi, which also goes by dolphin fish, golden mackerel, and dorado, among others. Soon, we could see the fish jump, a hundred feet or so behind the boat, and as I kept reeling, a beautiful Mahi appeared under the surface. Manot showed us how to clean and fillet it, and after a complete team effort two large fillets are now in the freezer of Adrienne II.
Cast off the lines
When we awoke it was overcast but the Brazilian sun quickly burned the clouds away and we were left with blue skies. We reviewed some safety procedures, cleaned the boat and had an exciting Person Overboard (POB) recovery. Once we were underway spirits soared as we pointed the bow toward the Canary Islands. As I write this we are heading upwind and dealing with all that involves, and working into our first watches. It is hot, a bit bumpy but we are sailing!!
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.