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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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.
Adios Ensenada!
Around 9am this morning, we slipped lines and made our way out of Todos Los Santos Bay with a pre-arranged escort pod of dolphins. After a few hours of motoring through very calm, very blue, very kelpy seas, we clicked the engine off and off we went. After some delicious frittata and not-new potatoes a-la Adam, we executed our first of many tacks. With only 5-10 kts of wind, our close haul has been nothing but pleasant so far. After a lovely week in Ensenada for me, Alex, and Adam, we’re stoked to finally head out and begin our upwind journey back up the coast.
A last hurrah
Under the dome of stars in a moon-less sky, each of us during our time at the helm used the most rudimentary celestial navigation, keeping a star or two lined up with the mast as a helper to following the heading range. It was a whole crew event to set the spinnaker, reef the mainsail and practice the heave-to in case of man overboard. Alex stressed that the key to success in all of these crucial activities is preparation. It was hugely satisfying to accomplish these tasks through teamwork. We share a constant good hearted back and forth full of stories, one-liners and comebacks that also means constant laughter.