Saturday, June 14, 2025 | Equator - Bring it on!
Apparently, a spy boarded FALKEN, unbeknownst to the several polywogs aboard—heralding our approach to the royal line. Having been duly notified of the impending rite of passage by King Neptune’s herald and prepared for the equatorial approach by our flamboyant navigator, we anxiously prepare gifts of great worth to offer the famed nautical god. Frankly, if Neptune has an accent as odd as the rest of his court, we may not have any idea what’s going on during the encounter.
This landmark (seamark?) experience aside, we continue to enjoy magnificent sailing! The crew is rested, strong, and incredibly well fed, and Falken reaches like a dream. The stars are brilliant and eventually bow to the spotlight of a full moon. As the moon arcs across the night sky, she eventually concedes the labor of lighting our path to the sun in a glorious display as one sets while the other rises.
The skipper, mate, and bosun continue to impart their knowledge to the crew. In fact, last night Mary informed us that no airplanes flew over the Pacific Ocean—only spaceships. I learn something every day ;)
//Orie
Write your comments below and I’ll forward them to the boat with the daily update :) - Mia (shore support)
crew@59-north.com
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The Penultimate Blog from Adrienne II
After 20 days, and 3000+ nautical miles, we're back on land. The motley crew of Adrienne II, consisting of 7 happy amateurs supported by 3 professionals, have completed an epic journey many dream of but few realize. So much of this trip has been about being present - with nature, with each other, with this boat. My biggest takeaway from this trip is the amazing crossing of the ITCZ (Inter Tropical Convergence Zone). We all hope you've enjoyed the blog as much as we've enjoyed creating it.
Mother Nature, you’ve outdone yourself!
It’s been a great experience to have a non-traditional trans-Atlantic, as it’s been packed with genuinely cool features. The Doldrums!! A place sailors have been talking about for centuries. The unpredictability is what made it such an exhilarating experience. While some might be frightened or alarmed by this kind of weather, I was embodied with a sense of calm and awe. There’s something wildly beautiful about being reminded how small you are, while feeling so incredibly alive.
A Heavenly High
As you have probably figured out at this point, the drug of choice on board is, of course, celestial navigation- an art which has hooked offshore sailors for centuries. Once addicted, navigators will emerge from down below only to get their fixes two times per day, and spend the rest of their days and nights down below doing complex spherical mathematics. On Adrienne II, our skipper is our dealer. I must confess that I myself gave in to the strange urge which I’ve felt witnessing my crewmates practice this fine art, and yesterday felt an amazing sensation as I was able to wield the sextant for the first time and with it, bring down the tip of our starboard spreader to the top of our front sprayhood, presicely measuring the angle between the two (35deg, 38,8’ min). This afternoon, Naxo then showed me how to get my fix from the very sun itself - and I now fear there is no turning back.