22:00 | 04° 39.2’N 094°04.04’W
Sailing
Oh, The Places You’ll Go. A Book by Dr. Seuss.
I find myself making passage between exotic locations on Falken for the 5th time. Blessed with great friends and having been in the right place at the right time a couple times, I have come to deeply treasure this type of exploration and adventure.
Trips with 59º North build confidence and experience doing things that might seem difficult or dangerous to those reluctant to take the plunge, but the most valuable lesson I have learned on all these trips is that planning and preparation make these trips routine, but with a plan for all types of emergency should they arise. I had no worry/jitters/concern prior to departure, just anticipating getting settled, hauling anchor, and sailing a reach for a following sea. (It was a little more upwind than a reach, but this story makes the “Southern Cross” lyrics work).
On these trips, we have young and old, new sailors, and old salts. Everyone can learn something from our peers (as well as the staff), and has something to share. I am often asked by others who can’t imagine doing this if I know people on the boat. The literal answer is almost always ‘no’. However, over these 5 trips, I have come to understand that those that embark on this type of offshore expedition have many of the same qualities and values, so they are in fact people I know, but haven’t met yet. The same is true with this crew today.
As of now, we are anticipating bearing off from South-West to West-South-West, after successfully “Making for the Trades on the outside, and the downhill run to(wards) Papeete”.
-Adam Baker
Adam Baker
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The Human Factor
Thus our existence slowly reverted to a much simpler form of being. We start to notice the smaller things, we start looking up and around, we start observing our thoughts. Sailing can be a great social accelerator. Sharing hardship and milestones, friendships are born and evolve at a speed that would seem impossible from land. And after those three weeks spent with you, I am getting ready to leave our vessel with the profound conviction that those bonds will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
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.