0209 UTC | 32º 28.9’N 120º 03.07’W
Sailing
Falken has almost rounded the Channel Islands and is cruising along splendidly about 100 miles offshore. Though several models predicted some slightly fresher winds today, we were met with a consistent 18-20 kts of pure bliss. Falken is truly a dream to sail in these conditions — her acceleration down waves fueling yelps of glee on deck and her gentle rocking lulling those down below to sleep.
With such pleasant conditions, I’ve actually found that I have to force myself to get enough sleep. It’s simply such fun sailing! While no marine life was spotted today, we did have a very small, quite precocious bird with us for a few hours. The little guy was comfortable with us from the jump, drinking water out of Lynn’s palm, landing on my head, and even standing squarely on the helm whilst I steered— perhaps a subtle message that my steering was subpar (?).
The crew is equally comfortable with each other. To be fair, that usually happens on 59º North trips, but that gelling sometimes takes several days. Not with this group! It seems that from the moment we left the dock in San Francisco, there has been much laughter and conversation amongst everyone. The group has helped me with my (very tragically British) book of crossword puzzles, though Lynn is clearly the crossword queen and I would truly be lost without her. Between Jason’s questions, Jeff’s peculiar riddle (or was it Chris?), Ryan’s culinary offerings, and Maestro Alex’s whiteboard sessions, no one has been left bored nor hungry.
The plan is to gybe in a few hours and begin our approach to Ensenada. For tonight, we’re all planning to soak up our last full night at sea. With a new moon and clear skies, the stars have been incredible. As much as I do appreciate the jokes and intellectual musings, I equally appreciate the natural, silent moments we share at night, all of us on watch gazing up above to the shooting stars, constellations, and planets putting on their quiet show.
Love to all!
Zoe Peach-Riley (Apprentice)
View more passage logs
No Kitemares Today
After a night marked by sudden wind accelerations peeling off Point Conception, and a vibrant, pulsating sky blistered with shooting stars, the off-watch woke to commotion on the foredeck. The wind had gone light and the swell had tapered just enough to raise the spinnaker. The sail filled with an urgent pop, the sheet strained and Falken charged down the face of the next wave. By mid-day, we doused the spinnaker and set our minds to the more precise task of safely punching through a gap in the notorious Cortez Bank. The border to Mexico looms ahead.
The California coast
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. This morning brings winds in the teens and calmer seas. The sun is still shining, and the green monster has been slayed by those afflicted!
Farewell by dolphins
We headed out of the marina in Monterey CA at about 10AM in sunny weather to meet winds of ~20kts and 3m smooth swell with long periods. FALKEN is surfing along the coast of California, ship’s time 1PM as I write. As we motored out into the bay, we were wished farewell by a pod of dolphins nearby and a couple of whales in the distance. Though, unfortunately one crew member met the green dragon in the swell.
