06:50 UTC | 48°08.3N 146°00.8W
Surfing!
As of today, Falken has taken us over 1800nm across the North Pacific. We’ve had winds from 6-36kts, gorgeous hot sun to frigid wet fog, seemingly endless squalls sailing upwind, and now a low pressure system chasing us downwind. We’ve learned about water-makers, starter motors, furling, taking in and letting out reefs, easing and grinding, weather and wind, helming by course and by wind angles, and the difference between rest and sleep. Downwind sailing with swells and surfing is the latest challenge for us, but we’ve been through adversity before… and we have phenomenal instruction with laughter as the salve that heals our egos.
For now, all is well.
Prince Rupert seems to be within reach. Today, I wonder, how did this trip go by so quickly? I did miss a few days of it in my berth with seasickness, but I thought it would be longer. After all, I’ve been planning for this passage for 18 months. How can it be almost over? Only a few days ago, I wondered if we’d ever hit a thousand miles, and now we’re pushing toward two. As we look over the horizon tonight, I’m starting to to think about the next plans, the kids, jobs, and commitments we will all be returning to. Each of us has a life to re-enter, thousands of emails to dig through, and will soon return home, still salty and damp, to our respective “daily grinds.”
Those things are coming.
For now, the latest challenge is to stay in the moment. I want to savor the color of the sea, the purest breaths of sea air, the success of making it down a wave, and the challenge of the next one. I want to learn more of what Falken has to teach me for these last few days. I want to laugh as we wave to one another coming up the companionway. I want to wake up from a rest for a warm dinner on deck.
The memories we’ve made here are priceless, even if we only connected for a few moments on our various paths in this world. I’m grateful to have been a part of this crew of stranger-friends and to discover the larger purpose of our meeting here for this passage. So few people get this opportunity to “go dark” and live simply for a moment.
Just a few more days, Falken.
With gratitude overwhelming,
Thanks and Peace.\
Corey
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Shooting Stars & Turtle Logs
Day three out of Ketchikan and FALKEN is running wing on wing down the outside of Vancouver Island. The temptation is to lie back in the cockpit and spend the night watching for shooting stars, but a diligent watch is always the first priority. So we keep a sharp eye out while the shooting stars keep us company through the night. The wildlife keeps coming: humpback and minke whales, five mola molas, dolphins, and a black-footed albatross. We are all feeling lucky for such conditions!
Pot dodging and whale watching
Duncan got us up to eleven knots at one point! The Ferriers also logged our first Orca sighting on their 3am-6am watch! This morning is a gift as the temps are just right and we finally have some blue sky and plenty of sunshine. It was a glorious few hours sailing before it inevitably died as forecast. I live in hope that by sunset tonight we’ll be back sailing as we emerge out of the lee of the island and the wind will be more westerly which lends itself to a better sailing angle.
We are off!
After two days of introductions, safety briefings and boat procedures we have departed Ketchikan. We are currently making a whopping 3.3 knots as there is very little wind in Nichols Passage. Adam fed us well last night with a delicious shrimp curry and Duncan was the winner of a sporty game of the card version Monopoly. With the scenic views and light wind it's quite peaceful out here.