32.3840° N, 64.6800° W
May 25, 2024
St. George’s, Bermuda
The crew is wrapping up their final moments in St. George’s, Bermuda. This has been my first time traveling outside of America. My time here has been overwhelmingly positive, from the 59º North Crew to the locals here in Bermuda. Community is deeply rooted in the culture of Bermuda, and 59º North Sailing holds the same values. I have the pleasure of working with crew members who have been sailing with 59º North before or learned about the organization through other sailors. The sailing community is small, but I have never seen an organization that is so well known and so highly praised by others. This should not come as a surprise if you have the opportunity to meet the Captains, Mates, and Crew who have worked with 59º North Sailing—they are extraordinary people.
As I am writing this, we are casting off the dock lines and heading to the fueling dock before we make our way to the Azores. Though the wind looks light, I have no doubt this trip will be memorable. The crew has been working tirelessly and has remained in good spirits in the face of the calm weather. I think during times like this we need to remember that though the minutes feel long, the days are short. I will be soaking up every minute I am here, and I am looking forward to what lies ahead.
- Athena | 59º North Apprentice
59ºNorthApprentice
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People Get Ready!
The last three days have been an intense (and intensely hot) period of discovery, practice, and planning. Because Adrienne II is not a 59N boat, there's been some extra setup and coordination needed including rigging all the sails that were out for repairs before we arrived. Its been a blast working alongside the 59N team getting to help them work things out on a less familiar boat in real time. Tomorrow morning we'll run through our Person Over Board training as the final pre-departure task, cast off and head out. Can't know all that it will be, but its going to be a great adventure out in the vast world with some pretty fantastic people.
Among the Channel Islands
In the wind shadow of SoCal we had a restful night with calm conditions ghosting through smooth seas. We’re getting ourselves in position for spicy weather tonight once we round Cape Conception, the seas build and the breeze freshens. It will be an upwind sail into an acceleration zone along a formable coast with few bailout points, Morro Bay being one. The crew is really gelling with lots of smiles and laughter on deck. Monterey is in our sights!
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.