0129UT | 49 43.96’N 127 58.40’W
Sailing
Ahoy Shipmates!
Day three out of Ketchikan and FALKEN is running wing on wing down the outside of Vancouver Island.
As the sun sets in a cascade of fire and Venus appears low in the sky to starboard, the magic of a clear night at sea settles over us. The wind fills in as we round Cape St. James into the open ocean.
With not a cloud in the sky and the sliver of a moon not yet up, the stars dominate, every constellation sharp above us. The only sound is the following waves carrying us along as we wander south.
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. We are in prime fishing boat territory, and not all of them are marked on AIS. So we keep a sharp eye out while the shooting stars keep us company through the night.
After a good sleep I draw the lucky watch that catches the sunrise. The wind has clocked round, and we work to set the pole sailing wing on wing, making a steady 8knts. The day is clear, with visibility all along the coast of Vancouver Island. The wildlife keeps coming: humpback and minke whales, five mola molas, dolphins, and a black-footed albatross.
And one round log. I swear it looked just like a turtle.
As the smells waft out of the galley and the crew gathers for dinner. We are all feeling lucky for such conditions!
Hold Fast, Virginia
P.S. Duncan says, “Hi, Nana!”
Fun fact of the day! Nautical miles are different from land miles because…
Land miles: Rooted in ancient Roman history, a statute mile originally came from 1,000 double-steps (paces) of a Roman soldier. It was later set at a flat 5,280 feet.
Nautical miles: Developed for marine and celestial navigation, a nautical mile is mathematically tied to the Earth’s circumference. It represents 1/60th of a degree (one minute) of latitude — about 1.15 statute miles, or 1,852 metres.
Virginia Marcy
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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.