07 32.73’N 086 29.34’W 2139 UT
We had fairly calm seas and good winds for the first half of the day with a happy crew, full Yankee and the main up. After our delicious beans we got to eat Adam’s famous M&M birthday cake and sing happy birthday to Matt, who got a brilliant half-moon moonset and bioluminescence all through the night. The sunset got a 6.8-star rating from our captain, which is quite high.
We surfed through the night; the seas were smooth to slight (?) and the stars bright enough to guide us. After the moon set it got a bit trickier somehow to see the stars, but the Papagayo winds stayed with us for longer than expected, allowing us to sail over 200 miles. We saw manta rays, and a pod of pantropic spotted dolphins came to dance on our wake. We jibed a couple of times through the night and then sailed wing on wing in the morning before ultimately motoring with 3 reefs in the rest of the day after the wind died down. We used the spinnaker pole to go wing on wing (the pole gets attached by the “donkey dick” on the mast, and we learned that in Spanish wing on wing translates to “donkey ears,” so we’re big fans of the donkey here today.) It’s been hot, dry, and sunny, but everyone’s spirits remain high. Captain Mary’s lime Tajín papaya slices are a hit.
// Andreea
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Passages and Purposes
As of today, Falken has taken us over 1800nm across the North Pacific. 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. For now, the latest challenge is to stay in the moment. The memories we’ve made here are priceless, even if we only connected for a few moments on our various paths in this world. So few people get this opportunity to “go dark” and live simply for a moment.
Baptism Off Ka’ena Point
For the ancient Hawaiians, O’ahu was the gathering place. On day one of Falcon’s passage to British Columbia, we were to pass this headland. In short order, the winds built to well over 30 knots on the beam. Below deck I took a seat on the low side and became drenched in sweat. I had finally rounded Ka’ena point.
Turning the corner
Yesterday found Falken on a Northward course, still heeled to port, climbing and falling over waves. Sunrise this morning found Falken in an entirely different condition, one familiar to her, but not yet to the current crew. And then a truly magic moment, a pod of dolphins at least fifty members strong came to dance on Falken’s bow wave. We are now joyfully headed northeast, on course toward our eventual destination of Prince Rupert. Falken has turned a corner.