20:30 UTC | 33°43.61N 122°03.01W
Surfing
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. Swells were 3 m. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. Skies were beautiful and spirits were high. We have settled into our watch rotations and adjusted to some sleep deprivation! 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! We’re having a blast!
Greg
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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.
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.
