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| Those are tortillas in the hanging net. |
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| Mark's fingers are just visible in the candy-colored cocoon. |
Subject: 2 May PM Update
Sent: May 2, 2011 3:44 AM
We're on port tack for the first time. The northerly winds we've hoped for have arrived and we're doing 7 knots on course. The weather forecast for the next 48 hours looks good with increasing winds winds near the coast. We have 696 nm to go, so it's possible we'll arrive on the 5th, but more likely the 6th.
Last night we were visited by dolphins. We shined lights in the water and saw lots of small fish around the boat. Their eyes glowed brightly in our light. Apparently, the dolphins were feeding on them. The dolphins left us after the small fish disappeared.
Everyone is doing fine. We're very much looking forward to hot showers and a good meal on shore.
Sent: May 2, 2011 3:44 AM
We're on port tack for the first time. The northerly winds we've hoped for have arrived and we're doing 7 knots on course. The weather forecast for the next 48 hours looks good with increasing winds winds near the coast. We have 696 nm to go, so it's possible we'll arrive on the 5th, but more likely the 6th.
Last night we were visited by dolphins. We shined lights in the water and saw lots of small fish around the boat. Their eyes glowed brightly in our light. Apparently, the dolphins were feeding on them. The dolphins left us after the small fish disappeared.
Everyone is doing fine. We're very much looking forward to hot showers and a good meal on shore.
Subject: s/v chasch mer update
Sent: May 2, 2011 2:51 PM
Greetings once again but this time from N34.52.264 W133.04.928
We are on a 750 mile final for Long Beach and planning our approach. We've had lots of laughs along the way and this morning after sunrise we had one of the best. It seems that fatigue materializes in funny ways. Sometimes you zig-zag at the wheel because you are tired and we have no autopilot; the Jack in the Box ball stuck to the compass apparently does not count as a driver. This time Clive gave us a wonderful laugh. In the wee early hours of the morning while in the dark he managed to put his boots on the wrong feet and pulled his 4 hour watch; which includes lots of standing. When the sun came up he realized it and was comfortable enough to tell us and well the camera came out and the rest is history. For the record, we both have Sperry Fathoms and they are incredibly comfortable and for him to do that confirms the comfort.
We don't have an autopilot so each of us drives at least 6 hours in every 24 hour period. We started 4 hours on and 4 hours off at the time of departure and at this point, time of the day just does not make sense. We're all pretty screwed up. 10am this morning felt like 5 pm. We're still on HST time so the sun for us comes up around 330-400am?
We're going to have chili tonight. We bought 4 super large cans at Costco and can't wait for a good meal.
I've tried to take advantage of the lulls in the waves to cook and the last few days we've been grazing and kinda going hungry.
Many many years ago I found out about floating glass balls used to float fishing nets and I have always wanted one. I consider them the holy grail of sailing souvenirs and have only heard of them being discovered in the Pacific. Well, today we found one about 760 nautical miles west of Long beach and diverted to it and scooped it up. This simple little treasure to me is priceless.
dammitDavid
We had been moving along at a very calm pace in light winds and flat seas which was an extreme contrast to the previous couple of days. We really thought we got the 'gale' element out of our system and it was in the past. While all of us were in the cockpit enjoying the very nice afternoon conditions Mark noticed an object in the water off the starboard bow. From our perspective it actually looked to be green with sparkles. Bill turned the boat slightly to intercept it and under sail we managed to creep right up to it and in a slow turn Mark scooped it up with the gaff. We all thought it was fragile but in the end it turned out to be very robust. The lines wrapped around it were modern nylon so that ruled out the antique factor. The debate was short on whether to keep the lines or cut them off. Since they were encrusted with shells, and growth and crabs I cut it free. Then, while sitting on the transom I scrubbed it as clean as I could.
Glass on sailboats is not one of the preferred items because if it breaks it then creates many problems such as getting in the bilge and uhm, bare feet. And then, sometimes things just seem to work out. On this boat there are two hanging canvas storage bags that are accessed through the top of the deck aft of the wheel. The ball settled into the bag very well and was in no way now a hazard. When the boat heeled the bag was sized correctly to not swing against the hull. Now that it was safely stored it was easy to forget about it. But, I still had the feeling of having just captured the prize. I have wanted one of these ever since I heard of them. I knew they were in the Pacific and literally when I signed on for the delivery in the back of my mind I intended to look for one and do everything I could to get it. Graciously, the rest of the crew accommodated.
Sent: May 2, 2011 2:51 PM
Greetings once again but this time from N34.52.264 W133.04.928
We are on a 750 mile final for Long Beach and planning our approach. We've had lots of laughs along the way and this morning after sunrise we had one of the best. It seems that fatigue materializes in funny ways. Sometimes you zig-zag at the wheel because you are tired and we have no autopilot; the Jack in the Box ball stuck to the compass apparently does not count as a driver. This time Clive gave us a wonderful laugh. In the wee early hours of the morning while in the dark he managed to put his boots on the wrong feet and pulled his 4 hour watch; which includes lots of standing. When the sun came up he realized it and was comfortable enough to tell us and well the camera came out and the rest is history. For the record, we both have Sperry Fathoms and they are incredibly comfortable and for him to do that confirms the comfort.
We don't have an autopilot so each of us drives at least 6 hours in every 24 hour period. We started 4 hours on and 4 hours off at the time of departure and at this point, time of the day just does not make sense. We're all pretty screwed up. 10am this morning felt like 5 pm. We're still on HST time so the sun for us comes up around 330-400am?
We're going to have chili tonight. We bought 4 super large cans at Costco and can't wait for a good meal.
I've tried to take advantage of the lulls in the waves to cook and the last few days we've been grazing and kinda going hungry.
Many many years ago I found out about floating glass balls used to float fishing nets and I have always wanted one. I consider them the holy grail of sailing souvenirs and have only heard of them being discovered in the Pacific. Well, today we found one about 760 nautical miles west of Long beach and diverted to it and scooped it up. This simple little treasure to me is priceless.
dammitDavid
Calm (YouTube link)
Having gone through the previous gale we thought it was out of our system. We very much enjoyed the calmer conditions and the sun when it broke through the clouds. At this time we figured it was going to be a slower ride to Long Beach and settled in for the final run.
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| Glass ball way-point. |
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| 12am 5/2/11 to 12am 5/3/11 (149nm/1,795nm) |
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