Day 10

 

July 12

At sunrise J & O were headed deep downwind, keeping as much east in our course as possible.

Sea and sky aren't so bright blue as they were last week. 

Day 9

 July 11

Still overcast, but brighter.  Watch standing last night and this morning felt solid, conditions were pretty steady. 

Today we've redeployed the hydro-generator, and ran the diesel generator and water maker. 

Jeff and Olivia both got sufficient sleep last night. Jeff is running a deficit tho. 

We've been commenting that everything is in a LOT better condition than our first Passage. (I mean it better g-d be after 2 years of projects! Lol.) 

Day 8

July 10

Gray day. Not much to report.

Some motoring, not too much. Decent sailing, more East than North, but ::shrug:: whatcha gonna do?

Reading, Napping, baked biscuits, roasted veg with pasta sausage pesto & parm. For dinner. 

Bordering sleep deprivation for Jeff. I'm not at much of a deficit. 

Night watch was chilly, but maybe it's just me, Olivia was dressed in sweats, and fine. I wore about 4 layers.

Day 7

 Day 7 - July 9

Well, it was a rough night after midnight Olivia and Jeff had to deal with extremely shifty winds, a couple thunder-head clouds, and other stressful conditions. And we were very apprehensive as to the conditions we would experience on Sunday. The models were conflicting at best and discouraging at worst. But we kept our fingers crossed and trusted our best hunches and kept hunting down that front. 

We reached it and found some breeze, enough to stay with it and use what energy we could, and it just kept getting better. I felt so much gratitude all day long, and continue to feel blessed as night falls. Our heading is favorable, our speed is good. The boat is really rolling as the waves have built and we head pretty hard on the wind. But, at least we are heading in the right direction & under sail!

The highlight (besides finding wind after fearing we'd be stranded in the high pressure, with dwindling fuel reserves and 1500 miles to go) of the day was being visited by a pod of dolphins! What a joy that was to witness. We could hear them watch them interacting with each other and racing with our bows. So cool!!

Yesterday, I was impressed by the 75° water temp. It's only 72° today. I guess we exited some current I wasn't aware of and it is much cooler tonight. I've got quite a few layers on (including a beanie and wool socks, lol) and am quite comfy. 

Day 6 - Late

 

Saturday Night

Feels like a long day, maybe because we were out in the sun a bunch today, on deck or even in the water (for some of us). We had extremely light winds all day and have been running steady on engines headed north. The weather forecast models show a band of slightly more wind headed NW (same way we want to go!) And we've been inching our way trusting the info. 

I had an inclination to wait, becalmed, but the forecast and all wise advice pointed out why we really shouldn't do that this week. … all the signs suggest it just isn't going to get easier to get to the PNW if we miss the opportunity of this weak front.

So, engines it is.

It's still really warm. Not Hawaii-warm, but warm nonetheless. Our sensors indicate a water temperature of 75°. I'm curious to see how this changes as we go along. But luckily for Jeff and Olivia who went in the water today, it wasn't too bad. What a nasty bunch of abandoned sun-baked nylon rope Jeff pulled off the prop. It's so aggravating! He said it wrecked a bunch of our fancy fresh bottom-paint too, where it rubbed. UGH! 

The stars have been incredible, even at sea-level with all this humidity, the chance to sit under a dark & starry sky is a treasure. Last night we had the special treat of cruising through a bit of bioluminescence. So bizarre. So magical. 

Day 6

Saturday, July 8

Another truly beautiful morning out here on Big Blue.

Yesterday was slow & steady, very light winds as we find ourselves well & completely entrenched in this big Pacific high and no clear path presents itself :::sigh:::

Either because of the shipping lanes or the circular flow of the water here, we are seeing more debris and flotsam than other days.

Even to the point of discovering a section of fishing net hooked onto our stbd rudder. Yikes!! Jeff and Olivia were able to dislodge and retrieve it. And now the offensive thing is stashed in our forward hold. Last night Jeff decided to run the port engine, and it started and ran (yay) in neutral, but there was a terrible vibration when it was put in gear. It turns out there is more abandoned fishing gear wrapped around the prop. SOB!!!
(And please don't ask how we know, lol) The unhappy plan is to bring the boat to a stall & dive on it today.

Earlier yesterday we ran the generator and the watermaker. We made good quality water and refilled the 60 gallon tank. At the same time we each showered and washed our hair and a few bits of laundry. Aaaah!

Everyone is in good spirits. Relaxed and rested, we've got some moves to make and are doing our best to make em count. Wish us luck.

Day 5? July 7

Another beautiful day on planet earth.

We are just shy of Lat. 32° and Long. 157°

The winds are nice. Actually, nice. Around 10-15. Not cold. Small towers of puffy clouds scattered across the sky. And while there is more than 1 swell & wind wind direction. They are all pretty small and not too fast.

I don't think I expected this kind of pleasantness. But I'll take it!!

Especially because the most sure thing is change... lol