COMMUNICATIONS
Sorry, no photos on this blog. We’re 9 days and 1600 miles from the Galapagos sailing west to the Marquesas, the entry point to French Polynesia. Our communication is over a sat Phone and emails go thru the sat phone and no bandwidth for photos or attachments. I’m imposing on Camille, Mike’s daughter to help me post this.
HALF WAY PARTY
We’ll celebrate our halfway party today but actually hit it last night. While we’re ½ way mileage-wise we’re over ½ way time-wise as it’s so slow getting out of Galapagos and now we’re hauling at 9-10 knots vs 5-6. Hopefully arrive into Nuka Hiva, Marquesas Sunday, Apr 3 or Monday, Apr 4. I made a beef stew and put in freezer in Panama for dinner and Issy made awesome banana bread for breakfast. Everyone gets 1 cold beer to celebrate ½ way with a lot more to come on our arrival.
FISHING
2 nice tuna for dinners and lunch and a gorgeous neon blue marlin that we released when we got him to the boat. As much as I wanted some fresh fish we all decided to let it go.
THE RHYTHM
Everyone is getting into their own routines to pass the time. Mike and I have been reading a lot and Cullen has 100 games but is also on his 3rd Lord of the Rings book in 9 days. We watched Moana on Cullen’s IPAD yesterday. It was surreal to watch a beautiful movie about the South Pacific in the middle of the South Pacific!
THE FEARLESS CREW
Harry and Issy have performed flawlessly. They have been absolutely awesome and so nice. Mike has been, well he’s been Mike. Willing to do anything to make things work better. Couldn’t be a better guy in the universe to have along. The time with Cullen has been a gift. Funny how little time you actually spend with your kids between work and school. He’s willing to do anything that Capt. Harry asks and just smiles and tries to help however he can. I’m really proud of how he’s handled this, especially since he told me on our first watch he’s ”kinda afraid of the Ocean”. Me, well I’m doin what I’ve been dreamin about forever so that’s awesome. Not all roses though, so far in heavy seas I manged to shut a 400 degree oven on my forearm and I now have a little additional crease on my forehead from getting attacked by a stair but all good.
THE STARS
Staring at the stars at night is very humbling. You’re on watch, by yourself, 1500 miles from the nearest land and 70 miles from the nearest boat… if they could hear you. Mike and I decided that every once and a while you have to do something that stretches you and makes you a wee bit afraid.
Love the journey but we all miss family and friends/ YOU.
– John
This is such a wonderful post! Sounds like everyone is living their dream. And what a great dream team you have on board. Thanks for the update!
I have chills reading your blog with so much excitement and admiration for this great journey you are on together – both physically and mentally. Go Bless!!
Sounds like a terrific group on a peaceful journey ~
take care, safe travels!!
Wonderful post! Thanks Chief for sharing the journey with us.
You only get 18 Christmas’ and 18 summers with your kids before they’re out on their own, I’ve heard. Scares me a little to think of time passing so quickly with my girls.
On that slow boat across the Pacific, I hope time stops and neon fish mark a year’s worth of new memories with Cullen.
“See you out there, Moana…”
A blessing to live your dream with family and friends and God. What an experience!
Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us ❤️
John – these posts are all SOO interesting and thoughtful. I think many of us are living vicariously through you – this is not an adventure I’d ever thought about doing but I am so loving following along yours!
John, Mike, Cullen and Crew,
Appreciate the updates. Stay strong and enjoy! 💪🙏
Love, Corey and Jenny
What is Irish Blessing’s fastest speed on the trip?
12.7 knots highest speed
Awesome update!! Sounds like the team is working out perfectly. That is one amazing stretch of ocean to be skipping across. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the greats for a long ocean crossing. Every extra day at sea makes the destination that much sweeter. That fist cold beer ashore will be the best one you have ever had… Have you had the spinnaker up yet?
No spinnaker. We either have 25 or 0