Our 1st Pacific Crossing

The answer to your question is yes. There is water as far as the eye can see in every direction. The ocean is humbling and beautiful beyond words. Sometimes, we hear the mermaids singing, the stars are outrageous, and the sunsets are more glorious than any painting or picture we’ve ever seen. 

The answer to your question is no. We cannot anchor in the middle of the ocean (16,000 feet deep), and we have not seen another boat in fifteen days. We do not feel lonely, perhaps because we have each other. We don’t worry about getting lost because we have a map, a backup map, and another backup map. We also log our position frequently, and if necessary, we can reach into the depths of our brains and recall how to locate ourselves and our destination using a technique called dead reckoning. Well, maybe I worry a little about getting lost.

The answer is yes. Boredom lives here, but always something overtakes it. A squall, a dolphin, a flying fish, a wave, an idea, a good book, a phone call, a downloaded movie, writing, or a rainbow splash it away. Someone is always awake, watching the wind and the water. Sometimes, the birds keep us company, and sometimes, we take a nap.

The answer is no. It is not relaxing out here in the sea because the sails have to be changed, and the water has to be desalinated. Food has to be caught and prepared, bathrooms need to be cleaned, and repairs have to be made, all while saving energy and staying on watch. There is never no one on watch. 

The answer is yes. We exercise every day. We turn up the music and dance. When no one on earth is watching, we can dance however we like.

The answer is no. We do not drink alcohol when we are sailing because we need to have our wits about us. (We’re not big drinkers anyway.)

The answer is yes. This is the farthest distance (3070 nm) we’ve ever sailed in one passage (but not the longest length of time or our most challenging sail.) It is an arduous journey that causes fatigue and pain in the strangest places. We get seasick. Sometimes, it rains, and the sea tosses us about. We have to hold on tight. Rarely, we are afraid.

The answer is no. We don’t consider the journey to be our favorite part; we prefer the destination. We don’t regret it, and we don’t romanticize it. 

The answer is yes.  We are the same people, but also changed for good because this cannot be undone. Our perspective is undeniably altered forever.

The answer is no. We do not drive each other crazy when we sail. We do not argue, bicker, or blame each other for anything. I don’t know why (because sometimes we do on land). I think the answer is blowing in the wind.

Last remarks

• We will be among the first generation of sailors to cross the Pacific Ocean with Starlink. The 12 in x 24 in rectangular dish attached to Gerty’s port-side stanchion has made it possible to check the weather more accurately and talk to our friends and family throughout the voyage. This has increased our safety and lifted our spirits. For this amazing technology, we are grateful.
• To the boobie who hitchhiked 600 miles on the first three days of our passage, the dolphins, and the hundreds of flying fish, thank you for entertaining us.
• To the Mahi we fished out of its home, thank you for feeding us.
• To the Pacific Ocean and Poseidon, if you’re really down there, thank you for providing fair winds and following seas.
• To Gerty, you did it!!
• And to Michael, thank you for taking me sailing.