Captain & Crew

Nam

San Diego Arrival

The guys arrived on Saturday morning and I await photo's from Steve so we can share all their exuberant happiness. Thanks Tom and Lois (and boys) for your hospitality and thank you Zune (Nam's wife) for sharing a meal with the boys after arrival. Steve is getting around in Tom's flat- bead pickup which he loves and will move the boat from the police dock to Tom's marina on Thursdayish this week. Amy should be arriving there this week and may babysit the boat while Steve comes home to button up the Carnation hatches before the Baha ha ha festivities begin. Estimated departure from San Diego in October 26th.

Catalina Bay

I spoke with Steve yesterday around 1:00 pm. "We are arriving early so we'll check out Catalina." The run from Monteray Bay was foggy, "On our three hour watches we were on the edge of our seats." Steve says the had two days of strong wind, clear skys, and absolutely no problems with the boat. "We hauled ass around point Conception in a 35 knot southerly wind, all night." Auto is their best friend, and Nam continues to teach unknown details about the instruments on board. Thanks Nam, I'm sure I'll appreciate this while sailing south to Mexico. The boys are eating Macaroni and cheese compliments of Paul, and Nam is cooking stir fry for dinner. Steve's last words (other than I love you), "We're cutting our toenails and drying out."

ONE WEEK AT SEA
No word from Steve today, yet................ I hope he'll call but reception is lousy and I am certain they have their hands full.
The picture to the left of Steve and his brother Paul was taken at the dock in Everett (from my cel phone) prior to departure. The few I took of Nam disappeared (sorry Nam).

Hello Monterey Bay!
Steve called this morning after four nights sailing without communication. They are all doing excellent however it sounds like they are running out of healthy food, "eating crap" was his reply to my enquiry. I had to remind him of exactly what I packed for him as taking the time to look is the challenge. Fifteen to twenty foot waves and fog have been the nightly challenge, and the traffic around the San Francisco Bay was hairy. (Please excuse my lack of nautical verbage, I'm sure this will improve with time). Paul continues to provide excellent navigation support and Nam is just Nam....absolutely an asset! How lucky you are Steve! We only spoke briefly, so more to be revealed. Apparently Paul has a flight out of San Diego next Monday so the race is on for the four boys in a tub, I mean..............The four men on a ship!

DAY FOUR

Hi everyone! It is currently 6:00pm Saturday evening and I just got off the phone with Steve. They were in Coos Bay around 3:00pm refueling and the boys were taking showers. They were unable to go through the 'hole in the wall' due to overall conditions ie fog, tide and currents. The most important thing about this report is that Steve sounded absolutely positive and clearly in his prime. Nam and Paul are a great crew! Apparently Nam was sick for awhile, a normal beginning for him, but his computer skills and Vietnamese food are appreciated big time! Paul and Steve are working as a team and are bonding in brotherhood. I have to say that Paul, Steve and Nam are a handsome crew and 'fit' beyond belief. Babe magnets as my daughter would say. I'll try to figure the photo thing out soon.
Apparently crossing the bar at Coos bay was exciting and challenging. The coast guard was there to greet them for directions and support. At present they are motoring south and Steve thinks Monteray Bay will be their next stop. "We are sailing very little. This is a delivery not a sailing trip." Sounds all business to me, yet he was smiling while speaking...I just know it!
I'm up in the hills with my horse till Wednesday and will report when I return.
Rita

Received a call from Steve yesterday morning around 9:00am. They were 35 miles off the coast, they figure close to Seaside. Fog was ever present all night yet at the time he called the crew was up and it was clear and 65* all were in good spirits, rested and having a good time.
Steve said that they were probably heading into Newport for fuel although I did not confirm that with him yesterday. Again, no news is good news, yet he has called every day since departure. Our reception is always poor and I just get bits and pieces. To be continued..................

Everett Departure

Welcome to our blog site and thanks for your interest in our sailing adventure to Mexico. It started yesterday when Steve and I picked up Paul at Meagan and Chris' home in Seward Park. Paul left his car there and I then dropped the guys off at Everett Marina. Nam is the other crew member who will be sailing with them to San Diego. (Paul is Steve's brother and Nam and Steve have been dock neighbors for years). I received a call at 7:30am that they had left port at 6:30am today. All very excited, no wind, no fog, slight rain. Steve gave me the marine forecast website ndbc/nwsforecst, apparently they use this often. The goal is to head south around the bottom of Whidbey Island then north through the straights of Juan De Fuca and around the corner at Cape Flattery. This part of the journey alone may take 24 hours. I will await the next phone call. Apparently they are looking forward to crossing the hole in the wall which is some special, narrow pass that Captain Blake Hirsh (Steve & Paul's Dad) recommends. Our motto is: No news is good news. - Rita