Hello All,
We have had a great time getting to know all of the folks on the Island. Everyone has been so nice to us and helped us whenever we needed it. Elaine, the harbor master, gave us some fresh smoked salmon that she caught the other day and it was yummy. One of her friends gave us a tour of the fish plant today and showed us how they process the fish that are delivered here. There is only one cannery owned by Icicle Seafood's and they are trying very hard to create a market here so the fisherman fishing in these western waters have an option to deliver their catch instead of having to run all the way to Dutch Harbor 400 miles away.
Adak used to be a Navy town until the mid 1990's when budget cuts forced them off of the Island. There was even a McDonald's here. There are 100 permanent residents and housing left over from the Navy to serve 10,000. I would describe it as a modern ghost town. They have an airport that is big enough for a 737 to land once a week for freight and passengers and the biggest fuel dock capacity wise in all the Aleutian's. Dutch Harbor being the biggest fishing port in America as far as pounds caught can't even beat that.
Adak's motto is "where the wind begins" and after today I believe it. We had winds 35 gusting 50 today. I wanted to leave Tuesday but I think we will wait until Wednesday morning. A few fishing boats have come into the small boat harbor and said they are ducking and covering so we will wait to leave.
We have the boat full of fuel and water and did some shopping today so we are in hurry up and wait for the weather mode. Just another day at the office as they say.
I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Arrived in Adak 51 51.00N 176 39.35W
Hello All,
After getting anchored we had a good nights sleep in the gale forced winds. The anchorage was very good and so glad we make it there for the night. This morning the wind came down and we make tracks for Adak Harbor. We arrived at 1400 hours and were greeted by the very kind harbor master Elane. She gave us some Adak coffee mugs and a Bristol Bay news paper and let us talk to the customs in Dutch Harbor on her phone to let them know we have arrived in the U.S.A. She then gave us a ride to her house so we could take a shower, it has been awhile. On the way we had to help her tie up a fishing boat that came into port and it happened to be one of the Deadiest Catch boats, Mavarick. That was really cool to see it up close and got to say hello to the skipper Rick. We had a very nice time visiting at her house and the shower was awesome. She gave us a nickel tour of town and let us borrow an old truck to drive. She took off fishing for pink salmon and we headed for the local cafe for some good home cooked food. Wow, it is so nice to be here, you have know idea.
We will be here until Monday or Tuesday so we will get to know the place and check it all out.
I have more but I will save it for later.
I am back home and it feels great. I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
After getting anchored we had a good nights sleep in the gale forced winds. The anchorage was very good and so glad we make it there for the night. This morning the wind came down and we make tracks for Adak Harbor. We arrived at 1400 hours and were greeted by the very kind harbor master Elane. She gave us some Adak coffee mugs and a Bristol Bay news paper and let us talk to the customs in Dutch Harbor on her phone to let them know we have arrived in the U.S.A. She then gave us a ride to her house so we could take a shower, it has been awhile. On the way we had to help her tie up a fishing boat that came into port and it happened to be one of the Deadiest Catch boats, Mavarick. That was really cool to see it up close and got to say hello to the skipper Rick. We had a very nice time visiting at her house and the shower was awesome. She gave us a nickel tour of town and let us borrow an old truck to drive. She took off fishing for pink salmon and we headed for the local cafe for some good home cooked food. Wow, it is so nice to be here, you have know idea.
We will be here until Monday or Tuesday so we will get to know the place and check it all out.
I have more but I will save it for later.
I am back home and it feels great. I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Saturday, July 28, 2012
51 50.28N 176 08.35W Tanaga Island
Hello All,
We finally made it to Adak. The catch is as we were entering the bay a forecasted gale hit us like a freight train only 6 miles from the harbor. We were forced east and found a very nice bay to anchor in for the night. The gale is suppose to pass by tonight and we hope to go back the 20 miles to Adak tomorrow. Even though we are not in civilization yet, it is really nice to have the boat sit still. The anchorage is very protected and as the night has progressed the sky has been clearing and we are surrounded by beautiful lush green mountains and a half moon.
It was a tough decision to run and find shelter but there wasn't many options and now that we are here I am happy about the choice I made.
We are going to watch a movie now so I will get going.
PEACE
We finally made it to Adak. The catch is as we were entering the bay a forecasted gale hit us like a freight train only 6 miles from the harbor. We were forced east and found a very nice bay to anchor in for the night. The gale is suppose to pass by tonight and we hope to go back the 20 miles to Adak tomorrow. Even though we are not in civilization yet, it is really nice to have the boat sit still. The anchorage is very protected and as the night has progressed the sky has been clearing and we are surrounded by beautiful lush green mountains and a half moon.
It was a tough decision to run and find shelter but there wasn't many options and now that we are here I am happy about the choice I made.
We are going to watch a movie now so I will get going.
PEACE
Thursday, July 26, 2012
51 09.16 179 09.40W LAND HO
Hello All,
We just spotted our first land in 30 days. We are just off the southern coast of Amatignak Island which is one of the southern Islands of the Andreanof Island group. Adak belongs to the same group of Islands. We had to get 2.5 miles from it just to see the beach because of the fog but it's land. We are 100 miles out from our destination in Sweeper Cove on the west side of Adak. The wind has been light so I have been helping with the engine at low RPM's. We have a 16 mile long pass between 2 Islands to get through tomorrow afternoon with the tide so I am pushing us to get there in a timely manner. The tide runs at 2.5 knots so I want to get there in time to have it help us through. There are currents out here also that have effected our speed for and against since this morning so I hope it doesn't mess with us to much on our approach.
We have also crossed over to the Western Hemisphere. This is the first time in 2 years Freestyle has been on this side of 180. We hope to be in Adak about this time tomorrow 1900, so we are really excited.
That's all for now so I will talk to you later.
PEACE
We just spotted our first land in 30 days. We are just off the southern coast of Amatignak Island which is one of the southern Islands of the Andreanof Island group. Adak belongs to the same group of Islands. We had to get 2.5 miles from it just to see the beach because of the fog but it's land. We are 100 miles out from our destination in Sweeper Cove on the west side of Adak. The wind has been light so I have been helping with the engine at low RPM's. We have a 16 mile long pass between 2 Islands to get through tomorrow afternoon with the tide so I am pushing us to get there in a timely manner. The tide runs at 2.5 knots so I want to get there in time to have it help us through. There are currents out here also that have effected our speed for and against since this morning so I hope it doesn't mess with us to much on our approach.
We have also crossed over to the Western Hemisphere. This is the first time in 2 years Freestyle has been on this side of 180. We hope to be in Adak about this time tomorrow 1900, so we are really excited.
That's all for now so I will talk to you later.
PEACE
Monday, July 23, 2012
50 36.42N 169 56.47E
Hello All,
Our sailing has been up and down the last 48 hours so I have been motor sailing to help in the calm air. Luckily we have been sailing more than running the engine so I have been saving fuel. The one nice thing about running the engine is heat. I have a cabin heater that runs off of the engine coolant so when it is running the cabin is nice and warm. The temperature hasn't been to bad, it got down to 50 last night and we have been getting a little sunshine in the day for a few hours. The fog at night is thick and very wet.
The weather is calling for stronger wind in our favor to start sometime tonight and it looks like it will last for 4 days at least. That should get us to Adak which is 500 miles away. I will not guess our ETA yet but I am getting closer to figuring that out.
With the calm seas and slow sailing speeds I have been reading. I have had books on the boat since I left home and I figure it time to go through them to entertain myself. It passes the time and is good for the soul and mind.
That's all I have for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Our sailing has been up and down the last 48 hours so I have been motor sailing to help in the calm air. Luckily we have been sailing more than running the engine so I have been saving fuel. The one nice thing about running the engine is heat. I have a cabin heater that runs off of the engine coolant so when it is running the cabin is nice and warm. The temperature hasn't been to bad, it got down to 50 last night and we have been getting a little sunshine in the day for a few hours. The fog at night is thick and very wet.
The weather is calling for stronger wind in our favor to start sometime tonight and it looks like it will last for 4 days at least. That should get us to Adak which is 500 miles away. I will not guess our ETA yet but I am getting closer to figuring that out.
With the calm seas and slow sailing speeds I have been reading. I have had books on the boat since I left home and I figure it time to go through them to entertain myself. It passes the time and is good for the soul and mind.
That's all I have for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Saturday, July 21, 2012
50 14.41N 165 02.10E
Hello All,
We are finally back on course and have made some decent sailing miles the last 24 hours. I have done a little motor sailing but the wind always fills back in and I turn the engine off. These are not neck breaking speeds we are doing due to inconsistent winds but we are getting there a mile at a time. I still will not guess my arrival date in Adak but I will tell you that I will be beating my old record of 28 consecutive days at sea. That was my first Pacific crossing from San Diego to Marqueses Islands. That passage will still be the furthest I have traveled in the Pacific. We are now on day 25 with 650 miles to go. The Islands are getting bigger on the chart and we are more than ready to get there.
The weather has been pretty nice, partly cloudy with sun now and then. The temperature has been 48 at night and 52 in the day. The sea temperature has been around 56 to 57. I expect that number to get a little colder and the air temp warmer haha.
That's all I have for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
We are finally back on course and have made some decent sailing miles the last 24 hours. I have done a little motor sailing but the wind always fills back in and I turn the engine off. These are not neck breaking speeds we are doing due to inconsistent winds but we are getting there a mile at a time. I still will not guess my arrival date in Adak but I will tell you that I will be beating my old record of 28 consecutive days at sea. That was my first Pacific crossing from San Diego to Marqueses Islands. That passage will still be the furthest I have traveled in the Pacific. We are now on day 25 with 650 miles to go. The Islands are getting bigger on the chart and we are more than ready to get there.
The weather has been pretty nice, partly cloudy with sun now and then. The temperature has been 48 at night and 52 in the day. The sea temperature has been around 56 to 57. I expect that number to get a little colder and the air temp warmer haha.
That's all I have for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
48 39.54N 162 09.76E
Hello All,
We have finally made it through to the other side of the East winds and should be looking at getting back on coarse in the next 24 hours. We have made a lot of North with this system now we need to go East to get to the Islands. The wind has been very strong at times and it has been 3 days since we got into this. We are ready to start getting back on track and the weather looks good to do that by tomorrow night.
Stefan baked a cake today so that was a nice treat. It is Betty Crocker but still good none the less. All is well onboard, I have been reading to pass the time and since it has gotten colder we sit out side much less. We just take turns sticking our head out and look for ships. We have been lucky the last few days as there has not been a lot of fog.
That's it for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
We have finally made it through to the other side of the East winds and should be looking at getting back on coarse in the next 24 hours. We have made a lot of North with this system now we need to go East to get to the Islands. The wind has been very strong at times and it has been 3 days since we got into this. We are ready to start getting back on track and the weather looks good to do that by tomorrow night.
Stefan baked a cake today so that was a nice treat. It is Betty Crocker but still good none the less. All is well onboard, I have been reading to pass the time and since it has gotten colder we sit out side much less. We just take turns sticking our head out and look for ships. We have been lucky the last few days as there has not been a lot of fog.
That's it for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Monday, July 16, 2012
21 Days from Japan
Hello All,
We finally got into some sailing wind the only thing is it is from the East which is pushing us away from Alaska. A front is passing in front of us and it is bringing with it 30 knots of wind. We are heading North as fast as I dare to drive ourselves out of it. It has been a pretty bumpy ride the last 24 hours and is suppose to stay this way for another 24 hours. The air is getting much cooler and the sea temp is in the 50s now. I hope this system only sets us back a day or to.
We have been on the water for 21 days now and we are getting excited to get to the Aleutians even with the little set back. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
That's all I have for now. I am to busy trying to hold on here LOL.
PEACE
We finally got into some sailing wind the only thing is it is from the East which is pushing us away from Alaska. A front is passing in front of us and it is bringing with it 30 knots of wind. We are heading North as fast as I dare to drive ourselves out of it. It has been a pretty bumpy ride the last 24 hours and is suppose to stay this way for another 24 hours. The air is getting much cooler and the sea temp is in the 50s now. I hope this system only sets us back a day or to.
We have been on the water for 21 days now and we are getting excited to get to the Aleutians even with the little set back. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
That's all I have for now. I am to busy trying to hold on here LOL.
PEACE
Saturday, July 14, 2012
42 38.52N 159 45.49E
Hello All,
We did very good the last few days sailing, but as of last night the wind calmed down and I am now running the engine. The sea looks like a mirror at the moment with only tiny small ripples in the water. We have what I call a little flat spot in front of us then a Southeast wind in a day or 2. That will work okay for us, but then it is suppose to turn more to the East which will force us North. I guess we will see what happens in the next few days. The wind being up and down has us very frustrated at times but never get upset over what you cannot control. I have to keep saying that to myself.
We have been in the fog for 3 days straight now with only a hint of sun trying to shine through from time to time. This is the path of the great circle route from Asia to North America so there have been a few ships I have seen but not seen. I find them on the RADAR or my new AIS ship tracking system. The water temp is down to 65 degrees. I haven't seen water that cold in a long time. We are wearing all of our cold weather gear at night. It has been getting down to 59 degrees so far and it's only going to get colder.
That's all I have for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
We did very good the last few days sailing, but as of last night the wind calmed down and I am now running the engine. The sea looks like a mirror at the moment with only tiny small ripples in the water. We have what I call a little flat spot in front of us then a Southeast wind in a day or 2. That will work okay for us, but then it is suppose to turn more to the East which will force us North. I guess we will see what happens in the next few days. The wind being up and down has us very frustrated at times but never get upset over what you cannot control. I have to keep saying that to myself.
We have been in the fog for 3 days straight now with only a hint of sun trying to shine through from time to time. This is the path of the great circle route from Asia to North America so there have been a few ships I have seen but not seen. I find them on the RADAR or my new AIS ship tracking system. The water temp is down to 65 degrees. I haven't seen water that cold in a long time. We are wearing all of our cold weather gear at night. It has been getting down to 59 degrees so far and it's only going to get colder.
That's all I have for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Friday, July 13, 2012
41 05.39N 155 08.38E
Hello All,
We have had some good winds the last 2 days. Yesterday was a little light but we were making headway. This morning the wind came up a bit and now we are sailing along at a pretty good speed. The wind is on the stern so we only have my big yankee sail up and its doing a great job keeping us moving along. We have had fog off and on the last few days and the air temp is getting colder. It is getting in the mid 60's at night and right at 70 in the day. The water temp is dropping also at a cool 68 degrees.
We are pretty excited today, a few hours ago we passed the half way to Adak mark. I will make land fall in Adak because it is the closest inhabited Aleutian Island and a place where I can get the boat fueled up. We will head for Dutch Harbor from there. I hope with our good sailing at the moment that this next half of the trip will be a little better than the first half. It hasn't been to bad, I am just looking for more constant wind than we have had in the last few weeks.
All is good onboard and I will keep you posted.
PEACE
We have had some good winds the last 2 days. Yesterday was a little light but we were making headway. This morning the wind came up a bit and now we are sailing along at a pretty good speed. The wind is on the stern so we only have my big yankee sail up and its doing a great job keeping us moving along. We have had fog off and on the last few days and the air temp is getting colder. It is getting in the mid 60's at night and right at 70 in the day. The water temp is dropping also at a cool 68 degrees.
We are pretty excited today, a few hours ago we passed the half way to Adak mark. I will make land fall in Adak because it is the closest inhabited Aleutian Island and a place where I can get the boat fueled up. We will head for Dutch Harbor from there. I hope with our good sailing at the moment that this next half of the trip will be a little better than the first half. It hasn't been to bad, I am just looking for more constant wind than we have had in the last few weeks.
All is good onboard and I will keep you posted.
PEACE
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
39 30.32N 152 48.71E
Hello All,
After having wind off and on the last 2 days it finally calmed completely. We sat adrift for 4 hours yesterday and I started the engine at 1900. I ran it until noon today when the wind filled back in and now under sail once again. The weather has been very warm and sunny off and on. A far cry from the rain showers we got 2 nights ago.
I have been looking at the weather and wasn't expecting anything until tomorrow so this was a nice little surprise. We were in the middle of a big high pressure but now I see it's falling again which means wind or rain or both. We will take what ever mother nature has in store to get me home and with 1400 miles to get to Adak we welcome it.
All is well onboard and I have been reading for the first time in a while.
I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
After having wind off and on the last 2 days it finally calmed completely. We sat adrift for 4 hours yesterday and I started the engine at 1900. I ran it until noon today when the wind filled back in and now under sail once again. The weather has been very warm and sunny off and on. A far cry from the rain showers we got 2 nights ago.
I have been looking at the weather and wasn't expecting anything until tomorrow so this was a nice little surprise. We were in the middle of a big high pressure but now I see it's falling again which means wind or rain or both. We will take what ever mother nature has in store to get me home and with 1400 miles to get to Adak we welcome it.
All is well onboard and I have been reading for the first time in a while.
I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Monday, July 9, 2012
37 54.24N 151 01.19E
Hello All,
After struggling sailing and light winds the last few days we are now adrift. The wind came down completely and are now waiting for a predicted South Easterly to fill in. It is starting to show a little now so we are just waiting for enough to move. I have been very patient in this passage so far but it is wearing on me a little. I have never moved so slow in the 3 years of sailing. I have about 150 hours of diesel on board but am saving it for the Alaska end of the passage. So through the middle of the North Pacific I will do it Captain Cook style. So far this is making out to be my longest passage at sea. The mileage is second shortest but lack of wind makes it difficult.
We are keeping our hopes up and you never know when a breeze comes along and gets you moving again.
All is well here, we have just been reading and cleaning up the boat.
I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
After struggling sailing and light winds the last few days we are now adrift. The wind came down completely and are now waiting for a predicted South Easterly to fill in. It is starting to show a little now so we are just waiting for enough to move. I have been very patient in this passage so far but it is wearing on me a little. I have never moved so slow in the 3 years of sailing. I have about 150 hours of diesel on board but am saving it for the Alaska end of the passage. So through the middle of the North Pacific I will do it Captain Cook style. So far this is making out to be my longest passage at sea. The mileage is second shortest but lack of wind makes it difficult.
We are keeping our hopes up and you never know when a breeze comes along and gets you moving again.
All is well here, we have just been reading and cleaning up the boat.
I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Friday, July 6, 2012
36 58.54N 149 08.65E
Hello All,
It has been a mixed bag of light winds and flat calm the last 2 days. We have been making some miles, even though the winds have been light. Last night the wind came down all together so we pulled the sails down, made some dinner and watched a few shows on Stefans computer on deck. It was a beautiful evening and afterwards we both went to bed. It was very nice to have 6 hours of undisturbed sleep. It was still calm when I got up so I started the engine and started making our way North. At 0900 the wind started to pick up and we both got the sails up and we were sailing again. We have had good wind all day and I expect it will increase though the night. It may get a little rough but at least we will be moving along.
All is well and we are happy to be sailing again.
That's all for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
It has been a mixed bag of light winds and flat calm the last 2 days. We have been making some miles, even though the winds have been light. Last night the wind came down all together so we pulled the sails down, made some dinner and watched a few shows on Stefans computer on deck. It was a beautiful evening and afterwards we both went to bed. It was very nice to have 6 hours of undisturbed sleep. It was still calm when I got up so I started the engine and started making our way North. At 0900 the wind started to pick up and we both got the sails up and we were sailing again. We have had good wind all day and I expect it will increase though the night. It may get a little rough but at least we will be moving along.
All is well and we are happy to be sailing again.
That's all for now so I will talk to you soon.
PEACE
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
35 06.70N 146 31.62E
Hello All,
We have been sailing pretty much the last 48 hours. We had a real nice south west breeze starting on Tuesday night then picked up to 20 plus knots. By last night it was blowing over 30 knots so I had my smallest sails up to keep us moving. The wind was in our direction so besides a rough ride we did very well. This morning the wind turned very light so we are motoring at the moment. I will shut the engine down in a few hours and hope something fills in. I only have enough diesel for about 1200 miles so I need to conserve, after all it is a sailboat,right?
I got in touch with a cruiser on the SSB radio last night. Steven from the U.S. We met in Guam and he went to north Japan to do some cruising. He is about 900 miles south west of Dutch Harbor so he is a few weeks ahead of me. We had a nice chat on the radio and I will tune in tonight and we will keep in touch.
In the calm sea I have been doing some light maintenance. I put 10 gallons reserve water in the tanks and took my on deck jerry cans and topped off the starboard fuel tank. I also put some small patches in the yankee jib sail. I am also reading a book Jon from Basque gave me. It is the history of Basqueland. Very interesting read.
That's about all I know so I will let you go.
PEACE
We have been sailing pretty much the last 48 hours. We had a real nice south west breeze starting on Tuesday night then picked up to 20 plus knots. By last night it was blowing over 30 knots so I had my smallest sails up to keep us moving. The wind was in our direction so besides a rough ride we did very well. This morning the wind turned very light so we are motoring at the moment. I will shut the engine down in a few hours and hope something fills in. I only have enough diesel for about 1200 miles so I need to conserve, after all it is a sailboat,right?
I got in touch with a cruiser on the SSB radio last night. Steven from the U.S. We met in Guam and he went to north Japan to do some cruising. He is about 900 miles south west of Dutch Harbor so he is a few weeks ahead of me. We had a nice chat on the radio and I will tune in tonight and we will keep in touch.
In the calm sea I have been doing some light maintenance. I put 10 gallons reserve water in the tanks and took my on deck jerry cans and topped off the starboard fuel tank. I also put some small patches in the yankee jib sail. I am also reading a book Jon from Basque gave me. It is the history of Basqueland. Very interesting read.
That's about all I know so I will let you go.
PEACE
Monday, July 2, 2012
33 59.10N 143 43.20E
Hello All,
We have had 2 great days sailing and are making East and North so we are getting a little closer. As we speak the wind came down and we are just crawling, in fact the Kuro shio counter current is pushing us south a little. The wind should fill back in tonight so we will be waiting for it with baited breath. When we get a little futher north the main current should send us East where we need to go. Days like these teach me a whole lot of patience.
All is well onboard and we have been enjoying the beautiful sunny day. I know these nice hot days are numbered so we will soak it up while we can.
That's all for now.
PEACE
We have had 2 great days sailing and are making East and North so we are getting a little closer. As we speak the wind came down and we are just crawling, in fact the Kuro shio counter current is pushing us south a little. The wind should fill back in tonight so we will be waiting for it with baited breath. When we get a little futher north the main current should send us East where we need to go. Days like these teach me a whole lot of patience.
All is well onboard and we have been enjoying the beautiful sunny day. I know these nice hot days are numbered so we will soak it up while we can.
That's all for now.
PEACE
Sunday, July 1, 2012
32 22.40N 140 00.80E
Hello All,
We have had pretty light winds the last few days so I have been burning some fuel to get us off shore into more favorable winds. We finally got just that and have been sailing right along. Not really the speed that I would like but we will take it. We are hoping for more wind in the next few days so we will be holding our breath. Yesterday was beautiful sunny and today more overcast and rain off and on. So far it has been uneventful and I hope it stays that way.
All is well onboard and Stefan turns out to be pretty good at cooking.
I will write more later.
PEACE
We have had pretty light winds the last few days so I have been burning some fuel to get us off shore into more favorable winds. We finally got just that and have been sailing right along. Not really the speed that I would like but we will take it. We are hoping for more wind in the next few days so we will be holding our breath. Yesterday was beautiful sunny and today more overcast and rain off and on. So far it has been uneventful and I hope it stays that way.
All is well onboard and Stefan turns out to be pretty good at cooking.
I will write more later.
PEACE
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