Day 191, Year 8: Windbird’s Trek to Cape Cod, Day 14
Date: Monday, May 13, 2013
Weather: Sunny and Cool, Winds SW 8-30, Temp in the Upper 50’s F
Latitude: 39 49.498 N
Longitude: 074 55.175 W
Location: First Day of Offshore Passage, Passing North Around Cape May, NJ
Captain’s Log for Monday, May 13:
“The seas are on the quarter and typing is very tricky as we are rolling heavily. We started about 6:30 this morning and soon had strong current in our favor. That lasted for hours. We made good time under sunny skies. As the day progressed the winds built and we were able to sail. But they were erratic. We would be coasting along with 8 to 10 knots of wind and then get slammed with 20 or 25 knots. Once we even got 38 knots. Needless to say, we reefed the main, and soon thereafter, we rolled up the headsail. That is the way we have sailed the rest of the day and will continue that way tonight. To make our course toward home we must sail a beam reach which, with the seas, is not a comfortable ride. But all is well. Lynda is heating dinner – a new challenge for her in these conditions. Lee is on watch. The weather forecast didn’t quite predict this but the forecast does predict lower winds later tomorrow – and from a bit more favorable direction. Even with all this, all three of us managed to get a little shut-eye today so we are prepared for our watches tonight.”
I talked to Mark around 6 pm and he reiterated everything he says in the log. I’m really hoping the ride settles down. I really hate to see Lynda have her first ocean passage be a rough one. But Mother Nature has a mind of her own and when it comes to weather, you get what you get and you do the best you can with it. In any case, I hope to see them coming through the Eel Pond bridge late on Wednesday. I miss Windbird so much, and miss Mark even more. If I have my way, Windbird won’t be sailing without me again.
