Capt John (via ocens mail)
06/16/2012

Salt air takes a toll....on EVERYTHING....outside AND inside the cabin. Gallivant lives in the Puget Sound, a salt water sound but the open ocean salt air has been taking a real toll. I don't know all the why's....maybe it's just .....saltier. the sat phone when in its charging cradle was acting up. Coming on then blip start over again.....then again..........and again.....etc. Ya know the little connector pin thingy's on the bottom of your cell phone for charging and connecting to you computer? Well I had a thought that maybe a good connection wasn't happening. I had used Dielectric grease through out Gallivant when installing all of the electronics on her as an ounce of prevention and man am I glad that I did! Just a touch of the goo was all it needed to come alive and stay that way. Latter we had an external antennae thing giving us fits. I thought it was the satellites beam being blocked by the sails and I still believe that is part of it, but a touch of goo on the antennae connection and we are not perfect all the time but much much better. Ocean voyage?......dielectric grease, don't leave home without it. (or duct tape, 3M 5200, hat, etc. etc.etc.................)

Comments [1]

Jenni
06/15/2012

We have recieved so many wonderful emails, facebook messages, texts and phone calls about from people who have been following the blog or heard about Dad's rescue by RELIANCE from the local news reports or the AP. Many of you have been asking about Dad's health and progress. Thank you for your many prayers and kind well wishes for him! He continues to improve, slowly but steadily, and we hope that in the weeks and months ahead, as he determinedly applies that Bourdon tenacity supported by family and friends, he will continue to regain his strength and vitality.

Comments [2]

Capt John
06/15/2012, 25 01.139'N:-145.021843 (1130)

(0800): 859 miles to go! Speed has dropped a bit, but hoping to see that improve as the weather system gets closer to us.

(1130): Well I got all of dad's clothes "washed." I tied a rope to them, stood on the bow and let the tumble wash of the waves breaking from the bow do their thing. Then tried out the hammock at sea. ummmm....wow!
Justin took a video of me "napping". Try to imagine a tumble/spin cycle  from inside a front loading washing machine while it's strapped on a corkscrew rollercoaster and that was about it. Not such a good idea after a lunch consisting of a can of smoked oysters, crackers n beer...........The cabin now feels like a Cadillac.
 Winds have fallen off again and we have slowed a bit. Still on course for Honolulu.

Comments [1]

Capt John via ocens email
06/14/2012

a New Cure for Seasickness?

Oh what a day......yes it felt great to get fresh and clean, but in 6 hours we only covered 22 miles.........22 MILES!!! We would arrive sometime next spring at that rate.
Yet the sea state was not calm. We were like a cork pitched back and forth to and fro. I've heard it likened to crawling into a washing machine. Pretty accurate really.
We both took naps, and then Justin tried to replace the thermostat on the motor. Being in a confined space while focusing on a task while being tossed about is the perfect recipe for sea sickness and nausea. He went up top to get some air while I did the thermostat. He started the motor for me to check for any leaks and we decided to just motor.......I'd like to say motor sail but that would be just a bald faced lie! During this trip I have remained quite bald on the top but my face has taken on more of a grizzly Adams appearance.
 We were gonna motor for an hour. About 30 minutes into our "travels" Justin spotted a tide rip, a long line of debris brought together by the currents filled with all sorts of garbage. Nets, plastic floats, bottles..........hmmmm.......My friend Ronnie loaned us a "pea shooter" to defend us against pirates and mal-contents of the high seas. All that crap in the water sure did look like target to me!
I loaded 3 clips with 50 rounds and handed it off to Justin. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!! Ah what a hoot! I kept a sharp eye out for nets and ropes (to stay the heck away from) and Justin had a hay day blasting floats and sending them to a watery grave with nothing but a trail of bubbles to mark that it ever was there. And ya know what? He felt a lot better after that. No sooner did we get everything put away.......the wind picked up too!! WOO HOO!
Both Main and Jib are full up and our speed is again in the 7's rather than 1 to 2 mph. (we should have started shootin stuff at 5am)
  I hear that Dad is doing OK (better than that really) and I am sure that Jenni is keeping everyone up to date.

Comments [1]

Capt John (via ocens email)
06/14/2012

Justin and I are doing good, but I spent the night in the cockpit babysitting Oscar Couldn't sleep anyway thinking about you and dad.
Only making about 4 knots, very frustrating. Glad dad's safe and sound!


(more from John)
Well........with three men on a small boat out in the seaway of the Pacific ocean.........with a head (toilet) that would make most RV's look like a 5 star room can you just imagine going in there barefoot???EEEEEEUUUUUUWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
 This wasn't in the brochure!~~~ the Captain on head duty? sigh....it must be done. I'm not quite sure if it has EVER been done. But I do have a desire to be clean meself, and there is hot water and a drain in the floor, so out with the pinesol and brushes AAAARRRRR. (i now know why they alway say that)
I can't really say it is safe to eat off of but it is most defiantly good to go for bathing.
 I was awoke to the smell of pancakes this morning that Justin had made. He had not been feeling well the last couple of day we think because of too much sun. Now feeling much much better with a lot of rest and fluids. Upon stepping out in the cockpit I was welcomed by a bull blown rainbow! Hows about that for a promise from God?!
 We have less than 1000 miles to go. There is a storm coming our way and Justin and I welcome it! Bring on the winds. We'll reef the main set the staysail and haul ass to Honolulu! We do appreciate all of your good wishes and prayers.

Comments [2]

Jenni
06/14/2012, (from Honolulu)

What anoverwhelming day, full of the kindness of strangers! The generosity and hospitality of so many people has brought me to tears...

As did driving into to Horizon Terminal and the magnitude of the SHEER SIZE of the 'boat' that the Gallivant cozied up to... literally made me cry.

So I'm sitting in the shipping offices of Horizon Lines waiting for the Reliance to make port, and the many workmen in and out of the offices pop in and tell me to look out in the harbor! The Reliance is here. We'll wait for the medical transfer (ambulance) and the fire department (who will help Dad exit from the giant ship), and then, we'll see where things take us.

And the Reliance/Gallivant liason at sea made the local news! http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/18777591/ship-saves-elderly-sailor-1000-miles-from-hawaii

I anticipate the camera crew will be here to greet Dad and the wonderful crew as well. More to come tomorrow... oh wait, it IS tomorrow...

Comments [2]