A couple of important milestones have been reached. We're back within US territorial waters, or at least the "exclusive economic zone" that reaches 200 miles out. We're in the coverage area of the "California offshore forecast" released by the Weather Service. We're probably, for the safety-conscious, also within helicopter range of Coast Guard Alameda. But more importantly, it just *feels* like home. The temperature has dropped and the wind is 20 knots out of the north. There's about a 8-10 foot sea running, a mix of swell and wind-wave. In a nutshell, this is what it feels like most days when you clear Point Bonita. The boat is running fast on a close reach, and we should have no trouble getting into Drake's Bay sometime Wednesday evening. Then it will really feel like home.

The anticipation of returning to ordinary life leads to mixed feelings, which I, for one have not sorted out at all. I don't know what it will feel like going back to our land routine after this trip. It will certainly take some adjustment. I have a feeling that we will pine for the sea rather badly for a while, but time will tell. If we do, Aquila will be ready for us there in the Bay.