Written 8/19/19, 12 pm

We’ve been motoring down the coast all day and night in light winds and fairly calm seas. The swells are gentle and far apart with very little wind chop. Current has been favorable most of the time and we’re making a good 6knots, often more! Due to the often rough and dangerous conditions along this coast and the entrance to the Columbia River, this stretch is often referred to as the Graveyard of the Pacific. Thankfully, our experience has been very different, and we are happy to have it behind us.

We switched to the second fuel tank sometime in the middle of the night and the plan is to stop in Newport, Oregon to refuel and check the forecast. The big decision will be whether to try to get ahead of some less than favorable weather and push for Cape Mendocino and southward, or wait for better weather and get familiar with the Rogue Brewery in Newport!

Animal update: In addition to yesterday's orcas, we were buzzed by some active Dall’s porpoise just before sunset last night, and then by some dolphins this morning. We’ve seen sunfish (mola mola), pelicans and a few humpback spouts on the horizon, as well as lots of seabirds.

Since the last blog post we’ve also reached the very important milestone of getting south of our original starting point in Puget Sound â€�" the big U-turn is over and now every mile is a mile south to new latitudes! Hooray!

-Kristin, crew on Leg 1

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