Wind Child is home completing the final leg from Hawaii to Port Angeles in style with proud skipper Rudy at the helm. Due to a fouled prop with fishing line and lack of wind Wind Child was dead in the water a beam Neah Bay WA August 20 Friday night. Saturday morning skipper Rudy was up at day break with a plan to cut the fishing line. He only had swimming trunks to protect him from the fridgid northwest waters. He dove in and was able to cut the fishing line and free the prop to enable the crew to start the engine and head for home-- Port Angeles-- where Wind Child will go on the hard for a couple of weeks of annual maintenance before returning to its home in Sequim.

We motor sailed for the first 49 nautical miles east in the Straits of Juan du Fuca with light wind toward Port Angeles. At approximately 1430 hours 2:30pm, the wind piped up to 15 knots. Rudy ordered the Spinnaker to be deployed and the Jib to be furled. Soon the wind was blowing 18 knots and Rudy took the helm. Wind Child came a live under the skillful hands of its skipper. Wind Child's speed over ground increased to 10 and 11 knots. This included a favorable tidal current that was pushing us about 2 knots towards our destination and the planned party at Sequim Bay Yacht Club at 1800 hours (6pm). For the last 10 nautical miles we averaged over 10 knots per hour under clear blue skies.

We arrived at 1615 into Port Angeles harbor to be greeted by Rudy's first mate Jean (Commodore of SBYC) and and a group of enthusiastic supporters. We arrived in time for the welcome home party sponsored by Jean, with supporting help from crew members first mates Judy Spencer and Linda Senft. Followers of Rudy's Odyssey brought treats for the Pot Luck and their hearty congratulations for a successful adventure completed.

+Congratulations Rudy and thanks for the memories.