Homeward Bound (… and I can get used to this)

Ok,Ok… I know I still need to get to writing the post race skipper’s wrap-up for the 2010 Pacific Cup… but it was a busy week. First off, there were all the great post race events in a wonderful tropical setting… a big distraction from the necessary projects of getting the boat cleaned up, and then ready for the return trip… yep, there is more sailing yet to be done!

On Monday, five students for our annual offshore cruise from Hawaii to San Francisco left Kaneohe a touch after first light. The going has been mild, but more or less as expected: we have bent tight reaching north and eastward, heading toward the Pacific High. It was a bit lumpy when we left the islands, but has really calmed down… almost too much so! Right now we have only about 8 to 9 knots breeze, but I am happy that we are in a good quick boat… we are clipping right along at 7 knots.

So this cruising thing… let me tell you, I can get used to this! Say goodbye to the freeze dried meals: dinner this evening was smoked ahi, with shitake mushrooms, filed tomatoes, red onion, and smoked ahi over pasta,with an apple/avocado salsa garnish. Seriously. Served in the cockpit right at sunset. And we were Still sitting around rubbing our bellies when this eerie glow on the horizon grabbed our attention… and we had the ensuing Moonrise Over The Pacific for desert. That racing stuff might be over-rated! but then we still have some 1800 miles to go, and we aren’t hooking up any spinnakers in the foreseeable future…

Anyway, just wanted to let you all know that we are still out here, with the Hula Girl bringing us home. We’ll keep you all posted (it’s also a bit of a interesting year for the return, as the Pacific High isn’t doing what the Pacific High normally does). Our Spot tracker page is: http://tinyurl.com/hulagirl, but I’m not 100% sure it’s working out here. For anyone keeping score at home, right now (about 0300 Pacific Time the morning of August 28) we are at 24 49 N by 155 36 W, heading of 030M at about 7 knots.

Cheers all, have a nice slumber and we’ll catch you in the morn…

Wayne Zittel and the Hula Girl crew.