Pacific Odyssey - Leg 1

We woke up to a very warm morning.  After breakfast we immediately put up the two tarps that provide shade; it made a wonderful difference along with the breeze that was blowing across the boat. The tarps fit over the two gaff booms and are lashed down to the shrouds and stanchions so that they spread out towards the sides of the ship.  Many of the crew and trainees went swimming off the boat while the dishes were being done and the dories were lowered into the water.  We tend to stay in the shade and play in the water in an attempt to stay cool in this temperature.  We can´t imagine what it will be like at the equator.  We try not to complain about the heat, especially after hearing of the very un-springlike weather you are having, and we much prefer this to the cold weather of the beginning of the leg.  The trick we realize is to try not to get too hot as the biggest complaint is that it drains us of energy.  Today was an in-town day for most of us.  Some of the crew stayed behind in the morning with several jobs to do, but in the afternoon everyone except Jordan, had a chance to visit Lahaina again.  Jordan worked on the boat and ran the zodiac to pick up Katie with groceries, and to shuttle crew and trainees from the land to the boat at pick-up time.  Activities ashore included visiting a second-hand book store, doing internet, visiting the Whaling Station and beautiful beaches of Kanapali, shopping at ´an amazing dress shop,´  finding the tool needed to help  with greasing the props (shopping for the boat often creates interesting and memorable interactions with the local people), watching "Oceans Thirteen," eating ice cream and shopping for ´stash.   This morning those of us who stayed behind on the ship noticed a huge billow of smoke coming from the southwest side of Maui.  By the time we returned from town, the entire sky was smoky and the fire was moving towards Lahaina.  We could see orange flames moving up the slopes of the valleys and we heard that roads were being closed, possibly even the airport.  At the moment Karen is on watch and they can see the helicopters monitoring the fire.  It really looks awful; the land is so dry.  On Hawaii, we heard that they were in ´drought´ conditions and we needed to be mindful of our water consumption.  Everyone returned to the boat by 1730.  The wind was starting to pick up and our rides back to the Grace were wet; Liz and Simon were great ´sports´ about sitting in the bow on the first trip back, getting completely sprayed by water over the bow.  Simon was mostly concerned about his ´nerds´ (candy) getting wet, and we were all able to laugh and enjoy our ride, even Simon.  I find that the trainees are very good with the younger kids.  Trainees are quite patient and I try to monitor when someone has had enough or is no longer enjoying it.  I´m trying to teach the kids to sense when they need to move on, leave someone alone, and to recognize a trainee or crew having ´down time.´  It doesn´t always work, but in general I think the trainees are enjoying them as I know the kids enjoy the trainees.  They play with them quite a bit and tolerate their childish (as they are meant to behave) behaviour.  I´m sure some of the trainees are not normally around kids this much, but I feel very lucky to have the trainees here interacting with my kids.  So, we returned to the ship damp; not cold, just wet, refreshing really.  There was personal stuff all over the decks and we all buckled down to find a spot for everything.  There were tanks, scuba gear, snorkel gear, wet clothing, wet towels, personal shopping items, knapsacks, shampoo bottles, tools, rope, etc.  By 1815 I think most things had found a home and we raised anchor and ate supper.  Initially we were in the lee of the island but soon enough the wind picked up considerably.  Supper blew off our plates as we came out of the companionway onto the deck and water sprayed over the entire ship.  We quickly closed all the portholes and skylights.  We raised the trysail, the foresail and the jumbo and are now clipping along at a pretty good speed.  Skipper is somewhat concerned about our return trip from Kauai if the wind continues to blow.  Weather reports say it is supposed to settle somewhat, but one never knows completely, and the seas could still be messy.   The moon is incredibly beautiful and there are a handful of trainees chatting together around the helmsman and Karen, who is on watch.  It will probably take us close to 30 hours to get to Nawiliwili Harbour on Kauai.  ETA is early Friday morning, June 29th, Rebecca´s 18th birthday.  Miriam was interviewed by CBC early this morning (0530 our time, I think) and it should have aired already in Calgary.  They have asked her to visit them when she returns.  The ship is sailing along beautifully, we are broad to beam reaching on a starboard tack.  The motion is very comfortable; healed over but surging ahead strongly, rolling only slightly.  We should sleep well tonight, except for those who have sunburns.  This is it until tomorrow, good night, Bonice.