Day #28, Tuesday, June 23, 2010
Time of Report: 2200 Z
Position: 42.37, -67.17
Heading: Southwest
Speed: Not reported
BT called me today, just after 5pm EST in a bit of a panic. Despite the 6 hours Comcast (our trusty cable company here in Marietta, GA) spent at his house yesterday, his internet was out and he needed to get the weather report for Woody. BT takes this job very seriously and for the first couple of weeks, he waited by the phone each day for Woody's call at 5:00pm. We all move in different rhythms and consistency in call times from Woody has not been a reality. This should have come as no shock, as Woody has never been known in our family for his timeliness, in fact, BT has trademarked "Norwood time" - but not just because of Woody, a couple of others in the family have similar traits (and I'm not namin' names). Low and behold, wouldn't you know it, today, he did call at exactly 5pm, and this was probably the first time BT wasn't ready with the report. Damn internet! Luckily I only live approximately 1 nautical mile (which is 1.15 statute miles) from the BTs so he was here within minutes to check the weather and prepare his report for Woody.
The weather was rough today, with lots of rain and winds between 25 - 30 knots. The fog has been very thick as well. The thought of cold rain, combined with strong wind and fog makes me shiver. Woody was getting a little concerned about the possibility of hypothermia, but was able to get in the cabin, change into some dry clothes and warm up a bit. Hydration and food consumption is important too. He also started increasing his movement around the boat, keeping himself more active moving which increased his body temperature, and made him start feeling better.
By this evening the winds had settled to 15 - 20 knots but had shifted to the West, Southwest, which means it's right on the nose (he's heading right into it). This will slow him down in reaching his destination. At the time of the report, he was 134 nm from the outside buoy at Cape Cod, and his ETA into Provincetown is now Friday afternoon.
No report on what he had for dinner. I'm picking BT up tomorrow (Thurs) to drive him to the Atlanta airport for his flight to MA to catch up with Woody, and I think I'll slip a little care package into his duffel bag. Will a can of chicken noodle soup make it through airport security? I'm guessing not, but I bet a can of SPAM will!
In honor of this part of Woody's voyage, being that it is solo (even though it wasn't originally planned to be), I'll close with this quote, by author Jules Verne:
"The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides."
Peace ~ Tracy
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Michelin Man Look-alike headed towards Provincetown
Day #27, Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Time of Report: 2100 Z
Position: 43.13, -65.37
Heading: Down the coast of Nova Scotia
Speed: Slow, winds are light and motor is on
Woody reported in to both weather reporter, BT and the communications/blogger team around 5pm EST Tuesday and informed us that he had traveled roughly 90 miles from his time of departure which was on Monday and was just passing the tip of Nova Scotia. He had accomplished this with the sails up but due to a lack of wind, he had been motoring most of the time. He had about 250 nm left to go to Provincetown which is his next destination and he expects to be there on Thursday. Weather reporter BT (who is Woody's brother-in-law and my father) will be arriving in Provincetown, MA on Thursday evening to sail the next leg.
I asked Woody how it was being solo on this leg and he said "well, it takes a lot longer to do things!". He spoke of the division of labor he and JD had mastered and he also mentioned that is is being more conservative (whew!). The winds were expecting to build through the night, so Woody planned to do a sail change before the sun set to a smaller sail. This way, when he has it on auto-pilot, and sleeping in the cockpit, the boat won't be as overpowered. Woody described looking like the Michelin Man, as he is wrapped up in as many clothes as he can fit on his body.
He said staying warm is a big challenge. The temperature is in the low 50s to high 40s during the day and drops into the 30s during the night. Brrr!
Without JD on board to cook, dinner consisted of a couple of packs of M&Ms, crackers, sardines, an apple, plum and potato chips. We'll see how he does when BT comes aboard with the dinners!
All and all, Woody seemed to be in good spirits but sounded tired. A good rest once he gets into Provincetown will be in order!
More Soon ~ Tracy ;)
Time of Report: 2100 Z
Position: 43.13, -65.37
Heading: Down the coast of Nova Scotia
Speed: Slow, winds are light and motor is on
Woody reported in to both weather reporter, BT and the communications/blogger team around 5pm EST Tuesday and informed us that he had traveled roughly 90 miles from his time of departure which was on Monday and was just passing the tip of Nova Scotia. He had accomplished this with the sails up but due to a lack of wind, he had been motoring most of the time. He had about 250 nm left to go to Provincetown which is his next destination and he expects to be there on Thursday. Weather reporter BT (who is Woody's brother-in-law and my father) will be arriving in Provincetown, MA on Thursday evening to sail the next leg.
I asked Woody how it was being solo on this leg and he said "well, it takes a lot longer to do things!". He spoke of the division of labor he and JD had mastered and he also mentioned that is is being more conservative (whew!). The winds were expecting to build through the night, so Woody planned to do a sail change before the sun set to a smaller sail. This way, when he has it on auto-pilot, and sleeping in the cockpit, the boat won't be as overpowered. Woody described looking like the Michelin Man, as he is wrapped up in as many clothes as he can fit on his body.
He said staying warm is a big challenge. The temperature is in the low 50s to high 40s during the day and drops into the 30s during the night. Brrr!Without JD on board to cook, dinner consisted of a couple of packs of M&Ms, crackers, sardines, an apple, plum and potato chips. We'll see how he does when BT comes aboard with the dinners!
All and all, Woody seemed to be in good spirits but sounded tired. A good rest once he gets into Provincetown will be in order!
More Soon ~ Tracy ;)
Monday, June 21, 2010
Ready to sail solo NS to Provincetown
I have a weather window to sail from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia to Provincetown, MA at the tip of Cape Cod. I'll do this solo and hope to arrive by Thursday night.
My hosts here in NS, Bill and Kerstin Gilkerson, have been wonderfully generous in thir support and sharing their time.
I had the misfortune of leaving my wallet at the marina office in Nantucket when paying for fuel. They have sent it FedEx and I hope it arrives today as I will leave as soon as I can settle accounts at the marina in Lunengurg and buy provisions.
My brother-in-law, Bill Tumlin, plans to meet me in Provincetown to sail from there to Newport.
Woody
My hosts here in NS, Bill and Kerstin Gilkerson, have been wonderfully generous in thir support and sharing their time.
I had the misfortune of leaving my wallet at the marina office in Nantucket when paying for fuel. They have sent it FedEx and I hope it arrives today as I will leave as soon as I can settle accounts at the marina in Lunengurg and buy provisions.
My brother-in-law, Bill Tumlin, plans to meet me in Provincetown to sail from there to Newport.
Woody
Friday, June 18, 2010
Plan Update
By skipping Portland and going straight to either Cape Ann (Gloucester) where I have friends, or to the Cape Cod Canal, we could get back on schedule. We might be able to depart Nova Scotia as early as Tuesday. It is about 364 nm to the Cape Cod Canal by way of Provincetown, 4 days's sailing with a decent wind direction. With an overnight stop to rest and recover, the remaining passage to Newport should be a full day (24+ hours) from Cape Ann or less from the CC Canal. Going through the Canal requires proper timing with the tides. The Canal itself is abour 8 miles long and it empties into Buzzard's Bay. Even with a departure from NS as late as this Wednesday we could be in Newport on Tuesday, June 29.
A day of R&R in Newport, departing June 30, we could reach Centerport July 3. Then we would be set for a July 7 passage from Larchmont down the East River by Manhattan, over to Sanday Hook and be back on schedule.
Please keep fingers crossed for favorable winds Tuesday through Friday for the passage across the Gulf of Maine.
Woody
Martins River NS
A day of R&R in Newport, departing June 30, we could reach Centerport July 3. Then we would be set for a July 7 passage from Larchmont down the East River by Manhattan, over to Sanday Hook and be back on schedule.
Please keep fingers crossed for favorable winds Tuesday through Friday for the passage across the Gulf of Maine.
Woody
Martins River NS
Thursday, June 17, 2010
"Stuck" in Nova Scotia
The wind from the west and southwet will make a departure from Nova Scotia impossible until Wednesday or Thursday. It is a 3-day passage across the Gulf of Maine from here in Mahone Bay with decent wind fronm anywhere other than the West or Southwest. Normally the prevailing summer wind is from the south. The jet stream, however is farther north than usual, blowing constantly from the direction we want to go.
Bill Hickman did not check emails this morning before heading by bus to Logan airport in Boston. He did not think to turn on his cell phone all day to get our numerous attempts at reaching him. He flew from Boston to Halifax with never turning on his cell phone. After waiting in Halifax for his link with Alice, my wife, who was to be his ride down from Halifax to Mahone Bay, he finally turned on his cell phone not to check messages but to call his wife, Joyce. We had been hoping all day that he might check in with Joyce, and Joyce, who also had been trying to reach Bill all day, knew the situation and then Bill called me in Mahone Bay. I had to tell him to get the next flight back to Logan as there would be no sense coming to Mahone Bay to wait for a week for good weather. When the weather clears I'll get a local here to sail with me to Portland and I'll pay for his return flight. I also will be paying for Bill's return flight.
There are few place I would rather be "stuck" in than Nova Scotia. This is a fabulous place. Everyone is friendly. Everyone knows everyone. They are cheerful and generous. The town of Lunenburg is informal and just a bit touristy. My friends Bill and Kerstin Gilkerson are warm, hospitable, and have offerred their guest house to me for the duration. Meantime, with Kerstin's help, I have gotten agreement with a local electrical rigger to come work on Jubilee Saturday so I have left her in Lunenburg. I plan to sail her over to Mahone Bay Sunday.
Time to relax some. The major part of the passage is done. I view making it to Nova Scotia was a major goal accomplished.
This does, however, change everything regarding the return to Beaufort. The wait until next Wednesday or Thursday means my plan for Portland to Newport is postponed, and Newport to Centerport cannot be completed before July 4. So I figure to have lost my crew partners on these legs. Also probably New York to Annapolis. Loss of my crew partners means a re-assessment of the whole return trip program. I'll be figuring this all out in the coming days.
Woody
Mahone Bay, NS
Bill Hickman did not check emails this morning before heading by bus to Logan airport in Boston. He did not think to turn on his cell phone all day to get our numerous attempts at reaching him. He flew from Boston to Halifax with never turning on his cell phone. After waiting in Halifax for his link with Alice, my wife, who was to be his ride down from Halifax to Mahone Bay, he finally turned on his cell phone not to check messages but to call his wife, Joyce. We had been hoping all day that he might check in with Joyce, and Joyce, who also had been trying to reach Bill all day, knew the situation and then Bill called me in Mahone Bay. I had to tell him to get the next flight back to Logan as there would be no sense coming to Mahone Bay to wait for a week for good weather. When the weather clears I'll get a local here to sail with me to Portland and I'll pay for his return flight. I also will be paying for Bill's return flight.
There are few place I would rather be "stuck" in than Nova Scotia. This is a fabulous place. Everyone is friendly. Everyone knows everyone. They are cheerful and generous. The town of Lunenburg is informal and just a bit touristy. My friends Bill and Kerstin Gilkerson are warm, hospitable, and have offerred their guest house to me for the duration. Meantime, with Kerstin's help, I have gotten agreement with a local electrical rigger to come work on Jubilee Saturday so I have left her in Lunenburg. I plan to sail her over to Mahone Bay Sunday.
Time to relax some. The major part of the passage is done. I view making it to Nova Scotia was a major goal accomplished.
This does, however, change everything regarding the return to Beaufort. The wait until next Wednesday or Thursday means my plan for Portland to Newport is postponed, and Newport to Centerport cannot be completed before July 4. So I figure to have lost my crew partners on these legs. Also probably New York to Annapolis. Loss of my crew partners means a re-assessment of the whole return trip program. I'll be figuring this all out in the coming days.
Woody
Mahone Bay, NS
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Looking for a Weather Window
The 4 days from Nantucket were varied. The first two days were over 100 nm each,with10-20 kts wind from the south west. Then it turned light Monday, and on the nose so we motor-sailed very closed hauled going 4 miles off course alternating starboard and port. Tuesday the wind developed from the northwest and grew steadily to 25-30 kts with gusts to 35. In this range the tops of the waves were being blown off. We reefed once and then twice on the main, and then we reefed the jib. Still, on a port tack reach we were burying the lee shear and occasionally taking on water into the cockpit to leeward. We struck the jib and put up the storm jib, just a hankie of a sail but enough for good balance and to boost the speed in the slot between the jib and the main. Jubilee drove hard in this weather uncomplaining, but in the short period waves it was actually dangerous to be below. Our little Flicka was tossed about by these waves, with sudden major moves side to side. JD and I both experienced being thrown across the cabin banging our heads on the far side. The wind and wave action subsided somewhat around 8 PM Tuesday. We hugged the southern coast of Nova Scotia and arrived at Lunenburg harbor at 4:30 AM just as the sun was coming up.
We tied up at a randomly-selected wharf and went to bed, JD on the cabin sole and me in the cockpit. We slep peacefully until 10 AM when we were told we would have to move. Weotored over to the Marina and called for customs clearance. Most of the information was communicated by phone but an inspection was ordered and set for 1:30, but we would have to move to Government Wharf, which we did. While we awaited the customs officials (who arrived at 2:15) the end of the dock caught fire and I called the fire department. The fire was quickly extinguished....it had nothing to do with our presence.
After a lunch of local mussels and beer we went in search of a B&B. Booking a room with 2 bedsfor $109, we then returned to the boat and took her back to the Marina dock for the night. It is sunny and warm, and we had been drying out the interior of Jubilee, our clothes, the sleeping bag, etc. We walked back to the B&B with our overnight stuff, and JD went off to the laundromat with our soiled clothes while I started to plan our next leg of sailing: destination Portland, ME.
The weather outlook is not favorable. We will not attempt a crossing of the Gulf of Maine on an easterly or southeasterly wind. It looks like this is what we will have until June 22. Big winds on the nose are just not where Jubilee performs. In short period waves we just sit there and habby-horse, barely making headway. It is just not fun. So, I am advising my sailing partner for this leg to postpone his arrival here until we see a window. Bill Hickman has reservations for a flight tomorrow into Halifax.
Such is the nature of a sailing adventure in a small boat. It is almost impossibe to schedule with any degree of certainty. This may also push back other commitments, from Portland to Newport and Newport to Centerport, New York City, and down to Annapolis. Stay tuned.
Woody
We tied up at a randomly-selected wharf and went to bed, JD on the cabin sole and me in the cockpit. We slep peacefully until 10 AM when we were told we would have to move. Weotored over to the Marina and called for customs clearance. Most of the information was communicated by phone but an inspection was ordered and set for 1:30, but we would have to move to Government Wharf, which we did. While we awaited the customs officials (who arrived at 2:15) the end of the dock caught fire and I called the fire department. The fire was quickly extinguished....it had nothing to do with our presence.
After a lunch of local mussels and beer we went in search of a B&B. Booking a room with 2 bedsfor $109, we then returned to the boat and took her back to the Marina dock for the night. It is sunny and warm, and we had been drying out the interior of Jubilee, our clothes, the sleeping bag, etc. We walked back to the B&B with our overnight stuff, and JD went off to the laundromat with our soiled clothes while I started to plan our next leg of sailing: destination Portland, ME.
The weather outlook is not favorable. We will not attempt a crossing of the Gulf of Maine on an easterly or southeasterly wind. It looks like this is what we will have until June 22. Big winds on the nose are just not where Jubilee performs. In short period waves we just sit there and habby-horse, barely making headway. It is just not fun. So, I am advising my sailing partner for this leg to postpone his arrival here until we see a window. Bill Hickman has reservations for a flight tomorrow into Halifax.
Such is the nature of a sailing adventure in a small boat. It is almost impossibe to schedule with any degree of certainty. This may also push back other commitments, from Portland to Newport and Newport to Centerport, New York City, and down to Annapolis. Stay tuned.
Woody
Arrived in Nova Scotia & Cleared Customs
Day #22, Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Time of Report: 1930 Z
Position: 44.38, -64.31
Heading: at Port in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Speed: moving rapidly by foot to a hot lunch and then hotel for some much needed rest!
Woody & JD have arrived on solid ground, in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia which is where the red circle is towards the bottom on the map!! They arrived around 830 Z this morning but did not clear customs until 1600 Z - a long wait. Reports over the last couple of days have been minimal and through Bill Tumlin (BT), the weather reporter. All I know is they put on some miles and had times where there was little to no wind and they were motoring to times where they were in winds of up to 35 miles per hour. I believe at one point they were "Heaving To" - for those non-nautical folks, "Heaving To" (also heave to) is a way of slowing a sail boat's forward progress, fixing the helm and foresail position so that the boat doesn't have to be actively steered, thereby allowing the crew to attend other tasks. It is commonly used for a "break" while waiting out a storm, or by the solo sailor as a way to provide time to go below deck or attend to issues elsewhere on the boat (including taking a lunch break) - thanks to Wikipedia for the explanation.
BT said the guys were headed to grab a hot meal and then to a hotel for some much needed rest. We'll look forward to an update from Woody & JD once they've had time to regroup. According to the plan, I believe tomorrow they will set sail for the Martin's River to Mahone Bay (circled in red at the top of the map) which is about 20 nm from Lunenberg, I believe. Woody will spend several days with his lovely wife, Alice and great friends, the Gilkerson's (see the last blog post for information about these interesting folks) and start shopping for a vacation home while there. I believe JD will head on to do some exploring around this gorgeous area by foot and then head south?
Woody & JD's sailing time together is coming to a close and I absolutely can not wait to hear their recount of the trip in person at the "Home Coming Party" which we'll start planning for some time in August. And on that note, I'll end with the following quote:
“There are those who pass like ships in the night, who meet for a moment, then sail out of sight with never a backward glance of regret; folks we know briefly then quickly forget. Then there are friends who sail together, through quiet waters and stormy weather, helping each other though joy and through strife. And they are the kind who give meaning to life.” ~ Author Unknown
Tracy ;)
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