If you are reading this post, it was from our first voyage to the South Pacific in 2000. Sheryl included it in case you were curious about our last voyage. It covers departure to arrival in French Polynesia.
I have deciphered the first few days of communications from S/V Sunrise and am forwarding them along. Forgive any mistakes as the messages come in code and I try to get them done quickly.
Sat, 22 Apr 2000 07:49:07 GMT
I’m going to bed and turning this thing off. At rate we're going, we'll get there day after tomorrow! Past San Nickolaus wind rose to 25-30knots. Any ways, we're wailing now. Feeling good, good fast boat. We're only here because of your help-many thanks, much love. Jeff, I ate 1 flakystick for dinner, they are perfect. Stratos (satellite company) is supposed to tell you every 15 minutes but I think they’re mixed up.
Sat, 22 Apr 2000 19:59:55 GMT
Are you getting positions? Wind & seas calmed. We are going 6-7 knots. Just clouds & rolling seas except yesterday I saw sailboat going toHawaii
Sun, 23 Apr 2000 14:27:19 GMT
Where are you? I'm waiting to hear from you. Excellent here. Steady 15-20knot winds, easy seas, easy sailing and we are still jamming! From what I learned of LaNina, this was to be expected but still amazes me. We are both happy - just sailing along.
Sun, 23 Apr 2000 21:03:51 GMT
When you get this message from me, write right back if you can so I can tell how long it takes & if its working. Night sailing is easy- I sleep 8p-12, sail 12-4am, sleep4-8am. Because it is so cold, windy & the sky is covered with clouds, we stay inside &check radar every 10 minutes instead of being in the cockpit. Today we saw wood pallet no birds, no ships nothing. Today sunny warmer, (we’ve been freezing) & very beautiful, ocean gorgeous & dad says its all ors. No one out here!
Sun, 23 Apr 2000 23:11:42GMT
No fishing yet, busy sleeping, eating a little & keeping contraptions steering this speeding boat! I sre do appreciate all dads clever ideas & dodads now that we need them. Thanks for your prompt reply. I'd guess it takes 1 hour to send and receive messages. Pretty fast!
Sun, 23 Apr 2000 20:56:19 -0400
From Vince to SvSunrise
Do you want time in zulu or pdt? I’m very proud of my dad & all contraptions.
Mon, 24 Apr 2000 03:08:19GMT
Dad says we are waiting for warmer water for fishing We had hash & eggs, and cantalope for breakfast bananas, milk, cookies, grapes, cereal for lunch & canniloni & brocolli for dinner. This boat is going so fast I’m starting to look forward to the doldrums. What’s up?
Mon, 24 Apr 2000 08:12:22
-0700 (PDT)
From: Sheryl Timberlake
Last position report was 4-22 at6:49 gmt .
None since then. Did you see the Easter bunny? Love you
mummy & daddy bbfn (Bye Bye for now)
Mon, 24 Apr 2000 16:47:51 GMT
See if Vince is getting positions call, stratos to see what’s. Dad wants me in the cockpit.
Mon, 24 Apr 2000 23:44:25 GMT
What a beautiful day--sun, warmth, right amount of wind and mild seas. Dad set out spinnaker pole with beautiful leather protection thanks to Jeff. I took a bath in the cockpit-heavenly, washed hair. Cleaned up salty clothes from the previous not so lovely days. Dad rigged up all sorts of wonderful sail stuff. All systems working well. Boat is moving real easy today. If you want a place to get away from it all, we know just that spot on earth- there ain’t nothing here but 1 bird & 2 people on a beautiful fast boat.
Tue, 25 Apr 2000 10:17:31 -0500
From: "Vince Thompson"
Good morning. How’s beautiful Pacific? Weather looks clear and beautiful all around. I got chart and I am plotting your course. It’s fun.
Tue, 25 Apr 2000 16:54:37 GMT
Changing course to head south east for awhile. Today
is perfect wind, good & steady temperature, perfect
seas, currents & winds all pushing us to our
destination. All chores easy because seas are down.
Goinf to have hash & eggs & cantalope (Thanks Jeff)
yum.
Thu, 27 Apr 2000 08:20:22 GMT
We looked & looked for Easter bunny but there's just
the 1 kind of bird. No one, nada, not one ship since
1st day or 2. Boat sails like dream with main &
genoa.
Thu, 27 Apr 2000 15:13:55 GMT
100% cloud cover all night & now. temp:71f. Hard to
get excited
about jumping up every 10 minutes to look at radar
when NOTHING there for 5 days. Bird we see often is
blackfooted albatross.
xxxooooxx (learned from Vince)
Thu, 27 Apr 2000 17:36:56 GMT
Thanks for the news. We are about 700 miles from
Ventura.
Going East because it’s easier to steer! Autopilot,
named Will, doesn't like wind on rear end of boat.
Can’t hold the course. Same with windvane. Same with
us. If wind is right behind, boat wanders, rolls,
sails flog. Better to go South East South West etc.
Also winds change after equator & we’re setting up for
that. Amazing having our own little house & life out
here in the middle of no where.
Fri, 28 Apr 2000 08:20:05 GMT
Clovis is at 37 North , 118 West I'd guess. 1mile =
1minute of latitude, there are 60minutes in a degree.
So measure the distance with dividers (like in
geometry) & take the dividers over to the small marks
on the SIDE of the chart & count. Not bored here! Eat,
sleep, go to bathroom, taking bath, wash hair, wash
dishes, hands, cook, clean-all takes twice as long
becaouse have to keep balance and wait for boat to tip
back. To empty the sink, you have to open drain, wait
for water to slosh down drain then quickly close drain
before it gurgles up again. very challenging. After
bath room have to open drain, pump handle 11 times.
Read weather, check radar every 10 minutes, look at
rigging, sails, lines, wires 10 times a day. Draw on
chart where we are 5 times a day write it down lat
itude longitude, time, weather, clouds, temperature,
wind speed, barometric, & boat speed. Write where
you put things, open cupbroard to get dinner, cans
all fall out when boat tips, put all back in --all
falls out, both of us put in faster than boat can tip
out, slam door fast! throw trash over. wash & store
plastic (illegal to throw overboard) tear trash in
small piecs and open cans so they sink. To go on the
deck, put on foul weather gear (takes 10minutes), put
on harness/lifevest, clip on to boatwires. Takes
twice as long to walk on the deck of boat with great
care. Always!! havesomeone awake to watch for ships,
sleep 4 hours, watch 4 hours, sleep 4 hours. Hangout,
enjoy nature, try to figure out kind of birds. Read
books for all the doo-dads on the boat. Take photos.
Play with computer. some people listen to radio
communication but we have no time. After reading
weather we discuss the best direction to steer the
boat, where to cross the equator. Weather report
tells where doldrums are. Have to think ahead about
wind direction & how well boat sails that way. seeya,
I have to read about new digital camera & write in log
book.
Fri, 28 Apr 2000 10:24:23 GMT
Wind perfect 10 to 20 knots keeping us going fast.
First day winds 25 to 30 knots is barfy. no whales
just times we’ve seen albatrosses and two shearrwater
or petrel birds I think. Sleep very well, rocked to
sleep. Barry changes sail trim, lines more than Lynne.
Forgot to say we wash clothes a lot because we have
to keep salt water off. Dry clothes in engine
compartment racks that Barry made or hang inside. use
bug sprayer to take shower in cockpit. First time
Lynne left hatch open then she had to wash off salt
water for hours. Good strong boat = no problem if
hatches are closed!
Fri, 28 Apr 2000 11:35:29 -0500
From: "Vince Thompson
920a. Position reports are sent twice daily. You are
celebrities, everyone at my office asks every day
about you & all about boat &how you’re.XO
Sat, 29 Apr 2000 01:08:27 GMT
Are we there yet? At last, life! red footed booby,
petrel, squid & fish scales on bow. The booby thoought
about landing but Dad gave it the evil eye & it left.
Took bath, washed hair-brrrr. Dad’s preparing fishing
gear.
Sat, 29 Apr 2000 15:43:58 GMT
Still no one here except dead flying fish in the
cockpit first night. not one other human in a week!
still have to wear fleece. 75degrees f, but wind &
boat speed make it cold. Wind doing 100% of the work.
We use motor to make water in 1 hour in the afternoon.
Life's good.
Mon, 1 May 2000 21:12:19 GMT
Thanks for your sweet messages. Nice to have Wendi,
Bill and Evan & fun with your friends. nothing here
but flying fish & seabirds. Tell Jeff we wouldn't be
here if not for his help. finally hot! still perfect
wind, no rain could use some but no lightning!!! Love
mom and dad.
Tue, 2 May 2000 07:46:38 GMT
Dad thinks there are buoys out here where we are.
would be interesting. So far radar very boring. Been
looking every 10minutes & seen nothing for nine days.
thank Jeff for taking care of Ridgecrest chores.
Vince is doing good with the weather. all dads work
is paying off. can’t believe we are here so fast!
Wed, 3 May 2000 01:11:56 GMT
Lets say we get to Marqueses by May10, and then to
Rangiroa by June10--enough time before Jeff goes to
school? See what would work and let me know. Still
zinging. Think we found a way across that is easy
with good wind, no convection all the way. whoopee!
Dad is sleeping, I’m eating spahgetti in the
cockpit-cooler, more wind up there.
Wed, 3 May 2000 08:00:53 GMT
Tell Grandmom I caught Barry walking on the seats in
the cockpit with no harness on, leaning over trying to
wash windows with bug sprayer. I yelled at him good!
You idiot, I’ll have clean windows & no husbnd! Aside
from that, he's been a dream to sail with, pleasant,
careful, his usual competent self. I so appreciate all
the things he's made, installed to make life pleasant.
Tell Grampa to read webtv for email. Got to check
radar. luv you
Wed, 3 May 2000 15:16:07 GMT
Big squall at 3 am. Put computer in copper box to
protect it from lightning. I specifically said I
wanted nice rain to wash the boat--not big wind, no
lightning. But rain was not nice, got BIG wind, lots a
lightning. Just cloudy now 100% Speed over ground 5
knots. Trying to miss buoys that are at 125 west.
Anyways, safe & sound and still moving right along.
Wed, 3 May 2000 21:12:44 GMT
Your message came 15-20 minutes ago. Just got time to
read it. Putting up smaller sail. Ever thing AOK Dad
peed over the side & bird came to watch-very
funny! Birds come very close & I don’t need
binoculars. Good to know how fast Inmarsat works!
Thanks for prayers & tell Jeff thanks again! much
love mom and dad
Thu, 4 May 2000 23:04:35 GMT
Do not come here, way to hot. No wind. Today I saw a
plastic milk jug, first sign of "civilization" in 12
days. More petrels. Vince,do you have any satellites
showing wind? We need some. 92 degrees in the boat.
Dad laying in the only cool spot under where the
dinghy's on deck. Hatches open there & air's cool.
The motor is on all day and it makes bedroom hot.
Least we have yummy tuna toeat. Today I took a bath
with wood bucket full of many brushes & luffas.
Heavenly. I have been saving the bucket for this trip
about 3-4 years! I thought Noelle gave it to me, then
I thought Sheryl gave it to me, who gave it to
me…Amber…Monty &McKinley? I love it, thanks. Remember
Vince, where the wind???
Sat, 6 May 2000 01:37:17 -0400
From: Noelle Thompson
Doesn’t look like you are moving! No new wind to
report, no wind. Looks clear.
Sat, 6 May 2000 05:51:38 GMT
This has been quite a day. Well, yesterday it was
exiting too because we saw the milk jug but today has
seen most events. Starting at 3 am (o my children it
gives me pain to tell you this) I found your father in
bed with a FISH screaming & naked! He claims it came
thru window & attacked him. Anyway at 3 am I'm having
to change the sheets because they were all covered
with fish scales. Then usual petrels came to visit but
also a booby came with clear intentions to land on top
of the mast where wind instruments are. After
circling, he would SERiously eyeball mast head & I'd
scream at top of my lungs -BAD BOOBY! (Fortunately I'd
just read of this booby repelling technique in
Latitude 38 [sailing magazine) & it worked! He circled
2 or 3 times when yelled at, then left. Red footed
booby. Then, at 9 am or so, REally big bird came to
visit-orange with a 40 foot wingspan. Just joking it
was helicopter checking that we were OK. So it seems
we are in fishing place & helicopter part of the fish
boats. Many of them. Tonight I can see lights on to
with my naked eye. Change watch schedule, Lynne sleep
4am-noon, watch 8pm-4am. Barry sleep 8p-4a, watch
4a-noon. After helicopter, Lynne slept from 11am to
845pm! So can’t tell you about the rest of the day. We
are out of the doldroms I swear this time. 6 knots.
Tommorow, maybe we will cross the equator.
Sun, 7 May 2000 05:21:05 GMT
01.12 North 128.59 West. So you can see we are
heading more west now. First night I’ve seen the
moon. Clear night, and I can see the big dipper, orion
& his dog with bright eye milky way castor pollx &
rest that we learned. Really pretty day. Masked
booby came to visit. Tomorrow the Equator? I have
party supplies ready. Today, wind 5 knots South East.
Love Mom & Dad. PS, You are supposed to say that the
story about the fish in the bed was funny.
Sun, 7 May 2000 05:51:24 GMT
My chart goes to the Marquises, does yours? I’ll
order 3 by email for Vince, Sheryl and us, Sheryl will
bring to us. Wind 4 knots, boat speed 1.7 knots,
quiet peaceful easy to work slow.
Sun, 7 May 2000 02:41:44 -0400
From: Noelle Thompson
11:18pm. Wind the same. I read Vince your fish in bed
story and he laughed and laughed, very funny.
Sun, 7 May 2000 23:08:59 GMT
Happy Birthday dear Jeffery, Happy Birthday to you.
We had BIG celebration! But no ice cream & cake for
us. We celebrated at Lat00.00.00N 129W. Had things to
toot & wave & eat. Equator looks just as expected
-flat, hot. It took a long time to get over Mother
Earth’s big belly-took forever it seems. Now we are on
downhill side of Earth so should be easier. Much love
to all including Henry.
14 May 2000 02:03:48 GMT
Squally all day. I no longer ignore "those fuzzy areas
on the radar" or wonder, why is it lightning all
around us? Or why is it so cold all of a sudden or why
am I getting pelted by rain & nearly blown off face of
the earth. Now I know & take appropriate action. See?
I learn. Dad has several pages of things to order.
Will take several months for him to get it typed into
Inmarsat! Hanging out today going real slow so we can
get to anchorage in daylight.
From Noelle Thompson
8:00am. Happy Mothers Day. I love you soooooo much!
You are incredible, inspirational, beautiful,
brilliant, & a Mighty adventurous spirit! I imagine
your looking at islands now. What a wonderful
feeling! You did it! Yeehoo! We are celebrating you
today. Haven’t writing much because no weather to
tell-just blue following you around. Shasta is 32
pounds now. Lots of training on the land & water
retrieves and heels now. I am very busy at work
now:-( I cooked a honker goose for dinner last night
for friends—yummy! They said “look at that big
goose!” I felt good. I asked if they could help me
lift it onto the carving platter since it was so
heavy! Heehee. Noelle & I love you! Vince
5-14, 830am. 9.48S 138.49W. I awoke to a beautiful
sunrise, island & wonderful Mother's Day love from
Vince, Noelle & Shasta (dog).(Not that I haven't
emailed Happy Mother's Day I just get up later!) We
are here! Last night we hovered so we wouldn't get
here in the dark-that sucked! Just rolled around out
there going nowhere getting seasick-Jeff would love
it. I'm with him-moving sure makes a difference. Maybe
I will have tacquitos & oranges for breakfast. Freezer
is still cold after all these days.
I have deciphered the first few days of communications from S/V Sunrise and am forwarding them along. Forgive any mistakes as the messages come in code and I try to get them done quickly.
I’m going to bed and turning this thing off. At rate we're going, we'll get there day after tomorrow! Past San Nickolaus wind rose to 25-30knots. Any ways, we're wailing now. Feeling good, good fast boat. We're only here because of your help-many thanks, much love. Jeff, I ate 1 flakystick for dinner, they are perfect. Stratos (satellite company) is supposed to tell you every 15 minutes but I think they’re mixed up.
Are you getting positions? Wind & seas calmed. We are going 6-7 knots. Just clouds & rolling seas except yesterday I saw sailboat going to
Where are you? I'm waiting to hear from you. Excellent here. Steady 15-20knot winds, easy seas, easy sailing and we are still jamming! From what I learned of LaNina, this was to be expected but still amazes me. We are both happy - just sailing along.
When you get this message from me, write right back if you can so I can tell how long it takes & if its working. Night sailing is easy- I sleep 8p-12, sail 12-4am, sleep4-8am. Because it is so cold, windy & the sky is covered with clouds, we stay inside &check radar every 10 minutes instead of being in the cockpit. Today we saw wood pallet no birds, no ships nothing. Today sunny warmer, (we’ve been freezing) & very beautiful, ocean gorgeous & dad says its all ors. No one out here!
Sun, 23 Apr 2000 23:11:42
No fishing yet, busy sleeping, eating a little & keeping contraptions steering this speeding boat! I sre do appreciate all dads clever ideas & dodads now that we need them. Thanks for your prompt reply. I'd guess it takes 1 hour to send and receive messages. Pretty fast!
From Vince to SvSunrise
Do you want time in zulu or pdt? I’m very proud of my dad & all contraptions.
Mon, 24 Apr 2000 03:08:19
Dad says we are waiting for warmer water for fishing We had hash & eggs, and cantalope for breakfast bananas, milk, cookies, grapes, cereal for lunch & canniloni & brocolli for dinner. This boat is going so fast I’m starting to look forward to the doldrums. What’s up?
From: Sheryl Timberlake
Last position report was 4-22 at
See if Vince is getting positions call, stratos to see what’s. Dad wants me in the cockpit.
What a beautiful day--sun, warmth, right amount of wind and mild seas. Dad set out spinnaker pole with beautiful leather protection thanks to Jeff. I took a bath in the cockpit-heavenly, washed hair. Cleaned up salty clothes from the previous not so lovely days. Dad rigged up all sorts of wonderful sail stuff. All systems working well. Boat is moving real easy today. If you want a place to get away from it all, we know just that spot on earth- there ain’t nothing here but 1 bird & 2 people on a beautiful fast boat.
From: "Vince Thompson"
Good morning. How’s beautiful Pacific? Weather looks clear and beautiful all around. I got chart and I am plotting your course. It’s fun.
Tue, 25 Apr 2000 16:54:37 GMT
Changing course to head south east for awhile. Today
is perfect wind, good & steady temperature, perfect
seas, currents & winds all pushing us to our
destination. All chores easy because seas are down.
Goinf to have hash & eggs & cantalope (Thanks Jeff)
yum.
Thu, 27 Apr 2000 08:20:22 GMT
We looked & looked for Easter bunny but there's just
the 1 kind of bird. No one, nada, not one ship since
1st day or 2. Boat sails like dream with main &
genoa.
Thu, 27 Apr 2000 15:13:55 GMT
100% cloud cover all night & now. temp:71f. Hard to
get excited
about jumping up every 10 minutes to look at radar
when NOTHING there for 5 days. Bird we see often is
blackfooted albatross.
xxxooooxx (learned from Vince)
Thu, 27 Apr 2000 17:36:56 GMT
Thanks for the news. We are about 700 miles from
Ventura.
Going East because it’s easier to steer! Autopilot,
named Will, doesn't like wind on rear end of boat.
Can’t hold the course. Same with windvane. Same with
us. If wind is right behind, boat wanders, rolls,
sails flog. Better to go South East South West etc.
Also winds change after equator & we’re setting up for
that. Amazing having our own little house & life out
here in the middle of no where.
Fri, 28 Apr 2000 08:20:05 GMT
Clovis is at 37 North , 118 West I'd guess. 1mile =
1minute of latitude, there are 60minutes in a degree.
So measure the distance with dividers (like in
geometry) & take the dividers over to the small marks
on the SIDE of the chart & count. Not bored here! Eat,
sleep, go to bathroom, taking bath, wash hair, wash
dishes, hands, cook, clean-all takes twice as long
becaouse have to keep balance and wait for boat to tip
back. To empty the sink, you have to open drain, wait
for water to slosh down drain then quickly close drain
before it gurgles up again. very challenging. After
bath room have to open drain, pump handle 11 times.
Read weather, check radar every 10 minutes, look at
rigging, sails, lines, wires 10 times a day. Draw on
chart where we are 5 times a day write it down lat
itude longitude, time, weather, clouds, temperature,
wind speed, barometric, & boat speed. Write where
you put things, open cupbroard to get dinner, cans
all fall out when boat tips, put all back in --all
falls out, both of us put in faster than boat can tip
out, slam door fast! throw trash over. wash & store
plastic (illegal to throw overboard) tear trash in
small piecs and open cans so they sink. To go on the
deck, put on foul weather gear (takes 10minutes), put
on harness/lifevest, clip on to boatwires. Takes
twice as long to walk on the deck of boat with great
care. Always!! havesomeone awake to watch for ships,
sleep 4 hours, watch 4 hours, sleep 4 hours. Hangout,
enjoy nature, try to figure out kind of birds. Read
books for all the doo-dads on the boat. Take photos.
Play with computer. some people listen to radio
communication but we have no time. After reading
weather we discuss the best direction to steer the
boat, where to cross the equator. Weather report
tells where doldrums are. Have to think ahead about
wind direction & how well boat sails that way. seeya,
I have to read about new digital camera & write in log
book.
Fri, 28 Apr 2000 10:24:23 GMT
Wind perfect 10 to 20 knots keeping us going fast.
First day winds 25 to 30 knots is barfy. no whales
just times we’ve seen albatrosses and two shearrwater
or petrel birds I think. Sleep very well, rocked to
sleep. Barry changes sail trim, lines more than Lynne.
Forgot to say we wash clothes a lot because we have
to keep salt water off. Dry clothes in engine
compartment racks that Barry made or hang inside. use
bug sprayer to take shower in cockpit. First time
Lynne left hatch open then she had to wash off salt
water for hours. Good strong boat = no problem if
hatches are closed!
Fri, 28 Apr 2000 11:35:29 -0500
From: "Vince Thompson
920a. Position reports are sent twice daily. You are
celebrities, everyone at my office asks every day
about you & all about boat &how you’re.XO
Sat, 29 Apr 2000 01:08:27 GMT
Are we there yet? At last, life! red footed booby,
petrel, squid & fish scales on bow. The booby thoought
about landing but Dad gave it the evil eye & it left.
Took bath, washed hair-brrrr. Dad’s preparing fishing
gear.
Sat, 29 Apr 2000 15:43:58 GMT
Still no one here except dead flying fish in the
cockpit first night. not one other human in a week!
still have to wear fleece. 75degrees f, but wind &
boat speed make it cold. Wind doing 100% of the work.
We use motor to make water in 1 hour in the afternoon.
Life's good.
Mon, 1 May 2000 21:12:19 GMT
Thanks for your sweet messages. Nice to have Wendi,
Bill and Evan & fun with your friends. nothing here
but flying fish & seabirds. Tell Jeff we wouldn't be
here if not for his help. finally hot! still perfect
wind, no rain could use some but no lightning!!! Love
mom and dad.
Tue, 2 May 2000 07:46:38 GMT
Dad thinks there are buoys out here where we are.
would be interesting. So far radar very boring. Been
looking every 10minutes & seen nothing for nine days.
thank Jeff for taking care of Ridgecrest chores.
Vince is doing good with the weather. all dads work
is paying off. can’t believe we are here so fast!
Wed, 3 May 2000 01:11:56 GMT
Lets say we get to Marqueses by May10, and then to
Rangiroa by June10--enough time before Jeff goes to
school? See what would work and let me know. Still
zinging. Think we found a way across that is easy
with good wind, no convection all the way. whoopee!
Dad is sleeping, I’m eating spahgetti in the
cockpit-cooler, more wind up there.
Wed, 3 May 2000 08:00:53 GMT
Tell Grandmom I caught Barry walking on the seats in
the cockpit with no harness on, leaning over trying to
wash windows with bug sprayer. I yelled at him good!
You idiot, I’ll have clean windows & no husbnd! Aside
from that, he's been a dream to sail with, pleasant,
careful, his usual competent self. I so appreciate all
the things he's made, installed to make life pleasant.
Tell Grampa to read webtv for email. Got to check
radar. luv you
Wed, 3 May 2000 15:16:07 GMT
Big squall at 3 am. Put computer in copper box to
protect it from lightning. I specifically said I
wanted nice rain to wash the boat--not big wind, no
lightning. But rain was not nice, got BIG wind, lots a
lightning. Just cloudy now 100% Speed over ground 5
knots. Trying to miss buoys that are at 125 west.
Anyways, safe & sound and still moving right along.
Wed, 3 May 2000 21:12:44 GMT
Your message came 15-20 minutes ago. Just got time to
read it. Putting up smaller sail. Ever thing AOK Dad
peed over the side & bird came to watch-very
funny! Birds come very close & I don’t need
binoculars. Good to know how fast Inmarsat works!
Thanks for prayers & tell Jeff thanks again! much
love mom and dad
Thu, 4 May 2000 23:04:35 GMT
Do not come here, way to hot. No wind. Today I saw a
plastic milk jug, first sign of "civilization" in 12
days. More petrels. Vince,do you have any satellites
showing wind? We need some. 92 degrees in the boat.
Dad laying in the only cool spot under where the
dinghy's on deck. Hatches open there & air's cool.
The motor is on all day and it makes bedroom hot.
Least we have yummy tuna toeat. Today I took a bath
with wood bucket full of many brushes & luffas.
Heavenly. I have been saving the bucket for this trip
about 3-4 years! I thought Noelle gave it to me, then
I thought Sheryl gave it to me, who gave it to
me…Amber…Monty &McKinley? I love it, thanks. Remember
Vince, where the wind???
Sat, 6 May 2000 01:37:17 -0400
From: Noelle Thompson
Doesn’t look like you are moving! No new wind to
report, no wind. Looks clear.
Sat, 6 May 2000 05:51:38 GMT
This has been quite a day. Well, yesterday it was
exiting too because we saw the milk jug but today has
seen most events. Starting at 3 am (o my children it
gives me pain to tell you this) I found your father in
bed with a FISH screaming & naked! He claims it came
thru window & attacked him. Anyway at 3 am I'm having
to change the sheets because they were all covered
with fish scales. Then usual petrels came to visit but
also a booby came with clear intentions to land on top
of the mast where wind instruments are. After
circling, he would SERiously eyeball mast head & I'd
scream at top of my lungs -BAD BOOBY! (Fortunately I'd
just read of this booby repelling technique in
Latitude 38 [sailing magazine) & it worked! He circled
2 or 3 times when yelled at, then left. Red footed
booby. Then, at 9 am or so, REally big bird came to
visit-orange with a 40 foot wingspan. Just joking it
was helicopter checking that we were OK. So it seems
we are in fishing place & helicopter part of the fish
boats. Many of them. Tonight I can see lights on to
with my naked eye. Change watch schedule, Lynne sleep
4am-noon, watch 8pm-4am. Barry sleep 8p-4a, watch
4a-noon. After helicopter, Lynne slept from 11am to
845pm! So can’t tell you about the rest of the day. We
are out of the doldroms I swear this time. 6 knots.
Tommorow, maybe we will cross the equator.
Sun, 7 May 2000 05:21:05 GMT
01.12 North 128.59 West. So you can see we are
heading more west now. First night I’ve seen the
moon. Clear night, and I can see the big dipper, orion
& his dog with bright eye milky way castor pollx &
rest that we learned. Really pretty day. Masked
booby came to visit. Tomorrow the Equator? I have
party supplies ready. Today, wind 5 knots South East.
Love Mom & Dad. PS, You are supposed to say that the
story about the fish in the bed was funny.
Sun, 7 May 2000 05:51:24 GMT
My chart goes to the Marquises, does yours? I’ll
order 3 by email for Vince, Sheryl and us, Sheryl will
bring to us. Wind 4 knots, boat speed 1.7 knots,
quiet peaceful easy to work slow.
Sun, 7 May 2000 02:41:44 -0400
From: Noelle Thompson
11:18pm. Wind the same. I read Vince your fish in bed
story and he laughed and laughed, very funny.
Sun, 7 May 2000 23:08:59 GMT
Happy Birthday dear Jeffery, Happy Birthday to you.
We had BIG celebration! But no ice cream & cake for
us. We celebrated at Lat00.00.00N 129W. Had things to
toot & wave & eat. Equator looks just as expected
-flat, hot. It took a long time to get over Mother
Earth’s big belly-took forever it seems. Now we are on
downhill side of Earth so should be easier. Much love
to all including Henry.
14 May 2000 02:03:48 GMT
Squally all day. I no longer ignore "those fuzzy areas
on the radar" or wonder, why is it lightning all
around us? Or why is it so cold all of a sudden or why
am I getting pelted by rain & nearly blown off face of
the earth. Now I know & take appropriate action. See?
I learn. Dad has several pages of things to order.
Will take several months for him to get it typed into
Inmarsat! Hanging out today going real slow so we can
get to anchorage in daylight.
From Noelle Thompson
8:00am. Happy Mothers Day. I love you soooooo much!
You are incredible, inspirational, beautiful,
brilliant, & a Mighty adventurous spirit! I imagine
your looking at islands now. What a wonderful
feeling! You did it! Yeehoo! We are celebrating you
today. Haven’t writing much because no weather to
tell-just blue following you around. Shasta is 32
pounds now. Lots of training on the land & water
retrieves and heels now. I am very busy at work
now:-( I cooked a honker goose for dinner last night
for friends—yummy! They said “look at that big
goose!” I felt good. I asked if they could help me
lift it onto the carving platter since it was so
heavy! Heehee. Noelle & I love you! Vince
5-14, 830am. 9.48S 138.49W. I awoke to a beautiful
sunrise, island & wonderful Mother's Day love from
Vince, Noelle & Shasta (dog).(Not that I haven't
emailed Happy Mother's Day I just get up later!) We
are here! Last night we hovered so we wouldn't get
here in the dark-that sucked! Just rolled around out
there going nowhere getting seasick-Jeff would love
it. I'm with him-moving sure makes a difference. Maybe
I will have tacquitos & oranges for breakfast. Freezer
is still cold after all these days.
