Terrible night last night. There were at least 6 ships on the horizon thru the night which meant me half awake and half asleep watching them until they passed. The swells are huge. Must be from the weather system up north. Dad and Abby got pretty beaten up on their yacht delivery to San Fransisco. I did have a decent amount of wind for a time and managed to make over 120 miles in less than 24 hours.
And that was the end of the wind. I was thrown out of bed this morning and spent today rocking from gunwall to gunwall (sides of the boat) in at least 8 foot swells with no wind to stabalize the boat!
Then the good news: I've sailed into the edge of a high pressure ridge that is expanding off the coast of Mexico. Translation...no wind. This is not a good thing for a person whose purpose in life is to go!
There has been a disruption to the usual weather patterns which has caused the normal clockwise flow of wind to scatter in a totally random pattern. My ClearPoint Weather screen looks like an Impressionist painting. The area where Intrepid is is light blue to white which means very little wind.
I've been feeling anxious about the situation and about the boat. My mom says it is the lack of sleep and normal for what I'm doing but I feel really bad. I'm tired and I'm tired of rocking around going nowhere. The weather should go back to normal by the end of the week but that seems unbearable at the moment!!
Mom and dad reminded me that I can do this and I know I can.
Pray for wind!
Zac
And that was the end of the wind. I was thrown out of bed this morning and spent today rocking from gunwall to gunwall (sides of the boat) in at least 8 foot swells with no wind to stabalize the boat!
Then the good news: I've sailed into the edge of a high pressure ridge that is expanding off the coast of Mexico. Translation...no wind. This is not a good thing for a person whose purpose in life is to go!
There has been a disruption to the usual weather patterns which has caused the normal clockwise flow of wind to scatter in a totally random pattern. My ClearPoint Weather screen looks like an Impressionist painting. The area where Intrepid is is light blue to white which means very little wind.
I've been feeling anxious about the situation and about the boat. My mom says it is the lack of sleep and normal for what I'm doing but I feel really bad. I'm tired and I'm tired of rocking around going nowhere. The weather should go back to normal by the end of the week but that seems unbearable at the moment!!
Mom and dad reminded me that I can do this and I know I can.
Pray for wind!
Zac
posted by Zac at
9:45 PM
44 Comments:
This will be the first of many tests that you will encounter on your journey. Stay focused, rest when you can and look forward to another day and the opportunities that it will present to you.
GO ZAC! From Melanie in Torrance
Zac, Keep your chin up. Every journey is bound to have some time in the doldrums. You are just getting your time out of the way right off the bat! Although we've never met, we're all proud of what you and what your doing. It's great to see a young man with some character.
Keep up the good work, brother.
Dont worry Zac, We all know you will pull through, so will Gad so just BELIEVE!!! Oh and if it comes to trying to find a way to make yourself get some sleep, the book(pirates passage) is really good at that! x)
This is a little like the inversion layers in Southern California. Eventually they dissipate.......
You're doing great!
Scott
Hi Zac,
Whatever may be the jargons about weather. When each one of us (ie Millions of us) puts in a breath for u, the winds would come in search of you.
'sore for more'
I'll Pray for you.
Hubert
Remember to rest your mind as well as your body. You have so much to look forward to. I will pray for wind tonight so you can get on with the good times ahead.
Smart man getting the down time out of way early, but stop being a slacker and let's sail around the world? I'll be around to harass till your home safe.
BradleyB - Spokane, WA
Have faith: The weather usually changes faster than predicted!!
What do you think about the idea of a solar propeller for times like these for those of us who are not trying to set records!!??
I am following you because of an article in the San Diego Union newspaper.
Good Luck - I think you are doing great!!
Dennis Ainsworth - San Diego
drainsworth@yahoo.com
hey there zac,
praying for some gusts to come your way. hang in there. this is just the beginning of even greater challenges.
ricardo
omeros.net
Remind yourself that this is an adventure and challenge. Each day will bring new opportunities to test yourself and your craft. Know that you have the support of your family and many people from around the world.
Hanui-o-Rangi - polynesian- father of the winds-
ask for his help
Wow, thank you so much for really giving us the details of your trip. I have been following your story for a few weeks now and, although I'm sure you were anticipating tribulations throughout your trip, we were all hoping they would hold off as long as possible. At least until you get into your "groove."
Sounds like you're handling everything as you should. You have a strong team of supporters from all over the world! Just keep soaking up all of the encouragement (if you have any time to read it!) and focus on your task.
I'll be praying for wind!!
Marie's Daycare will praying for wind for you all the way!
Be Safe, rest when you can, keep up the faith.
Marie from Young America Minnesota
I will be praying for wind and rest for you Zac. This is SO amazing that you are doing this adventure! What a time in your life.
Maria
This comment has been removed by the author.
STAY FOCUSSED ZAC
Dear Zac, like parenting, being captain of your vessel is 24/7. It is not easy. You've had so much emotion and endorfins preparing for this trip,so understandable the frustrations at this point. Thank you very much for allowing us to be part of it. We are all rooting for you and secretly wishing we could be crew!!
God bless you. Diane
BELIEVE!!!
You can do this!
The weather is only temporary!
Zac, All I can say is you are just unbelievable. Doing what you are doing has to be the most inspiring thing in the world. I'm in Texas and you have to know that you are showing others in the world that one can do anything if they want to.
Joshua Slocum and Harry Pigion would be amazed at your courage. If you ended your journey today or if you stayed the course and completed it you would still be one of the bravest young men on the sea. Second star on the right and straight on 'til morning. Blessings and bon voyage!
FredD/Olympia
We are praying for wind.
Zac, Hang in there and look at what your feeling is a test of your endurance. To do what you are doing is no different than Tiger Woods, playing and winning the US Open, all the while, having a bad knee. You are an athlete. I am proud and praying for you.
Come Sail Away
I'm sailing away, set an open course for the virgin sea
I've got to be free, free to face the life that's ahead of me
On board, I'm the captain, so climb aboard
We'll search for tomorrow on every shore
And I'll try, oh Lord, I'll try to carry on
I look to the sea, reflections in the waves spark my memory
Some happy, some sad
I think of childhood friends and the dreams we had
We live happily forever, so the story goes
But somehow we missed out on that pot of gold
But we'll try best that we can to carry on
A gathering of angels appeared above my head
They sang to me this song of hope, and this is what they said
They said come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
I thought that they were angels, but to my surprise
They climbed aboard their starship and headed for the skies
Singing come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
Come sail away, come sail away
Come sail away with me
Hi Zac
What an awesome opportunity our Lord has given you, and parents that trust and respect the skills HE has gifted you with! This is Mrs. Sullivan from TPCS (you were in service club back in '04-'05 when I was the parent/advisor) What a privilege it is to track with you on your sea adventure and an even greater privilege to be keeping you in prayer during your trip--your parents are right--you can do this and God's word reminds us of this in Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Take care Zac Mrs. Sullivan
Hi, Zac!
This is my first post...but I've been following your blog since I read an article in the Seattle Times about your voyage.
As I sit in a cubicle, in a tall concrete box, I envy SO much that you are living the life and adventure of your dreams!
And although I really can't imagine what you are going through, just remember it is only temporary. There will be highs, and there will be lows...but never all of one or the other! Hang in there - you have a huge support group to lean on.
Please keep "keeping it real" in your posts - just as you are now.
We ARE with you!
Best of luck & fair weather + wind!
Kat
Zac,
I was in Marina Del Ray last week for business and stayed an extra 3 days to watch you leave. Good Luck and enjoy the voyage.
I would really like to hear more about what you are seeing along the way.
Hi There Zac,
Just wanted to send a word of encouragement your way. Nothing quite as empty feeling as when there is no air in the sails. Trust God, it will pass with time, better times are right around the corner. I'm following your adventure from here in the middle of the US, Oklahoma, where I can never leave the sight of land when sailing our small lake. Oh to be like you, following a dream, and to be in the open blue water. Thanks for allowing me to come along, by your writing I too get to share the experience to some degree. You can do this. I believe in you!
Blessings, Bob the Sailor
I remember in the 1st little video on your web page you saying you are not doing this to conquer the ocean, but to spend time with it, learning from it...You have some impressive technological tools aboard your ship! The ocean will give you the impressive psychological tools you need to complete this journey. It's forging these tools in you right now... try not to fight it. Let the ocean do it's masterful, wonderful, difficult work inside you! You are an inspiration already -Steph (Memphis homeschooling mama)
Ooooh. Ow. Hope the wind comes back soon! This is probably just the first of many challenges that await you, but I'm sure you can do it!
~Kate~
Just keep ur head up! If the weather changes as fast in California as is does in Maine, You should be moving along really soon. And besides, your endeavor can't go perfectly, and no one expects that it will! I might as well happen in the begining!
a la votre, beifall, and aclamaciones! (cheers!)
Devin W.
Zac,
I broke my leg wake skating two years ago. My brother gave me the book 'Sailing around the world alone' by Joshua Slocum, to read while I was laid up. What an incredible record of his adventures. After reading it I thought the days of this type of adventure were long gone, Wow was I wrong. I look forward to reading your blog each day and tell my kids about what you write. I am impressed and amazed at your maturity. You are a role model to those who strive to be better, real and upstanding.
May the wind be at your back, the horizon ahead and beyond....Home.
Martin and Family
Hi Zac, I Know that sleep does alot for the body.Try If U Can Get 10 min. naps. It helps me. Set the timer. Wishing for wind to sail you on, Keep The faith and take what ever comes at you. AWAYS BE alert.Thanks for answering my mail.GOD BLESS YOU ALL THE WAY. you r n MY prayers DAILY.
Walter Savage
We're all behind you, Zac!! You may be young in years but you are a man and you can deal with this. It will pass and there is good sailing ahead!!!! Hang tough!!
Hey Zac, I'm sure it must be maddening with everything rattling and sails wacking around - it will change. If it wasn't hard everyone would do it. Sailors have been dealing with that insanity (periods of no wind and heavy swell for centuries) when you get underway again it'll be like shade on a hot day and your spirits will fill with your sails. You are doing great dude. You are the Captain you can't let it get to you. We all have faith in you and your abilities. YOU CAN DO IT!
from Keith in SoCal
Don't get down on yourself bud. You can do it!!
Maktub.
Hang in there buddy! I stare at your photo and a map of the world every night before I go to bed and think about where you must be.
Be tough.
Chris, Alhambra
PHILIPPIANS 4:13
Zac -- Isn't NO wind just as much part of sailing as lots of wind? Patience will go a long way for you, and using words like "challenges" instead of "problems" will help you see things in a different, more positive way. Best of luck!!!!
Sending prayers for wind your way...We check your blog every day and know that the adventures ahead will make this down time worth it. Hang in there...we are all thinking of you and inspired by you pursuing your dream.
-The Tanguay Family, Santa Cruz, CA
Zac...Thank you for keeping us up to date in your blog. It's incredible to make this adventure with you from my nice, air conditioned apartment.
It's an understatement to say you're an amazing, courageous, young man. When I first heard of your goal, I could have thrown up.
That sucks about the sleep deprivation! It also sucks about the lack of wind. And it REALLY sucks about the swells! And I'm sure it sucks that you're going through this alone...although I believe GOD is your first mate. I hope you believe that too, or come to believe it soon. It will make your journey a lot easier.
The good news is there's balance in this amazing universe, so you've got some spectacular days ahead of you. Opposites!...Ya gotta love'm!
You are most definitely in my prayers.
GOD Bless!
Mark Tomesek
Studio City, CA
Hi Zac
I just saw your story on ABC 7 News this morning, and have been reading your blog with much intrest.
You and your parents are AMAZING and an inspiration to everyone who hears your story! You have a unique opportunity to view the world in a way not many people have.
Thanks to modern technology, your parents can always be a note or call away. And I, like many others can live vicariously through your adventures.
Thank you for the opportunity to share your story with you.
I wish you good sailing and look forward to your next post.
Zac: Sounds as if you are on course. Monitor the waves and weather closely. Stay alert and sail straight,
Regards
Balmoral Sailor
Good Luck Zac-Peace to you on your voyage!
Zac,
Where do the email go? Do you ever see them?
Zac, first off I would like to wish you a safe journey. As any good sailor knows (which I'm sure you do), "Red sky at night sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor's take warning." I myself spent 7 years of my childhood on the open ocean. My parents and I circumnavigated the world when I was 6. I will never forget the pacific. It is in my heart as it will be in yours. Good Luck.
Brian
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