Tuesday, September 16, 2008

News from Darwin

This just in from Karen Earnshaw via Jerry McGraw:


"I'm trying to make it into Darwin tomorrow evening" Zac told cruiser's in Aur and Ailuk atolls via high frequency radio on Tuesday evening. " I'm trying to make good progress as I really don't want to hove to off the port" he said. At 6:30 PM Tuesday, Majuro time his 36 foot yacht Intrepid was sailing at 5 to 6 knots with about 12 knots of wind.This information was relayed to Jerry McGraw on Po Oino Roa in Majuro on Wed. morning and then on to Zac's mom Marianne in L.A. via email. "it was petty exciting today because my dad flew over Intrepid today. I talked to him for a bit but then his hand held VHF radio died. I'm really looking forward to getting to Darwin" Zac said. " But I've got a lot of work ahead as we'll be hauling the boat out of the water to fix some problems".

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us keep in touch with Zac this past week. Most excellent!!

No word from Laurence yet today but I dare say he is pretty happy to be seeing his boy and finally getting to work!

Cheers,
Marianne

27 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi everyone,

How cool that Laurence flew over Zac, but how frustrating about the radio. Such is life in the boating world I suppose.

I hope that Zac can catch some stronger winds (but not too strong), so that he can get into Darwin soon. I am sure both father and son are anxious to see each other and Intrepid is ready for a "tune up".

Even though this is a slow go, we are all very thankful that it is a safe sail.

God speed dear Zac. Enjoy your time in Darwin.

Bill and Linda
Washington DC

September 16, 2008 at 2:19 PM  
Blogger Mona said...

Marianne,
Thanks for the update on Zac and also thank you to everyone making these updates possible.
Laurence must have been so excited to fly over Zac and be able to communicate, even if just for a short while.
Sounds like our next bit of news will be coming from Darwin (I hope).
Sail Safe Zac.
Mona
Tucson, AZ

September 16, 2008 at 2:20 PM  
Blogger Daveh said...

Man, I bet it was INCREDIBLY EXILERATING for Laurence to do the fly-over of Zac sailing and to briefly talk to him via the VHF…

I’m sure the energy he received from that almost caused a circuit blow! [laughing]…

I’m also sure a grown man like Laurence didn’t have any of that “watery-stuff” in his eyes… nahhhh…

Great update!

Daveh & Skipper

September 16, 2008 at 3:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Im glad to here that Zac made it through the straits,however hes still in my prayers.I was wondering if he ever gets bored,and what he does about it.I hope everything goes well in Darwin!

September 16, 2008 at 3:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How awesome that Laurence got to fly over Zac! Nah, I'm sure he didn't have any of that "watery-stuff" in his eyes!

Hope Zac gets into Darwin real soon now. He must be so anxious to see his dad and get to work!

As always, thanks so much for the updates. They are so appreciated!

Safe Sailing!

Jennifer
Sherman Oaks, CA

September 16, 2008 at 3:20 PM  
Blogger johnnyBgood said...

cool-cool-cool- nothing like a fly-over from good 'ole dad!. hang tough zac, you are almost there.
john baker/w hollywood/ca/USofA
jbaker1226@aol.com

September 16, 2008 at 3:21 PM  
Blogger kirsten said...

Im glad to here that Zac made it through the straits,however hes still in my prayers.I was wondering if he ever gets bored,and what he does about it.I hope everything goes well in Darwin!

September 16, 2008 at 3:24 PM  
Blogger kirsten said...

Im glad to here that Zac made it through the straits,however hes still in my prayers.I was wondering if he ever gets bored,and what he does about it.I hope everything goes well in Darwin!

September 16, 2008 at 3:24 PM  
Blogger Jack said...

thanks for the update.

J

http://adventuresinvoluntarysimplicity.blogspot.com/

September 16, 2008 at 3:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hooray!

What a treat to fly over...both for Laurence and Zac...amazing.
So many wonderful things happen on this journey.
Long may it be so.

Not long now!

September 16, 2008 at 3:30 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi Momma
Thanks for the update. I kept checking in to get word. Sounds like Zac is excited to feel a familiar love and see his face. I am really proud of what Zac is doing and have been using him and Torres St as an example to young teens in my life who want to give up when faced with a challenge. Hope the repairs are not extensive.
Safe saiing
Sherna and Crestwick
Austin TX

September 16, 2008 at 3:31 PM  
Blogger Tomi said...

Such great fantastic news! Sounds like Capt Zac is doing much better. Was slightly concerned for his frustration level, but knowing Lord Laurence is keeping an eye on him allieviates most of that.

Bear HUGS to all those in Majuro & their extended network & as always to Miss Karen for keeping us all updated. Sure hope Miss Karen can keep traveling around Capt Zac to keep us all current. Blessings upon blessings on her & the rest of those who have kept in touch w/our dear Capt.

Finally, thx Lady Marianne for posting the latest update. You truly are an amazing person! (Do you have your blog yet?!?)

HUGS!
Tomi/ATL

September 16, 2008 at 3:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Marianne,

Thanks for the good news. I know it was exciting for Laurence to see Zac and vice versa. I'm sure the little communication was worth a thousand words. I even got goose bumps just reading your post.
I know it must have been very heartwarming for you and your family.

Zac, sail on and keep safe. God speed.

Dick & Gin
Upland

September 16, 2008 at 4:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Help me out, please, with "off the port"... What are the ramifications for that bit of colloquialism? Is he thinking he could potentially lose the opportunity to get to Darwin in some way?

September 16, 2008 at 4:21 PM  
Blogger Willyboy said...

I hope the schedule holds! I'm guessing that with the light winds the heat is making things uncomfortable. Zac I know you're just itchin' to get into Darwin. First a shower, then some rest, then a good meal, then dig into all the work. Sounds like you'll have a full schedule in Darwin but I still hope you can get a little down time as well, see some sights, tell some tales...

Marianne, sounds like quite the communication chain you've established there! So nice to know you have so many folks interested and involved in keeping you up to date with Zac's status...

Cheers!

willy
milford, ohio

September 16, 2008 at 4:26 PM  
Blogger Barb said...

Wow! I can only imagine how exciting it must have been for Laurence to fly over Zac sailing and also the excitement in Zac talking to his Dad during that time. Praying for a safe arrival for Zac into Darwin and some great bonding time with Laurence as well as getting things lined up for the next leg.

September 16, 2008 at 4:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can sense Laurence's immense pride in seeing Zac from the air from here! I have to tell you that I'm feeling it too!

Sitting here with a huge smile on my face and a bit teary. :) :)

"I'm really looking forward to getting to Darwin," Zac said. You're not the only one, my friend. Me too!

HURRY!

Melanie in Torrance

September 16, 2008 at 5:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So happy that Laurence got to fly over Zac and talk to him. Bummer that the radio went out on them, though.

Zac, you're in my prayers! wishing that you get to Darwin soon, and that the wind will pick up to get you there faster. You make us all proud. Good job on what you're doing and what you've done. Keep it up! Hope all the problems get fixed on the Intrepid quickly and easily.

Blessings on Zac, the Sunderland Family, and everyone else involved in his journey.

Elissa R. Walther
Houston, Texas

September 16, 2008 at 5:55 PM  
Blogger Anonymous said...

Marianne,

Too bad that Laurence could not make a drop. Maybe a sat phone, or something else Zac needed!

I'm really happy that they both knew they were seeing each other. Zac being so far from home must have felt very good to know his dad was so close.

Thanks for the update. I can't wait for Zac to arrive in Darwin!

September 16, 2008 at 7:02 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Hi all,
Just thought I would point out that Karen @ Pacific Mag has a new article on Zac...check it out.
Kate

September 16, 2008 at 7:33 PM  
Blogger Dana said...

My 7 yr old daughter was away from me for a month, visiting her cousins in Israel for the whole month of August. I cried like a baby when I finally held her again in my arms upon her return. I certainly can appreciate Marianne's missing her boy, and Laurence's reunion with him. You just never know about these things til you're a parent! ;-)

Dana
Santa Monica, Ca

September 16, 2008 at 8:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I perceive that some of the commenters shared my feelings reading Marianne's great post! Come on now. The Croaker cannot have a frog in his throat, it just ain't right. And what's this warm wet feeling behind my eyeballs.

It's overwhelming to imagine the emotions of Laurence and Zac eyeballing each other from ship and aircraft after all that has transpired since their last meeting.

Zac, when you get to Darwin, we'd like to know if you ever thought you'd see your father and think that he was completely beautiful? I know that fathers always see their sons that way, but Laurence has to deal with meeting up with a different man from the boy who left Marina del Rey in June.

Have a happy and productive time together as you bring Intrepid back up to her potential

The Croaker

September 16, 2008 at 8:39 PM  
Blogger Fulgum said...

Great news! A big Thank You to Jerry and Karen for the info.

Wow! I bet that was such an adrenaline rush for both Zac AND Lawrence to be able to communicate like that while he was flying over the scene. That will be a tearful moment if they ever make this journey into a movie!!!

:)

Scott

September 16, 2008 at 9:21 PM  
Blogger Debbie said...

Hi everyone,

Just getting ready to go to bed and thought I would check up on Zac, like I always do before going to sleep. What a surprise to see that picture. It is an awesome sight!! What pride Laurence must have felt when he spotted his son!! I can only imagine!! It brought tears of joy to think he will be there soon, if he is not there already!!

So proud of you Zac. Enjoy your stay in Darwin,You are amazing!!

Hugs and more Hugs!!
Debbie
North Hills, CA

September 17, 2008 at 12:00 AM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

Hello All,

Apparently I missed this post yesterday being so busy at work. It's great to know Laurence was able to fly over Zac and get a little talking time in.

Thanks for the great update even though I was a little late seeing it. My next post (1 day in future) had me asking if the picture was taken from a helicopter or plane. Sorry, I missed this post and saw it after sending tomorrows post. I guess I answered my own question.

Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California

September 17, 2008 at 6:19 AM  
Blogger jaydog said...

zac hi i am in the 4th and5th grade class at npca im in 5th grade i hope you make it to darwin safely my class will pray for you beat that record zac cheers jaydog

September 17, 2008 at 3:05 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

i hope your voyage goes well! and i hope you finish it before you turn eighteen. i think it's REALLY cool what you are doing! i would be SO afraid to go ALL that way by myself! you will probably be like famous or something if you finish the voyage LOL !!! :) i i'm in 6th grade and live in Missouri

September 25, 2008 at 12:53 PM  

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