Monday, June 29, 2009

No News is Good News




Position: 06/29/09 22 56.477N 110 41.402W

Still making good progress up the coast here with a gentle southerly wind behind me. I don't know how long this will last but I am making as much progress as I can before the north westerlies kick in and I have to start tacking again. We're weighing the options of heading offshore again or staying nearshore with it's diurnal sea breezes.

Have been studying the sea floor around here. It is really crazy with tons of groups of shallows which would make the seas really steep if the usual north westerlies were blowing.

There really is not much to write about now which is a good thing for me. It means everything is working and going well which is a welcome change!

Looks like on this present track that I will be back around July 14th. Details are still being worked out but it will for sure be in Marina del Rey! More news to come. Speaking of news....sign up for my Newsletter for the latest updates on the return and afterwards. There is a red link in the margin of the blog and web site.

Gotta get back to it.
Cheers,
Zac




37 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Back to the chart house Zac. I know you are ready to start your next adventure, but you are still on this one.

You are not in Alberta Canada yet.

Looking forward to the middle of the month.

Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com

June 30, 2009 at 3:37 AM  
Blogger Anita said...

Hi Zac
Great photos....loved seeing those!!

I am SO bummed that I can't make your arrival to MDR!! NY is just so far away....I guess the web cam will have to do!

You and your family are thought of and kept in prayer on a daily basis.

Sail on!!
Blessings
Anita
Waterloo NY
Captain SV "Wombat"

June 30, 2009 at 3:48 AM  
Blogger JBo said...

So close!!! We'll be praying that this last stretch is smmooootthhh sailing! What an awesome year! Wish we could be there to scream you in!

June 30, 2009 at 5:41 AM  
Blogger KenGreig said...

Wonderful detailed photos. Thank you for those. Despite the beating that Intrepid has had during the past year, Old Glory looks to be strong and is in excellent condition.

June 30, 2009 at 5:44 AM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

Well it's great that you do not have any bad news to report. I kind of like it that way. You're taking advantage of everything mother nature is giving you with those southerly winds behind you. Hopefully you'll be able to hold off the tacking for a good while.

Thanks for giving us an ETA. Please keep us updated as we know these ETA could always change. Hopefully sooner would be better.

Zac, enjoy the last portion of this leg and step back and think "What Have I Done". I'm sure you have many more good memories of the past year than you have of the bad ones. Your willingness to stay with it, not give up, and most of all Go Hard Things is admired by me, everyone in my company, and I'm sure everyone who hears about your story. Let's make sure more people hear about your story. It's a great story!!!

Sail to MDR,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California

June 30, 2009 at 6:57 AM  
Anonymous Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher said...

Zac -- appreciate the update even though you feel like it's little news to share, it means very much to many of us to know you're out there, plugging along, making your way home... Take good care out there - Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher

June 30, 2009 at 7:08 AM  
Blogger valntim said...

Zac,
Last Sunday my girlfriend treated me to a ride on the Stars and Stripes (USA 34). We were able to be part of the working crew! My 10 year old son and I worked the "coffee grinders", and took turns steering the boat. Since it is a racing yacht, we were flying by all of the other sailboats in San Diego Bay. It was built for speed. My son was wearing his Zac shirt. One of the crew members is a 17 year old boy. He saw the shirt, but didn't know who you were. He does now! His eyes lit up when I told him you started this when you were 16, and turned 17 at sea. I told him of your web site. Hopefully he will tune in.
Anyway, we all had a blast this weekend. I would never had the experience if it weren't for you Zac, thanks.
Tim Burns
Palm Springs, CA
P.S. anyone who is interested, the boat ride was 1 1/2 hrs. @ $49 per person. www.stars-stripes.com

June 30, 2009 at 7:10 AM  
Anonymous Kodiak Mike said...

Attention All Zac Pac'ers
Smooth sailin for Zac right now---and as you have heard, the arrival date is now the 14th. If you
want to be a part of a Zac Pac gathering in MDR, need lodging etc,
Please RSVP to welcomehomezac@yahoo.com
Sail on, Zac!
Kodiak Mike

June 30, 2009 at 7:17 AM  
Blogger Mouse on a Motorcycle said...

Congratulations on the smooth patch in your Baja Bash!

Have you noticed that you seem to be ALMOST around some great racing yachts? You missed the Volvo fleet (Ericsson 4 won overall) by a few hundred miles in the Atlantic, and now the Transpac fleet is leaving Long Beach throughout this week. You'll have to enter one of these races someday, just so you won 't miss the fleet! And if you're loooking for free crew while you're doing it...

Selfish me thinks you should slow your arrival down ever so slightly. I'd be tickled if you got home on my birthday, since I'm taking that day off of work anyway. ;-)

Still praying Numbers 6:24-26
Mouse in Whittier
www.myspace.com/mouseonamotorcycle

Buy "Death and Coffee" here!

June 30, 2009 at 7:53 AM  
Blogger MyLabRats said...

Keep up the good work Zac! You're almost done w/the first of the many adventures your life is sure to bring.

Hope to make it to MDR in July.

Jason
Culver City, CA

June 30, 2009 at 8:01 AM  
Blogger Sugarbear7 said...

I can't begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed this adventure with you Zac and your wonderful family and everyone that has been a part of this awesome ride. Wish I could be there when you sail into Marina Del Rey in person, but because of the many miles seperating us ( 2,182 miles from Hiram, Ga ) I can only be there in in spirit.
I will pray for a swift and safe journey on for you brave man.

Take care,
Gen
gensbear@bellsouth.net

June 30, 2009 at 8:16 AM  
Blogger Mona said...

Zac,
So glad that you are making slow but steady (and uneventful) progress towards home.
My family and I were all set to leave Tucson Sunday 7/5 for your previously posted ETA. Now that your date has been moved back we will do everything in our power to re-schedule our time off and be in MDR for your arrival.
This has been such an amazing year and I'm so thankful to have had the chance to sail vicariously around the world with you.
See you in MDR.
Stay safe!
Mona
Tucson, AZ

June 30, 2009 at 8:17 AM  
Anonymous Melanie said...

Great to hear that Zac is making such good progress up the coast. I'm also extremely pleased that there will "live" webcam coverage of Zac's arrival in MDR. Although, I'm local, I'm thrilled that members of the Pac around the world will be able to share in the event and hopefully other festivities that are planned.

I do hope that his scheduled arrival for the 14th-16th doesn't get pushed back any further, or I might not be in town to witness it.... Keepin' my fingers crossed.

June 30, 2009 at 8:17 AM  
Blogger Sugarbear7 said...

I can't begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed this adventure with you Zac and your wonderful family and everyone that has been a part of this awesome ride. Wish I could be there when you sail into Marina Del Rey in person, but because of the many miles seperating us ( 2,182 miles from Hiram, Ga ) I can only be there in in spirit.
I will pray for a swift and safe journey on for you brave man.
Take care,
Gen
gensbear@bellsouth.net

June 30, 2009 at 8:18 AM  
Blogger Patti* said...

Hola Zac, I have been a silent observer Thx to my Facebook friend Cindy Whitehead and I want to congratulate you on this dangerous & AWESOME adventure of yours. I am sooooooooooo impressed with your progress. Wish I had been in Cabo, we would-of come out to wave you by. The Calif coast was were I grew up on my 16 ft Starlet out of San Diego Yacht Club & the bay. At your age I was sailing out to cruse with the whales in Jan-Feb & race the fog bank back in from the Coranados, I understand!
You have been so blessed for your opportunity. I'll be watching your arrival from my laptop in "CSL"
Your a wonderful Young man!

Patti McGee
FirstBetty@aol.com

June 30, 2009 at 9:33 AM  
Anonymous Maureen said...

Hi Zac,
God is hearing all of our prayers about you !!

Keep on Keepin On ... You'll be home in no time. Please film your arrival and post it on You Tube for all of us in the sticks.

Maureen
Boise

June 30, 2009 at 9:40 AM  
Anonymous Marie said...

I cannot tell you how THRILLED I am that Zac's homecoming will be shared via web cam for all of us out-of-towners!!! A huge thank you to all involved in making this possible! Part of me wants to see another "live comment session" (if we promise to be good, of course!) like we had on Panama Canal Day. But then, I think I just want to watch the events as they unfold, never mind what is going through my mind at that moment. What a day that's going to be...

Zac --- you are really closing in on MDR now! We are all so proud of you that we are just about to burst! Stay focused and ENJOY!!!

Great repair photos. Goodness!

Sail on home!
Blessings -
Marie

June 30, 2009 at 9:59 AM  
Blogger Marilyn said...

Los Angeles Times had another photo of Zac in the left column of the inside page of the Sports Section today (Tuesday), directing readers to the blog about his return home. It's the same link as someone posted here yesterday:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/06/zac-sunderland-en-route-home-no-small-thanks-to-dear-old-dad.html

'So glad he's getting the publicity he deserves.

I hope Marianne or someone will let us know what day and time the big news stories from the interviews in Mexico will air on TV.

'Can't wait to see Zac sail into MDR! What a wonderful story, and it's even more special to have been a part of the Zac Pac for the last year, and to have lived every moment through his blog. I can't wait for the DVD and book! But first the Homecoming!

Marilyn in Woodland Hills

June 30, 2009 at 10:00 AM  
Anonymous Marie said...

oops --- forgot to ask when the new T-shirts will be available, or are they only going to be for those lucky enough to be at the marina to welcome Zac home? Nevermind all the details such as shipping, etc... Wouldn't it be cool if all of us watching from our homes could be wearing one while WE whoop and holler him home?!?

Marie :)

June 30, 2009 at 10:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Any idea how close you will be coming past San Diego? It would be great to come out and see you sail past...

June 30, 2009 at 10:16 AM  
Anonymous Laura said...

You & Intrepid look much better!
Happy to hear all is going well for you both.
So tell us Zac..whats on your mind as your solo circumnavigation just about rounds up..are you ready for it to be over..at least the sailing part because the rest of your adventure is just beginning!
Can't wait to see you sail into fishermans village!! Oh and when you see the fireworks on Sat..they are for you!:}
Stay safe till then
Laura MacDougal
Bermuda Dunes CA {it's already 99 and only 11:20am)

June 30, 2009 at 11:24 AM  
Anonymous Just me said...

I personally do NOT want your journey to be over. Why?? Because I won;t have your blog to read and live your adventure with you. I surely will have an adjustment to make with no more to read. Its like getting to the end of a book and not wanting to read the last page because you have enjoyed the book so much. I wonder how YOU feel about it being the end??

June 30, 2009 at 11:46 AM  
Anonymous Kathleen in Palms said...

I have marked July 14th on my calendar and the days before and after.

God speed, Zacster.
:o)

June 30, 2009 at 1:40 PM  
Anonymous Mimi & Desi said...

No news is good news today, Zac. Enjoy every second. I know you're anxious now that you can almost see your slip. I can't help but be thankful that it's not about 30 knots & 10-12 out there. Trust, & hopefully an informed decision will take you exactly where your supposed to be. After all...you have come all the way around this planet of ours. I trust you're being watched over & the place you're supposed to be is MDR. We're trying to juggle our schedule, see if we can come out for a few days. We'll see where you are about the 7th. I know you've lived this moment out 1,000 times in your head...but I'm still just plain in awe. Desi & I would be proud to say we were there, & got to meet you. Either way, I'm proud we found you when we did. We feel like we're a part of history, because of you. You truely are a special young man, Zac. Only prayers of safety & success coming from Atlanta. Have a breezy night.
May the westerlies not bother you till light. Mimi & Desi

June 30, 2009 at 2:49 PM  
Anonymous Mimi said...

PS...The photo of you in red...& great hair; where were you? As usual, awesome. Mimi

June 30, 2009 at 2:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"No News is Good News"

might be an appropriate time to answer all those questions ;-)

June 30, 2009 at 4:36 PM  
Blogger Jeffry said...

Zac, just how deep (or shallow) are you looking for out there? In other words, how shallow must a mount be to effect the sea surface? I know the obvious of several fathoms..but you aren't in waters under say 100 feet, right? (other than making land I mean)

Curious, Thor (Jeffry)

June 30, 2009 at 6:14 PM  
Anonymous The Writer said...

Zac,
Thanks for giving us a projected date for your finish! That's just two short weeks, and I guess it could be sooner?
You need some deserved down time out there after all of your troubles.
Blog when you can.
George Cox, Wilmington, NC

June 30, 2009 at 6:28 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

NEWS FLASH, Zac Pak! ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson" will have a feature story on Zac's adventure on today's newscast. In LA that's 6:30 PM on Channel 7 . . . check your local listings! This was promoted on yesterday's broadcast.

Dale in LA

July 1, 2009 at 7:46 AM  
Blogger LouAnne said...

Wednesday morning here now and we just heard that the recent ABC interview with Zac will be on the ABC evening news with Charlie Gibson tonight, July 1st.

Thought some might like to know.

July 1, 2009 at 8:51 AM  
Anonymous Marie said...

Finally!! Some national attention for Zac! Thank you, Charlie and ABC!

Blessings -
Marie

July 1, 2009 at 9:47 AM  
Blogger Rob said...

Stay away from that shore. The adverse current gets real depressing the closer to shore.

July 1, 2009 at 10:06 AM  
Anonymous Will/East London S.A. said...

Hi Zac !!

Don't forget to tack TO THE RIGHT when you hear a massive crowd yelling.....Zááááááááááááác....

Sail smoothly into MDR

Greetz.

July 1, 2009 at 10:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did anyone tell Mark & Brian that Zac's almost home?
Laura

July 1, 2009 at 1:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Waited for Zac on the ABC news here in south FLA, but there was no story about him.

July 1, 2009 at 7:15 PM  
Anonymous Welcker Family said...

Posted on the ABC Website:

"We promoted a piece by Neal Karlinsky for tonight about a teen on an unbelievable sailing mission. But the news today of the passing of a Hollywood legend made us change plans. We'll bring you the piece about the sailor soon." =(

Godspeed Zac - we will keep the prayers going!

Love,

Don, Sandy, Roxanne

July 1, 2009 at 9:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Zac.I've followed your progress,I have really enjoyed watching your voyage .You have accomplished something most people only dream of.You are in the ranks of Bethany Hamilton & Aron Ralston Two people that have over come incredible odds.made great achievements in life.walk tall young man walk tall.You have my respect! Wesley Pryde, Stockton Calif.

July 7, 2009 at 11:13 PM  

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