Saturday, June 13, 2009

A Sweet Southerly

Position: 06/13/09 as of 1647Z 16 01.633N 99 47.120W

This morning the wind died off and shifted to the port bow. I sailed along slowly until midday when it built to about 15 knots and I was able to make 6.5 knots on course to my way point which is amazing for going up this part of the coast. At least it is for me!

The wind has held for most of the day. Other than having to dodge an occasional ship, it has been smooth sailing. Hopefully, the wind will hold steady tonight and I will be able to make some good miles toward my way point which lies below the Sea of Cortez.

We have been getting a lot of questions as to when I will be back in Marina del Rey. It is hard to say for sure because there are so many variables. Right now, all being well, I should be back the last week in June or the first week in July. Details will come as they are known. If you aren't close enough to come out for the big day, we will have video footage of the day on my site either live (still working on it) or in a few days. More info to come here as well.

Time to grab some sleep.

Cheers,
Zac

31 Comments:

Blogger JBo said...

A-ha! A nice little wind. Time for me to go to bed and pray for favorable winds again. :-) Keep working it!!!!

June 13, 2009 at 9:47 PM  
Blogger SMR said...

So glad the wind is finally being kind to you! I'm anxious for you to get further north and away from those storms I keep seeing on the radar! Hang in there - you're almost home!

June 13, 2009 at 9:55 PM  
Anonymous Bill Jamison said...

I think it's time to start the official "When will Zac enter the marina?" contest! It's hard to beleive you're so close to the finish now Zac, what a truly epic adventure you've had and I thank you for taking all of us faithful blog readers along with you on this amazing journey!

June 13, 2009 at 10:26 PM  
Anonymous Sylvia said...

What great news, Captain Zac. So glad the wind has picked up. God be with you as you journey homeward.
Sylvia in Cherry Valley

June 13, 2009 at 11:01 PM  
Blogger hannah144 said...

Hey Zac!

Glad to hear your doing well, we're all praying for you and can't wait to see you when you get back!
Love,
the Coyles

June 13, 2009 at 11:14 PM  
Blogger Bec said...

too bad you cant make a detour up to San Felipe! I'll be up there this next week! ;)

~Rebecca Z

June 13, 2009 at 11:23 PM  
Blogger Marilyn said...

@Melanie

What a meaningful blog entry you made on the last blog. Sometimes those comments get missed when a new blog is posted, so I wanted to make sure everyone went back and read your entry at the end of the June 12 blog.

Thank you so much for your sensitive and compassionate comments about faith, religion and your perspective on the bloggers here on Zac's site. I think you said it all just perfectly.

Thank you so much.

Marilyn in Woodland Hills

June 13, 2009 at 11:26 PM  
Blogger Alpha Otter said...

I'll be praying that you have a smooth trip as you close in on the finish line. I'm still blown away by this whole thing. It makes me want to do awesome things and to seek my God-given purpose on earth with every ounce of my being. I'm thankful for another day to pursue that.

On another note, all this recent talk about Mexico on your blog (since you're sailing past it currently) reminds me of the Hemingway book "Old Man and the Sea." Just read it again. It's about an old deep sea fisherman in Mexico who catches the biggest catch of his life out on the Gulf of Mexico. It's an amazing book, and if you haven't read it, I recommend it. The descriptions of sailing and the sea are stunning. The old man struggled with the big fish on his line for days and days out on the open sea, and when he would fall asleep every now and then he would always dream of lions that he once saw roaring under the moon on the shores of Africa while sailing as a young man. It made me think of all the amazing things a person might see while sailing (did you see any lions on the shores of Africa by any chance?). I look forward to reading about/seeing all the cool stuff you saw on your adventure when your book/DVD comes out. God's creation is a wonder to behold!!!

God bless and God speed!

-Kevin Ott in Santa Barbara, CA.

June 13, 2009 at 11:52 PM  
Blogger John Gezelius said...

Paddle faster, paddle faster

June 14, 2009 at 12:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fantastic news....things going well for you and good job dodging the occasional ship!
We want you home safe and well...that's all we are asking right now.
Continue the excellent work Zac...proud of you.
Looks like the sensible thing for us to do, is wait to see the video footage of your homecoming although my dearest dream would be to be there, to see you HOME!

UK friend

June 14, 2009 at 1:18 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Since Zac's official departure date was June 14, 2008 we would like to say;

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY for one year at sea Zac!

From all of us here at www.bandacorp.com

June 14, 2009 at 1:40 AM  
Blogger "Skipper" said...

I'm writing this on Sunday morning, June 14th, and it looks like I get to be the first to wish you a 'Happy Anniversary', Zac!

"Zac left the docks of Marina del Rey today as scheduled at 1:00pm. There was an electric excitement in the air as friends, family, media and kids who'd read about Zac in the newspaper all came down to see Zac off."

I'm sure you couldn't even have imagined the adventures you've had!

June 14, 2009 at 5:27 AM  
Blogger Daveh said...

Still kind of hard to believe this is all coming to and end. While I’m happy (very happy) for Zac, many of us will have a bit of an empty feeling (after we co-celebrate with Zac and his family).


Charge on Zac and thanks for sharing this journey with us, I for one, have really really enjoyed it…


Daveh & Skipper
dave@davehickson.com

June 14, 2009 at 5:55 AM  
Blogger Cindy M said...

Happy Anniversary. I just noticed it's a year today
since you left!

June 14, 2009 at 6:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Zach! Wow, you're getting pretty close! I've read all about your trip first in World Magazine, then ESPN magazine. I think its incredible what you are doing; I'm 16, and I don't think I could be alone for such long periods at time! Its so inspiring that you had a dream and you worked to accomplish it no matter what people said. Keep it up, stay safe, and I will continue praying for your journey!

June 14, 2009 at 6:37 AM  
Anonymous Laura said...

Happy 1 year Anniversary..so hard to believe it's been a year..well I'm sure for you Zac it defenitley feels like a year or even more.
Stay focuses and keep moving and as always..stay safe!!
Laura

June 14, 2009 at 7:05 AM  
Blogger Mona said...

Zac,
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! What a incredible year this has been. I, like the rest of the Zac Pac will miss the daily excitement when this adventure comes to it's close, but so thankful to have been a part of it.
Looking forward to coming to MDR and hopefully getting a chance to meet you in person.
Sail Safe!
Mona
Tucson, AZ

June 14, 2009 at 10:19 AM  
Anonymous Kodiak Mike said...

Zac-
Well, here it is....one year fater departure, and the winds are looking good. I'll bet you are reflecting on the fabulous year you've just had on this Sunday. Happy Anniversary, Zac!
Kodiak Mike

June 14, 2009 at 10:31 AM  
Anonymous Axel said...

Zac
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
You accomplished a LOT.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
to the ground crew too.
Together this family is unstopable.

June 14, 2009 at 11:06 AM  
Anonymous Michael Sheetz said...

Thanks for the info about your coming home party. I may be on the East coast when you arrive home if it is after the 29th. If it is before I will hopefully be there. Looks like you have some more wind on your side of the battle now.
Trusting in God,
Michael Sheetz
Mission Viejo, CA

June 14, 2009 at 12:59 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Glad there is little wind to move u on.
Praying for more wind to guide u safely home away from that warm water
Two more weeks!!!!

Hang tight

Sherna
AZ

June 14, 2009 at 1:12 PM  
Blogger Diane Wilkinson said...

I just realized you left one year ago today. I cannot believe that 365 days have passed. You have been having a wonderful adventure thats for sure!! I have enjoyed reading about you every day.
I am sure these last weeks will be very emotional for you and your family. Your family will be sooo happy to see you.
God bless you all.

June 14, 2009 at 1:53 PM  
Blogger Anita said...

Yea what they said....LOL!!
Hang in there Zac....homeward bound!
Hugs,
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV Womabt

June 14, 2009 at 2:05 PM  
Blogger Bob said...

*****************************

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!

ONE YEAR LATER AND LOOK AT YA!

STANDING AND CHEERING FOR YOU..

*****************************
Bob in OKC

June 14, 2009 at 4:24 PM  
Anonymous Marie said...

Happy Anniversary, Zac, on the one year mark since you set sail on your voyage! Thanks for taking all of us along with you!

Prayers will continue for your safe homecoming...

@Mom and Dad --- it won't be long now!!!

Blessings -
Marie

P.S. I posted my congrats earlier today, but my computer seemed to "wig out"... So if I have repeated myself, my apologies. I wanted to be SURE and send my best wishes to you, Zac! You are an inspiration to many!

June 14, 2009 at 5:14 PM  
Anonymous JiffyLube said...

You're getting close now Zac!

So far what section of the trip has had the hardest sailing?

June 14, 2009 at 6:34 PM  
Anonymous Steve / Palm Springs said...

I'll have that In & Out burger for you at the customs dock in San Diego when you arrive. There is an In & Out very close. I will be waiting to hear from you on 16...

June 14, 2009 at 8:05 PM  
Blogger Douglas Pistone said...

It's great you had some good winds. I'm sorry to hear that you won't arrive in time for the Esprit Boat Show in MDR on the 20th and the 21st of this month. The plans were on but sailors never know when they will arrive. It's all about the weather and the wind. I hope you get some great wind these next few days.

Thanks for all the updates!!!

Sail On Zac,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California

June 14, 2009 at 8:30 PM  
Anonymous Brenda & Desi said...

Hi Zac. I've been thinking about out there. It's 1:49am here in Atlanta. Don't seem to be able to sleep, so I write. From here the tales of breezes seem so peaceful. Somehow wondering if that helps the rest of us thinking of you out there safe. I just watched a movie this weekend I'd never seen..."Into the Wild" & I'm, let's say, moved... by the bravery, hence, Intrepid, & following your dream. I wrote a little something for her, & you...

Intrepid.
She sails me across the deep blue seas...
She shades me & she shelters me.
Intrepid as she seems to be...
Brave & bold against the deep blue sea.
She carries a once lonely boy from before,
Intrepidly, closer & closer to shore.
The oceans pound against her hull,
keeping me brave & life is never dull.
While I lay half awake, engulfed in dreams...
Mother Nature's out there; she churns, she schemes.
Intrepid as she seems to me...
Couragous & bold against the sea.
I'm no longer the lonely boy anymore...
Intrepid's bringing me home...
I can see the shore.

Bonne nuit...sail safe...Mimi & Desi Fontaine

June 14, 2009 at 11:12 PM  
Anonymous Desi & Brenda said...

Ps Zac...Happy Anniversary
Desi & Mimi

June 14, 2009 at 11:15 PM  
Anonymous Betty E. said...

Zac,
I just wanted to add my Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! to the rest of the Zacpac's.....I also cannot believe that it's been one whole year that we have trailed you, cried, prayed, anticipated and wrought our hands in anguish each time you were in a tight spot....gosh! Thanks for the memories and for letting us ride along with you. I will NEVER forget this adventure....Thank you, Laurence and Marianne for giving us Zac.
Betty E., Lomita, CA

June 15, 2009 at 10:11 AM  

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