Zac in US Waters
Hi All,
Zac is indeed back in US waters as of this morning.
He is still on for a Thursday morning return to Marina del Rey's Fisherman's Village at 13755 Fiji Way at 10:00am. There is plenty of parking in the lot at the Village as well as across and down the street.
It has been an absolutely incredible year and we look forward to celebrating Zac's outstanding achievement together with you all.
Any questions about Zac's return can be sent to: zacsworldadventure@yahoo.com
Cheers,
Team Zac
Zac is indeed back in US waters as of this morning.
He is still on for a Thursday morning return to Marina del Rey's Fisherman's Village at 13755 Fiji Way at 10:00am. There is plenty of parking in the lot at the Village as well as across and down the street.
It has been an absolutely incredible year and we look forward to celebrating Zac's outstanding achievement together with you all.
Any questions about Zac's return can be sent to: zacsworldadventure@yahoo.com
Cheers,
Team Zac
posted by Zac at
2:10 PM
92 Comments:
Wooooohooooooo! Back in the USA! Welcome home Zac to your home waters. What an incredible achievement!
Welcome home, Zac!
Warm greetings from your homeland. May our Lord keep you safely near Him no matter how far you may travel.
More than even what you are physically accomplishing, you yourself are an inspiration to others. Kudos to the young ambassador for so graciously representing our homeland to the world!
Seems each time you endured hardship and persevered through aloneness at sea, you were rewarded on land with fast friendships and great fun. Believe that is no coincidence. You are blessed! May you always be blessed with fair winds and following seas.
Thanks for allowing so many "armchair sailors" to come along for the ride!
With much joy,
Janis
Woodland Hills, CA
Wow!!!
I only recently began following your accounts of this amazing voyage you've been on and you are nothing short of incredible!
I wish I could come down from SF to welcome you in, but no such luck!
Welcome back to your home waters!
How historic! Contrats Zac, the team and especially family. Enjoy you decompression befor the last tack in.
I read Robin Graham's account in National Geographic while in High School, which inspired me to learn to sail on Donner Lake. Later I met Mic Bird at Fort Bragg, CA, and followed his blog as he attemped to row around the world. Then, the 911 attack ended his attempt.
It was senindipity that I head Zac's intervies on a station in Sacramento a little over a year ago while he was preparing to depart. Now, in the blink of an eye, your back, and another year has gone by.
Thanks to Zac, Laurence, Marianne, Jen and all the sponsors that allowed this to happen and took us along.
Thanks for the ride!!!!!!
George in Sacramento
PS: And to think I was nervous about my daughter moving to So Cal to go to college!
is the Zac Cam up and running? I click on it and it's blank... is that 'cause I'm in Canada???
Welcome back Zac!!!! 66 Hrs. to go!!
Laura
Congratulations Zac!
Been following you since the beginning and enjoying every minute of it.
Welcome Home!
Minnesota Family
Dang, that is fantastic news! I bet you guys are weak in the knees after hearing that one...
I suspect very little sleep tonight, thinking about your Zac being sooooo CLOSE TO HOME!!!
Awesome...........
Daveh
dave@davehickson.com
Zac: Welcome back to the UNITED STATES. What an amazing accomplishment for anyone of any age. God truly is on your shoulder. Safe docking.
God Bless
Balmoral Sailor
OK...now we're getting close!!!
Well Zac, I know one other woman, beside your dear mother Marianne, that will be as excited to have you back in MDR...my wife Jodi! She can't wait to get me back. Gotta love her, as she asks me frequently, "How's your boy today?" and I know she isn't talking about our own son! I've been following your remarkable journey from just before you headed out of MDR over a year ago but am just now adding my two cents to the blog, I guess it's about time. This has been an incredible journey for so many of us, and like everyone else, I'm going to really miss hearing from you, Laurence, Marianne, Jenn and the entire ZacPac family, even the Anon's!
Zac, I do have a question for you...how are the names & notes on your boom holding out? Every picture I see that shows the boom sends me squinting to see if any of them are still legible. I have a keen interest in that boom as I was the person (along with my wife Jodi) that was volunteered by Marilyn at last years fundraiser in MDR to stand watch over the then "new boom" that was on its way to meet you in Mauritius with your father. I had a great time that day and had several good conversations (and a photo) with your father along with the many other ZacPac'ers that showed up. I hope to be able to see what Jodi and I wrote on that boom along with the good wishes of everyone else on Thursday. Perhaps, another boom signing? I'll be glad to volunteer once again to stand watch over it!
Welcome back to the USA! It's good to have you almost "home"...and like I said, not sure who'll be more excited...your mom or my wife! It's been an awesome adventure and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!
Cheers,
Terry "the boom guy" Mattson
and his lonely wife Jodi
Los Alamitos
Did the Department of Homeland Security say that this long-haired old salt is not the young kid in the Passport photo and turn him back out to sea?
Welcome home Zac.
Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com
@ Terry...i might have a picture of you and your wife next to the boom..i took a close up of my signature so i will look when i get home to see if yours is in the picture too..i can send them to you if you like..or if you have a myspace or facebook, you can view them there too.
Laura
So, Zac, were you able to score a double double while you were checking in with U.S. customs? ;-)
Welcome back to the US of A! We hope to see you Thursday!
Love,
Sandy, Don, Roxanne
I have traveled with you Zac and your family since your departure. What a blessing it has been to be a part of all of your journeys. I have watched a boy turn into a man and I celebrate your return home and look forward to what is next. Always have I held you all in my love and will continue to do so...Deb
Goosebumps !!!!!
See ya via the web. Thanks for the link.
Kathy
Bend, OR
Oh man, a piece of history from Bill Mann... Oh... my.... ha ha h a...
Welcome back to the USA, Zac! We're soooo proud of you, and grateful for sharing your journey with us!
Enjoy the Sunset as you bob around san diego/orange counties....you've actually brought summer with you!
Special thanks to God's World News publications....which is how we found out about the beginning of Zac's incredible journey! Can't believe it's almost over, but so excited at the same time! To God be the Glory!!!
I'll be there on Thursday. Looks like Zac'll be there too. With Terry Matson! And Bill Mann! Plus Laurence & Marianne Sunderland!
Is there some sort of critical mass of cool that'll be dangerously exceeded on the dock?
All I'm saying is, if Zac's arrival goes critical, and everyone in Southern California is irradiated with grooviness, I'm not taking the blame...
Still praying Numbers 6:24-26
Mouse in Whittier
www.myspace.com/mouseonamotorcycle
Buy "Death and Coffee" here!
I hope we get one last very long entry from Zac before he makes land in MDR. Important to end off his last submission with his thoughts, feelings, ideas, memories etc.etc, while still on Intrepid and before signing off for good. :-(
It'll be logged here along with all the others forever.
Zac stops in San Diego to clear customs, eat chocolate cake and freshen up. Welcome home!
http://www.cbs8.com/global/story.asp?s=10719966
Wow! What am I going to do now? I'm going to need another interesting blog to follow. And I don't think anything will match Zac's incredible journey! Congratulations...Hopefully you will continue with your blog on land and keep us all posted.
Crystal in Lacey, WA
Zac you ROCK!!!! Welcome back to the good ole USA!!! WOOOHOOOO!
Praise to God as he has kept you safe and granted you wisdom and strength to accomplish such an amazing journey...Our God is an awesome God, he reigns in heaven above, with wisdom, power and love...our God is an awesome God!
Hugs, love, and great admiration.
Anita M. Miracle RDH
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV "Wombat"
Anyone feeling a bit sad for Intrepid. I know I am, keeping seeing her like a horse, a trusty steed that's carried Zac safely through thick and thin.
Do boats talk to each other like cars do? You know when you take your BMW near redline on the highway for an hour or so, and you return to a parking lot, you can hear the engine "tinkling". It's in fact talking to the car next to it. Usually telling it what a good run it just had.
Do boats do that?
Will Intrepid once tied up at MDR be asked by the boat next to it "whoa, you look terrible, where have you been?"
:-)
I hope big Mom gives little Mom a kiss on the bow for a job well done once she's safely tied up and Zac's hopped off.
I've been following long ever since the story aired on CNN. I'd also like to thank everyone who participated in the blog, myspace and youtube to keep us all up to date on the progress. I'll be watching from here on Thursday. Welcome home Zac!
Fair Winds, Calm Seas...
Jim W.
S/V Samara Lia - 1966 Pearson Vanguard 32' - Ft. Walton Beach, FL.
Great post!
Been a long time. Keep your harness tight!
SteveB
Birmmingham,AL
So awesome to hear you stopped in San Diego to get checked in with customs, get some rest, eat cake and meet up with family!! Wish more than anything to share the moment of your arrival home in MDR with the fellow Zac Pac crew but will be cheering (and crying with joy!) from Gloucester Va! All the best to you Zac, God has heard our prayers and carried you through your journey safely home!! You are awesome and I am so happy for you!!
Blessings
Terri
Just clicked on the Zac Cam Live and all is good in Bend, OR. Thanks to everyone involved in letting us view this over the internet.
Welcome Home Zac !!!!!
Kathy
Bend, OR
May I join all the rest of you with another WOOOOHOOOOO! Thanks everyone for your beautiful posts today. Thank you, because I am speechless.
Zac --- Welcome back to US Waters! Am so anxious for Thursday morning I can hardly stand it. I have a huge supply of tissues handy! :)
Is it just me, or can you actually "feel" the excitement right through our computers??
"See" you Thursday morning! YESSS!
Blessings always!
Marie
WA St.
Welcome Home! Sooo happy for you, your family and Team Sunderland. Will you still post occasionally so we can know how you and your book/DVD are doing? Best wishes for a fantastic party! CindyinCincy
Good Morning Zac and the Pack
It has been a great year for a youth to take on this most excellent adventure. I have enjoyed reading and looking forward to Jen's photographs. I am going to miss the regular updates on Zac's adventure.
God's speed on the final leg home and may you always have that spirit of adventure.
Mr Bob
be safe on the final leg. busy water around there- and chilly too compared to our Gulf of Mexico.
Group hugs for Intrepid!
Blessings,
Marie
WA St.
Hurray! I have been thinking and praying for your safe return Zac and family! You all have beenvery courageous thru this journey....seriously I cannot imagine letting my teen roam the waters of the sea for 1 day let alone 1 year! You all are AMAZING!
God Bless
Hello Zac! So very glad to see you are almost home! You have been an inspiration to youth and old alike, as you followed your dream. - But your family has been an inspiration also for their support and encouragement of you. A wonderful sight in this crazy mixed up world!
Thank God that He has indeed kept you safe. You have been 'prayed around the world' by many prayer warriors! Godbless for now and always Zac. Jessica Watson's granny.
@ Terry Mattson
'Hope to see you at the homecoming! I remember the discussion we had about how much to let people write on the boom, so that everyone would have room to write something. It will be interesting to see how much of it made it through wind, salt, rain, sea and sun. If most of it is still there, Zac should be in a commercial for Sanford Permanent Sharpies! Those are the pens I brought for signing the boom that evening.
By the way, Terry, I'm sure you meant to sign off with "your lovely wife," jodi. Knowing that the "v" is the same finger on the other hand as the "n," on the keyboard, you probably hit the wrong key. I hope she isn't really lonely!
'Can't wait to see OUR MAN return on Thursday, and to see Marianne, Laurence, all of the beautiful Sunderland children (who have probably changed much like Zac has), and many Zac Packers again!
It's getting to be so exciting!
Marilyn in Woodland Hills
Welcome back Zac!! Back to the U.S. of A!
Namaste~~
This evening one of our local news stations in San Diego reported Zac in Shelter Island today...must have been checking in with Immigration.
Not long now Zac!
I've really enjoyed reading your trip blog over the past year, and wish you the very best as you move on to the next phase in your life. Congratulations on a truly amazing voyage, and your parents are to be commended for their incredible support of this amazing adventure.
Sue - Newport Beach
way to go...i planned to meet you in the bay Tues. with what I am sure will be many friendly faces to escort you into home port, but I can't do it Thurs...my thoughts will be with you though...enjoy your last nights out on the water! Cheers!
Capt. Zac
What a year it's been!
Everyone else can wish you fair winds and calm seas but how much fun is that?
Your boat was designed to perform best at 25 knots of wind so I wish a spirited-breeze to skip "Intrepid" across the finish line!
Straight Wakes!
Mike S.
Well I'm glad you are back in the USA. It's always a great to know that being in the US and arriving back in MDR are too very far apart.
Enjoy the last few days of sailing and I'll see you Thursday morning.
Sail Home Zac,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Dear Zac,
I wish that I could come see you come in on Thursday. I am having another treatment on Wednesday though. I'm not looking forward to that. On Thursday I have to go to the hospital to see another specialist.
I'll be thinking about you and everyone cheering for you as you head in! Congratulations! You did it!
Celebrating Life!
Cheers!
Your buddy Parker
caringbridge.org/ca/parkerfritsch
Congratulations on arriving back in the states. It's been very interesting following your exploits, and I shall miss it. Good luck in your future. I was hoping to sail out to meet you off Long Beach, but the timeliness of your arrival isn't known. Take care. Lisa
Hey Zac. Even the news media is getting excited. Channel 4 in L.A. (NBC) did a story on their 11 p.m. newscast tonight about your arrival in San Diego. They also hyped Thursday. Enjoy the last few miles. See you in MDR.
Jeff
MDR via Santa Clarita
I can't believe it's been a year since I read about your leaving. You're back in the good ol' US of A!! Congratulations on an accomplishment a very few folks have done solo. I hope to be there Thursday morning to see you arrive and watch all the commotion. Just add me to your fabulous ZacPackers. Our prayers for a safe voyage were heard. Best wishes from a fellow sailor,
Dana
sv "Gldys Erzella"
Marianne, I hope your family is going out to meet him at one of the islands before he gets to MDR, as was done on his trip out. Otherwise, you're going to be competing with all those people and press for this very special moment that really should just be yours.
I am very relieved, I have been following your trip almost daily. I hope you keep on blogging after you arrive home! I am looking forward to the book/DVD.
Take care.
Zac,
What you're doing is truly amazing. I can't imagine some of the things you've experienced, especially the unimagineable silence. I come from large sailing family out of Port Huron, MI, but any of the sailing I've done seems like its been done on puddles compared to you.
I admire your courage and especially enjoyed the story about the blown forestay in the Indian Ocean. I'm amazed that you were able to rig it in such bad seas. Hopefully, you'll right a book about the things you saw and experienced one day.
Unbelieveable,
Eric Quinn.
Here's a link to a story of Zac's arrival/stop in San Diego from Associated Press:
http://www.10news.com/news/20043751/detail.html
Waiting for Thursday,
Dale in LA
We are so excited that you are almost back - sadly we no longer live in LA otherwise we would have been there to see you come in.
Our family have been following you from the start of your epic journey and you are inspirational to us in so many ways, along with your supportive family. Many, many, congratulations.......
Jane, John, Finn and Mathilde
Portland, Oregon
@Alan... I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! :)
Hang in there, Zac... Not long now! Would love to hear your thoughts as you close in on MDR. (How was the cake, by the way?)
Blessings!
Marie
WA St.
Hey Zac, Saw you on the news this morning. It seems you had some nice chocolate cake in San Diego. Way to go. I posted the link to the news story here. Hopefully see you Thursday. Trying to get the day off of work. Way to go !
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6911396
Chris Carnaghi
Alhambra, CA
Zac has done this terrific accomplishment himself; through his training, knowledge, strength, and determination. To give credit to a mythological person takes away from Zac -he did this himself, alone. Sure he is religious, and I am sure if I asked him, he will say his faith gave him strength. But this method of finding strength, through prayer, or meditation, is finding something HE had all along.
I give Zac 100% of the credit for HIS accomplishment.
Zac,
I can only imagine how you must feel at this point. The anticipation of ending your journey is exciting and yet most difficult.
As the old saying goes, "Enjoy the journey" and with the journey over, "letdown" will almost invariably ensue.
But you've got your FAMILY as your support unit. ENJOY THEM because they won't always be there in this way. So use this as a "journey" in itself.
Your ending this will also be a "letdown" to a lot of us who have blogged. It was something I looked forward to every day since I started blogging when I found out about you in ESPN Magazine.
We all LOVE you Zac. And as the Great Apostle Paul said, "Three things remain, faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love."....And God IS LOVE.
Looking forward to your return, I am, in highest regards,
George Cox
Wilmington, NC
www.xanga.com/ncstatefootball
Thanks Marianne and Laurence, for sharing your boy with all of us, and thank you for being the kind of parents to allow your kids to dream big.
Thanks TeamSunderland for everything you have done behind the scenes that many of us have no knowledge of.
Thanks Jen for the beautiful photos.
And,
Thanks Zac for sharing yourself and your adventure. May He continue to richly bless you, and may you always know the source of your strength. Thanks for enriching all of our lives. We are so thrilled for all you have accomplished!
May you walk with Him in wisdom and humility!
Gayle, Brian, Xan, Riley, Jesse
We will be hovering in the area on our boat, hopefully accompanied by a huge flotilla to welcome this remarkable young man home.
When my guest's asked how long we will be out there waiting I said "as long as it takes". I might have to drop them off as I am inspired enought o just keep on going:)
I hope everyone who has the ability to do so joins in the welcome parade for Zak
Zac,
Welcome Home!..to you and Intrepid!.....we are all tremendously proud of you...and thank God that you are (for the most part) home and safe with your loved ones.
@Jen, thanks also for all the photos...
Betty E. Lomita, CA
Hi Zac and Zacpackers,
@Marilyn: I think Terry did mean his 'lonely' wife. Because my husband has been pretty lonely this past year since I've been following Zac's great adventure. He will probably be lonely next year too, as Jessica Watson (who's Grandma posted on this blog!) is about to set sail on her own great adventure.
And Mike still has quite a trek till he gets 'home!'
Zac@ (Quote) "I don't know if I'll live to see this thing through..." Well Zac...What can I say...
Not bad....Not bad at all!
I hope you will continue the blog to let us know when you will be going to interviews (Oprah?...Today's show...etc...) and possibly book signings. But take some time for you and your family now!
Namaste~~
P.S. Ben has never been sailing? Well, Intrepid can't just set there getting rusty!
I'm hoping the webcam is just getting its final "tweak" for Thursday morning --- I am sitting here looking at the "Java circle" going 'round and 'round... :(
Thanks -
Marie
WA St.
I can't believe it's been over a year. I have been following Zac's adventure since before he left MDR.
I am proud of Zac and am impressed with his family. Stay true to yourself Zac. The hard part is just around the corner. Try not to get carried away with the fame that is sure to come. You are great just the way you are now.
@ Becky..that's so funny..my husband bought me a lap top for my birthday last June... i was spending most of my evening on our office pc on Zac's site...now with the lap top i can be with him while watching tv or while cooking dinner and so on.. just this last June for this birthday he bought me an internet phone so i didn't miss any Zac stuff when not at home or work...pretty cool hubby huh..he'll be with me on Thursday too:}
Laura
Zac & Team Zac-
Hope everyone from the bog got the latest, and that all of the out-of-towners have been keeping up on updates. RSVP'ers: Looks like Marianne has ample room for all those 40 plus people that responded to welcomehomezac@yahoo.com.
Time to Welcome Home the Hero of The Seven Seas....
Kodiak Mike
Zac
I would like to congratulate you on a job very well done. You have done something that not very many people will ever do. You have been to places not very many of us will ever go to. You have seen things that not very many of us will ever see. You have met people that not very many of us will ever meet, although I did know Eric Bjerring when he lived in Southern California. He raced Hobie cats as did I in the late 80's and early 90's. He was much better at then I was. I know that you may not hold the record for being the youngest to circumnavigate for very long and it may make you feel like this voyage was all for naught. Trust me when I tell you, when you get older, the record will become less meaningful as it will have been broken any number of times. What will be important to you is, you will be able to kick back and say to yourself "I sailed around the world by myself when I was only 17 years old."
I'm still wondering how you got the furling headstay with the sail unfurled back to and secured to the boat.The amount of damage that furling drum could have done to both you and the boat is unthinkable. Another job very well done
Jack Linn MDR
What an incredible accomplishment... Can't imagine some of the things you've experienced and scene. A true inspiration that you can do anything you set your mind to. Puts all my over night regattas on a Cal 25 to shame.
Congrats buddy.
P.S. Especially love the story about the blown forestay and the high seas in the indian ocean. Would love to hear that story from you sometime.
Be easy,
Eric E. Quinn
Baltimore, MD
eequinn18@gmail.com
Great job, Zac!
What a ride for all of us. Your adventure has been an insperation in these times of negative media. Thanks to you and your family for the great times.
Jeff
Huntington Beach, Ca
Almost there, Zac! :-)
Scott
Welcome home Zac!
I've been following your blog since the very beginning and am actually going to miss reading the blog about your incredible adventure.
Cheers!
Chad in Minnesota
@ Kodiak Mike...did i miss something?
Laura
The webcam works perfectly!
Thank you!
Minnesota Family
Zac, there are so many times since June of 2008 I have gotten chills reading your logs. This is yet again one of those times. You are about to feel something like never before. We are all so proud of you! You may have been in the boat but your whole family went around the world with you! You are an amazing man with an amazing family! May the good Lord guide you this last time safely into your home port. YOU ARE HOME!!
~ Barry
Webcam is back up. Just opening it brought tears to my eyes. I'm sorry that I can't be there in person. Know that I'm truly impressed and proud to have been apart of this journey. Zac-Packers you are an amazing diverse group of people.
God Bless you all,
Jennifer-SB,CA
Due to the California budget impasse, the meeting this morning at which I was supposed to be a witness has been postponed until Thursday morning at 11:15 in Commerce.
Consequently I will have to thank Gov. Schwartzenegger and the Lesgislature for having me miss Zac's homecoming.
Sorry Zac.
Bill Mann
Hey Zac in US!!!! Desi, his friend, Shay, & I are @ Disney & just went into the shop @ Downtown Disney..."Team Sport", dying to see how you were doing. The sign out front said ESPN!!! It might as well have said come in & find out about Zac, to us. Some employees had heard of you, some not...but they all have now!!!!!!!!! We pulled up your sight on their computer & everyone gathered around to hear the story, and see you! The pictures...before/after came up. Awesome!!! Now everyone @ "Team Disney" is on board. We're watching the cam, waiting, prayers in hand. You're heart is already home. It's just momments till you catch up with it. All our thoughts & prayers. You're life is already wonderful. I can only imagine what's coming. What's next. We can't wait. From the now 3 of us @ Disney...anxious...Mimi, Desi, & now Shay...
@Bill Mann - YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING! Total bummer! :(
You need blessings!
Marie
WA St.
@Bill Mann: That's awful. Can't Arnold get you a CHP escort there?
--Jack Mulkey
Congratulations been following your progress throughout your voyage, your an inspiration to all.
Tom
Shelter Island? I thought you'd be cruising around the back side of Catalina waiting for an slot at MDR!!
Shelter Island is a much better bet. Hot shower, a berthing slip. IN 'N OUT BURGER . . .
@ Bill Mann,
I'm so sorry you will not be able to attend. I was looking forward to seeing you with those scissors in hand. At least no one will call the Sheriffs office next door to come over and handle the Mann with the scissors. It won't be the same Thursday morning without you.
So Sorry,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
How do I get onto the webcam....when I click on the main page, only some of his sponsers come up. I'm panicking because I really want to watch it for Thursday morning....can anyone help me with that?!
Sincerely
Pam
Langley, Canada
Got it!!!!! Turns out to be operator technical difficulties! lol
Web cam is up and running on my end now!
Thank you
Pam
Langley,
Canada
@ Pam in BC
You shouldn't have to do anything except accept the java applet.
Just click on the following link and wait a while:
http://www.sailzac.com/
You should see the following:
http://i26.tinypic.com/2efixs5.jpg
Do you not see that?
I just tried the Zac cam and it still does not work for the last few days. I hope that it will be up and running for Zac's homecoming on Thursday.
Welcome back Zac! Congratulations for your amazing achievement! I have been tracking your adventure for one year. Not only you have touched many lives but inspired many too! I am already looking forward to your next adventure!
/Shri
Congrats Zac! I'm a sailor from Santa Cruz following your incredible journey for 10 months. Going to take a day of vacation and drive down to help welcome you back home.
See you Thursday!
Brian Cleary,
Santa Cruz
I was very pleased to see the AP story on Zac in the Fresno Bee today!
Glad you are almost home, and I'm sorry I won't be able to see you arrive in person. Like Bill Mann, I have a meeting scheduled for Thursday. Maybe we need a follow-up event, a presentation with some of your videos and you can tell us some stories. And let's not forget Mom and Dad, too!
Rose
@ Bill Mann...
So sorry to hear that you will not be there on Thursday. Was counting on seeing you chasing Zac around the dock! You have added so much to the Zacpac family over the past year. Thanks for your friendship. I know you must be disappointed in not making it to dockside.
Take care, Bob in OKC
The ZacCam is giving a "Invalid Bytecode" error message. Hope it works on Thursday for all of us counting on it.
Zac, Zac, Zac, Zac, Zac, Zac, Zac,
the chant has begun!!!
Welcome back to the United States of America, the land of the free, and the home of the brave. With all of her problems and issues right now, it's still the best country in the world! Zac, you give us old guys hope that the younger generation will rise to the occasion and the best days of this country are still ahead of us.
Standing and waving "Old Glory" for you as you pull Intrepid that amazing Islander that has carried you around the world, into port. Well done indeed young Captain!!
God Bless You, and God Bless America!
Bob in OKC
The web cam page errored out on me at first but I tried again and it worked. Looks like someone is manually operating the camera? It suddenly changed it's direction.
@Bill Mann... the far reaching effects of the California budget problem has now reach Zac, he's barely gotten to shore... bummer you can't be there....
Cheers,
A Zac Packer...
Thank you for your time and links anonymous! For some reason it was freezing in Java. I followed your link and it was working, so I went back and retried from the home page and it worked! Go figure! Have a great night~
Sincerely,
Pam
FYI..
I tried the webcam using Microsoft IE, not my preferred browser, and it worked just fine. So it may be browser sensitive. If you are having trouble you might switch to a different browser.
good luck everyone on getting it working...
Zac;
Major congratulations are due for this incredible accomplishment. My kids and followed your trip from the beginning, and though it might be too long to post here, it inspired the following which I posted on my own blog page, bitchandmoanoftheday.com
Congratulations and best to you in all you do in the future. You're an inspiration to adults and young adults alike.
The Bluesman
Achieving Goals
When dreams become real goals, reality overcomes the fantasy.
People dream of doing things, becoming someone of recognition and hoping one day to fulfill a dream. Many never realize the achievement, many make excuses for why it didn’t happen when years pass and they look back on all they might have done or could have achieved. They become resentful and feel cheated; as though life didn’t give them what they wanted.
In this world, anyone can achieve mostly anything they set their minds to doing. It’s a world of opportunity. Learning how to get where one wants to be is the key. Taking the steps to reach the final destination with patience and perseverance and not looking for instant gratification. Without giving the time necessary to learn or practice or prepare, true achievement can never be found.
To ride the Tour de France, one must put the miles in on a bicycle. To play an instrument, one must learn and practice. Theory behind anything is also key. Learning the why and how allows for the doing. Knowing which leg to keep up rounding a turn on a bicycle, knowing the notes which make-up a chord are the theory but getting on the bike and picking up the instrument are the first steps. The desire to learn and tenacity to continue to an end are also keys in reaching goals and fulfilling dreams. It’s the individuals who have the dreams and have the tenacity to turn the dreams into goals, regardless of the extent of the challenge and move forward to fulfill them. These are the role models for everyone else.
There is a young man from California who had a dream to be the youngest person to sail around the world on a solo trip. Think about it. Circumnavigate the world alone on a sailboat. A hefty task for anyone. Even the most experienced sailor. Yet this individual took his dream, made it a goal and turned it into a reality. He’s now on his last few miles of having reached his goal and will, 13 months later, return home barely 17 years old. An incredible feat.
Many people have never been on a boat and here’s a 17 year-old sailing around the world, by himself on a sailboat. The old-fashioned way, with wind for the major part of his propulsion. Following his trip on his own blog, he has met with weather, waves, presidents, dolphins and experiences most people will never have. The average person will never know the experiences he has lived.
Forget the kid-stars of the day who kids look-up to as role models. There is little to no real talent for what they do and put out to the world. It’s the marketing person who deserves the credit. Role models are people who have actually done something in life. They are the ones who persevered through adversity, through times of wanting to give-up but didn’t because they knew if they did, the only place to lay blame would be upon themselves; who faced the challenges head-on and persevered. These are the people who need to be role models for everyone else. These are the people others should look-up to and to their level of achievements is what everyone else should aspire.
The person of whom I’m speaking is a young man named Zac Sunderland. His entire trip can be found and read here. http://www.zacsunderland.com/blog/2009/07/ship-in-night.html
History has been made. We have not heard the last of this incredible young man or his trip.
The Bluesman
Zac,
I am sure all here in SoCal are very proud of your accomplishments. I am an ex-NAVY man and absoutely love the water. Congrats on your journey and I know the many places you have visited over this past year will truly be etched forever in your mind.
I hope to be able to meet you Thursday when you get home.
Scott Braden
TJBN Productions
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