Underway Again (Plus Northwest Passage Video)
September 1, 2019
Days at Sea: 273
Days Since Departure: 337
Noon Position: 68 48N 114 43W
Course(t)/Speed(kts): N 4
Wind(t/tws): NW 10+
Sea(t/ft): NW 3 – 4
Sky/10ths Cover: Overcast, some light snow. 10.
Bar(mb): 1022+
On-deck Temp(f): 38
Cabin Temp(f): 64
Water Temp(f): 39
Relative Humidity(%): 33
Magnetic Variation: 16.9
Sail: Under power; main 1 reef
Miles since departure: 34,688
Winds are finally diminishing, but out in Dolphin and Union the short, stocky sea is still pushing Mo around. Not going to be fast for a while yet.
I remember the point during the 2014 Northwest Passage when I’d had enough, enough engine racket, enough of being stuck in a cabin that was either too cold or too hot, enough of the what-if-we-dont-make-it-then-what worry. That point was three days after Tuk on the 1000 mile run over the top of Alaska to Nome.
Jump forward to now, a few hours out of Bernard Harbor. Tuk is still 420 miles in front of us, and I’m already at that point. I chafe at the confined waterways and headwinds, the unbearably flat land. Though I’m thrilled that Big Red is doing well, I tire of depending on him. I tire of the noise and the boredom that comes with days and days of motoring. I tire of the constant feeling of exposure and vulnerability; the knowledge that the risks I’m running here are large, the consequences real.
To quote Vonnegut, “So it goes.”
There is a line that’s popular with sailboat cruisers today: “We will do this as long as it’s fun.” It’s why I’m not a cruiser. Fun is a terrible organizing principle.
Many days on Mo are quite dull, a few are downright terrifying, most are made up of chores and the unexciting routine of shipboard life. When all those days are strung together and viewed as a complete voyage–a voyage that one envisioned, prepared for and pursued, largely on ones own–then they become a thing of deep satisfaction. But the fun had along the way is hardly worth noting.
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Here is the second video put together at Bernard Harbor. Sailing through ice and fog. One of the strangest days yet.
Fun? – interesting. I don’t think I would call what you have done as pleasurable which in other words would be ‘fun’. There has to be an element of pleasure in what I do and whatever sailing I pursue although, as you have stated, much of sailing is tiresome, boring and hard work. I think every voyage, or completion of a voyage has to have an element of pleasure/fun to be worthwhile. I am sure you have experienced a great deal of pleasure/fun in getting to where you are. Maybe fun is just overall a bad word to choose when describing an experience. I leave you with Spongebob’s definition of Fun –
F- is for friends who do stuff together!
U- is for you and me!
N- is for anywhere and anytime at all down here in the deep blue sea!
Have fur Randall
Looks like you’ll have following winds for a while which should be fun once you clear the ice.
What a great relief that as you make your way through this last ice pinch point, it magically opened up today (9/3/19). We’ll take that as an omen.
I think sailing is like a sport, when you are a superstar at the sport, it’s not the physical game, it’s the mental game that can defeat you. Coaches don’t just talk about plays they talk about not losing your focus, being tough…the mental game. You must not let your mind trick you, you are a superstar, you can do this, physically if you have to but it would be nice if the mind goes along. Is MonTay sending telepathic negative thoughts? Tell him his name is Monte again and to shut up. Fight back, you need your strength.
I was enlightened by US soldiers that there are three types of fun: Type 1 Fun which is fun while it’s happening; Type 2 Fun which is fun only when you think back on it; and Type 3 Fun which is neither. One internet pundit distinguishes thusly: “…anything that offers an overriding sense of doom and despair are clear indications you’re having a Type 2 experience. While Type 1 is marked with celebratory beers, Type 2 often leaves you feeling like you need a drink!… Type 3 isn’t actually fun at all. Fun doesn’t surface when it’s happening and doesn’t appear later during reflection.” (http://goeast.ems.com/three-types-of-fun/)
Three types of fun: “Type 1 fun is most simply described as fun every step of the way…Type 2 is a strange beast, because it isn’t actually fun at the moment. In fact, it feels much like suffering. It’s only after the event, and in reflection, that you come to realize you actually had fun. Anything that offers an overriding sense of doom and despair are clear indications you’re having a Type 2 experience. While Type 1 is marked with celebratory beers, Type 2 often leaves you feeling like you need a drink! …Type 3 isn’t actually fun at all. Fun doesn’t surface when it’s happening and doesn’t appear later during reflection.” From goeast dot ems dot com.
Great hat.
I have always said ocean sailing is 70% boring, 27% magic and 3% terror
Completely agree it is not so much about the “fun” but the deep satisfaction that comes from completing the journey, be around the world or just across the bay. Of course, the depth of the satisfaction is largely dependent on the obstacles overcome in the process.
Love the hat!
There is lots of great advice in the comments above. But, truthfully, I never thought that you did this for “fun” or even “enjoyment”. From my perspective, you made a goal and decided to give whatever it takes to meet that goal. For you, your dream is not unreachable. Nor for the many people who are following your movement across the globe day by day. Now, your goal is including all of us. We are with you, if only via the internet.
With that said, please know, Randall, that there are many who are appealing to God Almighty on your behalf. Many may discount this, but only you will know those times when only He could have interceded on your behalf. Just know that there are those who pray for you daily. May God go with you.
Your tracker seems to be in Braille mode, is there a way we can join up the dots to see which way you are actually going. Are you trying to find a way through ice?
Your brilliant writing puts a smile on my face and we have a great deal of fun following your adventures, hope that helps. And relief to see you progressing past the icy bits now.