July 31, 2008 Day 20

 

Black Feathers
7:00 p.m. position
Lat/Long: 22.44 N 158.13 W
Distance to Finish: 76 miles 12 hour mileage: 57 miles
Course: 250 true
Speed: 5.6 knots
This MAY be my last communiqué to you until AFTER Robert arrives...I'll try to send you something tomorrow, but won't promise. BUT he is 76 miles out and it appears he will be in Hanalei in the wee hours of the morning. Carroll E finished today an hour earlier than anticipated. It appears Robert may finish an hour later than anticipated last night. I believe with his handicap that still secures second place in his division. Fingers are crossed. NO one in the entire fleet beat the first place holder in his division. Wild Flower is going to take first overall corrected! Hooray for Skip.
The albatross is still onboard with Robert. The bird hasn't eaten anything in the 21 hours it's been in residence, but it seems quite content...it's snoozing and preening. He flew to it's perch at the bow of the boat apparently in a healthy manner and is just enjoying the ride to Hanalei. What a kick!
I'm on my way to Tree. Winston and Sarah will arrive soon and all's well with the Black Feathers bunch.
Hugs and more hugs to you all. It's been a great ride and you have kept me focused on things other than my special man being out in the middle of the ocean. Thank you.

 

Black Feathers
7:00 a.m.
Lat/Long: 23:04 N 157.15 W 12 hour mileage: 65
Distance to finish: 133 miles
Course: 250 degrees true
Speed: 5.2 knots
7/31/08
This time tomorrow morning, instead of writing to you, I should be standing in the dark (it's 4:30 a.m. here) near the Hanalei pier watching for Robert to be brought in on the Zodiac from his boat.
He is most excited to be so close.
He has an onboard passenger, not the disqualifying type, but an albatross (large bird). These birds nest in the yards of Princeville in December and it is a great honor to have one select your residence as theirs. Signs are put up to alert folks so they don't disturb them. When we were here last December, we counted 12 of them within 6 blocks of us. When Robert and his sister, Kay, lived in Kauai in 1995, they had the honor of having one in their yard. They lay their eggs, then after a time the parents leave and the young bird flies off the cliff and out to sea for I believe it's a couple of years (Kay, can you correct me here). So this one must have seen a good resting opportunity and took it. It has been on the bow of Black Feathers facing into the wind for over 9 hours. The bird and Robert observed a ship together just before the equipment alerted Robert of the ship's presence. Even the piercing alarm of the CARD didn't scare the albatross
away. It's still there preening and taking in the view. Robert said at one point his hand was within a foot of the bird...doesn't seem to mind the presence of a humanoid.
Last night at TREE, I heard someone say "Crawford". When I turned around I saw two new faces, Deb and Greg DuBree, who are friends of our friend, Pam, from Mi Wuk. Pam had given me and them each other's information and I was planning on calling them last night, but they decided to come down to the Tree festivities. They stayed for a couple of hours and had a grand time meeting all the skippers and they plan to come back to meet Robert on Friday...that's TOMORROW!!! Deb and Greg moved to Kauai 10 days ago from Turlock, CA.
Robert was disappointed he was only going to get to attend one TREE, but it turns out a number of the skippers and their families will be here through the 9th AND I was informed...there will be a TREE every night at 5:00 until everyone leaves.
Sparky is now due in Monday a.m. so he will get to have TREE time also...plus his girlfriend is flying in his brother and his parents as a surprise...and we are working up something to celebrate his achievement since he won't be here in time for the Awards Banquet on Saturday.
At this point, it appears Robert is going to take second in his division on corrected time. First to finish in his division is Wildflower who is going to be, as Robert predicted, First Overall. Robert is elated.
Thank you all for your support, love and attention.
I will send out the evening report and then sometime tomorrow I will let you know he has come in, but not at the regular time of course.

July 30, 2008 Day 19

Black Feathers
7:00 p.m.
Lat/Long: 23.24 N 156.07 W 12 hour distance: 64 miles
Distance to Finish: 198 mi
Course (true): 250 degrees
Speed: 5.8 knots

Robert is closing the distance! Less than 200 miles to go. He is aiming for 6:00 a.m. Hawaiian time (9:00 a.m. PDT) to arrive in Kauai. Synthia, the Race Committee Chair, has him arriving at 3:00 a.m. Kauai time. Either way works just fine!
He was elated to learn Sparky is making good progress with his new and improved makeshift mast.
Today I had lunch with the lady I've been working with at the Princeville Resort. She presented me with a lovely Christina lei AND she gave me a burgundy cigar lei to present to Robert when he arrives.
The "official" TransPac lei (lei is plural as well as singular I learned) are from a Hula School here in Kauai. We purchased them in support of their fund raising project.
Robert is READY to come ashore. Everything is laid out ready for the Race Committee and the Zodiac escort boat. He's NOT anxious ....MUCH!!! Can't wait to see him.
There will be two more "normal" position reports, and in the second one I will tell you when he is expected. The final position report letting you know he's here MAY be a bit late in coming. Bear with me...we will fill in the blanks.

 

 

Let's try this again. The DSL in this apartment isn't quite as reliable as some...perhaps it's on vacation and relaxing in Kauai!!!!
Black Feathers
0700
Lat/Long: 23.51 N 1255.04 W
Distance to Finish: 262 12 hour mileage: 63 miles
Course (true): 250 degrees
Speed: 5.0
Date 7/30/08
Steady as she goes. Robert is making good progress. He says he thinks he will arrive at noon on Friday. The race committee says 3:00 a.m. Not sure if he is thinking Hawaii time or PDT. Guess I'd better ask him. Either way we are prepared to see his smiling face.
Good news: Ruben Gabrial on Sparky has improved his makeshift (jury) mast and he is now making 80 knots per day. At that rate, the race committee says he could arrive Monday before they depart for home. He's a happy camper.
I get Robert's 0700 reports about 3:45 a.m. in Hawaii, and I'm not very much awake at that time, so please expect your reports to come in later in the morning. I did attempt to send it to you a couple of hours ago, but the DSL was being lazy

July 29, 2008 Day 18

Black Feathers
7:00 p.m.
Lat/Long: 24.10 N 153.58 W
Distance to Finish: 325 miles 12 hour mileage: 66 mi
Course: 25 true
Speed: 5.5 knots
Date: 7/29/08

Sorry I have had a busy couple of days, but we are pretty much settled in so I have lots to tell you.
Most all of the larger boats have finished. Wenlemir and skipper are back home in San Francisco, safe and sound. Barbara Euser/Islander has not been heard from in about a week, BUT there isn't as much concern as one would think BECAUSE she did this four years ago...no communication, she just kept until she finished. She did report into a ship the last time the Race Committee heard from her stating she was fine, no communication and her lat/long indicated she was sitting far north of the other in a high...which nmeans no wind. WE hope to see her this coming week. She ahs not set off her EPIRB to notify the Coast Guard so it is assumed all is well.
Our friend, Ruben/Sparky was dismasted on the 27th. He had twin jibs up and decided to put up a reefed main to get more speed. A gust of wind caught him and that was all it took to break his mast. He spent several hours getting his rigging, etc. fished out of the sea. He has a makeshift mast up now but is not making good time. He hopes to finish by August 12th. Robert and I will be here to greet him and celebrate his finish. The Race Committee departs on August 3.
Tonight was the first "tree" I was able to attend. All the "in" skippers were there with their families and friends. Lots of good munchies and great conversation. Everyone is "watching" Robert and Black Feathers.
Tom Kirschbaum's wife (boat: Feral) came up to me at the TREE and said she was really enjoying following Robert on the "dedicated" website. I couldn't figure out how she found the website...McKelvey's Travels. She said she went online and entered "Black Feathers" and somehow she got connected. My goodness, little Ms. Black Feathers is becoming quite the celebrity.
After Tree, Sylvia (Race Committee/Finish Line) asked me to come keep her company on the bluff while NaNa came in. It was really exciting. The skipper, Dwight Odom, called in and said he was 45 minutes out. It was dark, but in about 30 minutes, I saw his lights as he headed into the bay. We watched him, Sylvia took night photos and monitored his finish and then the escort boat went out and Synthia boarded with his wife and he got his lei and beverage of choice and then they let him turn on his engine and come in the rest of the way. You may recall NaNa is the boat that restarted the race due to battery issues. He restarted twice! Third times a charm.
Ankle Biter should be coming in tonight...and then we'll see our small fellas start making their appearances. Six of them are in a cluster...with Sparky unfortunately quite a ways out by himself. Several boats are in touch with him, but he has to conserve his power so "limited" is best for now.
One last bit of news. Robert has decided is NOT going to sail Black Feathers home. Once he arrives we will decide what our options are to get her home.

 

Black Feathers
7:00 a.m.
Lat/Long: 24.37 N 152.52 W
Distance to Finish: 391 miles
Course: 250 true
Speed: 5.2 knows
Date 7/29/08
Robert is fine, just eager to arrive in Kauai.
Thanks Sarah for taking the position report last night.
I'll write more...have to go stock the condo with food.

July 28, 2008 Day 17

Black Feathers
7:00 a.m.
Lat/Long: 24.37 N 152.52 W
Distance to Finish: 391 miles
Course: 250 true
Speed: 5.2 knows
Date 7/29/08

Robert is fine, just eager to arrive in Kauai.
Thanks Sarah for taking the position report last night.
I'll write more...have to go stock the condo with food.

July 27, 2008 Day 16

Robert's son, Winston, is creating a TransPac commemorative book for Robert.
If you go to Winston's site, you can sign the guest book and Winston will incorporate all the comments he receives into the book.
Here is the direct link.
http://www.crawfordkin.com/CrawfordKin/TransPac/Entries/2008/7/27_Sign_The_Guest_Book.html

 

 

Black Feathers
7:00 p.m.
Lat/Long: 25.47 N 149.34 W
Distance to Finish: 583 miles 12 hour mileage: 64
Course: 250 degrees true
Speed: 5.4 knots
Date: 7/27/08

Robert had a great day. He took down his main sail and put up twin jibs and poles. Boat is moving along very smoothly and he's had to make no adjustments. He's hoping he can sail this format all the way to Kauai.

 

Black Feathers
7:00 a.m.
Lat/Long: 26.09 N 148.27 W
Distance to finish: 647 miles 12 hour mileage: 69 miles
Course: 250 degrees true
Speed: 5.6 knots
Date: 7/27/08

Robert has a bit more wind/speed than he'd like. It appears he will have 20 mph, instead of his preferred 15 mph for the next couple of days at least. He's fine, it just keeps him on his toes a bit more. Solar panel and new "old" rudder are doing fine.

July 26, 2008 Day 15

Black Feathers
7:00 p.m.
Lat/Long: 26.34 N 147.16 W
Distance to Finish: 716 miles 12 hour mileage: 64 miles
Course (true): 250 degrees
Speed: 5.5 knots
Date: 7/26/08
A photo of Robert and Black Feathers appears today in the Electronic Latitude 38...check it out at:
http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2008-07-25&dayid=145
He had a good day today...weather was nice, partially sunny. His solar panel is shattered, but still charging. Should it get wet, it may cease to work, but it appears he has plenty of stored power to handle lights, communications, etc. He's in good shape.
Wen Lin of Wenlemir is expected home tomorrow. He is tired but safe.Sorry...last night's 7:00 p.m. Distance to Finish: 846 miles...12 hour mileage: 62 miles

 

Black Feathers
7:00 a.m.
Lat/Long: 27.2 N 146.12 W
Distance to Finish: 780 12 hour mileage: 66
Course: 255 degrees true
Speed: 5.5 knots
Date: 7/26/08
Robert is doing great. This trip he has had little sun...only partially sunny days. He's hoping for sunny days closer to Kauai. In June when he did the LongPac (qualifier for this race...200 miles out to sea from San Francisco and back...5 days) he and all the skippers reported some of the most beautiful blue waters and sailing they had ever seen, and lots of sea critters...not so this trip.
A little on the arrival tradition. As you know all the boat engines are sealed when they leave San Francisco. Hanalei Bay does not have docking accommodations so as the skippers approach the bay, no matter what time day or night, they radio in to the Race Committee what time they expect to cross the finish line. An escort boat, with a Race Committee member (and perhaps a family member) onboard, will go out to meet the incoming boat. The RC member presents the incoming skipper with a lei and his/her beverage of choice. The engine seal is confirmed to still be intact, and the escort boat brings them all ashore. The escort boat is a rubber boat so it can come up on the beach.
Saturday, August 2...is the awards ceremony and banquet at the Princeville Resort (the finish line)...so everyone is hoping to be finished by that time.