Surprise, surprise...

Guess what? We're rockin' and rolling still. Last night we only made a few hours progress, and are now past Westdahl. Today the clouds look particularly ugly, and the waves are coming at us from the northish, giving us a nice roll. I was wondering if I could fall asleep last night,, since I was nearly being tossed from my bunk pretty often. I did, though More than once last night I had to latch on to the bulkhead or side of the bunk.

Once again, in order to allow us to be fed, the Skipper is going to find a bay to anchor in. The weather outlook still bleak. Also, yesterday, Cyrus came in after having talked to his sister. Apparently New Orleans is still suffering big-time after the dikes broke.What is really going on out there??? 'cause it sounds like people are even dying at the superdome. Where's the gov't? And here I am, away from absolutely everything and any & all news...

Finally, some sightseeing

Ah. During the calm, I got a shower in. Later, after dinner, I hung out with Cyrus and the Skipper on the bridge. We saw Shishaldin (1), Isnotski(2), and several whales(later posts). I happened to spot the first ones - Killer whale. Soon after, we could see much larger blows from other whales.



Shishaldin












Isanotski

Running from the wind

We're taking a slightly different route, north of Sanak island. This provides us some shelter and keeps us from traversing the waves along beam. 

still rocking and rolling

lunch? who wants lunch?

Stealth CPR

Last night was a good sleep. I woke up about 2:30, and went up to the bridge to hang out a bit with Jerry. He was just getting ready for a course adjustment. A radio station was still coming in, and playing 80's retro music (I vaguely remember "My Sharona" coming over the radio.

This morning I awoke to someone doing chest compressions. The ship is in heavily rolling seas now, and I find my breaths are regulated by our speed. Up = exhale, down = inhale. exhale, inhale, exhale, down, up... by 7:30 I had to get out of bed.

It's wet outside.

aah...

It's been mostly smooth sailing for a while now. Dinner was fantastic - a pot roast... mmm.. almost makes up for the (well-intentioned) gustatorial abuse received during a trip to the Russian backcountry. This evening's sunset was unremarkable, but it was nice to hang out at the stern of the boat sharing a beer and stories with Cyrus and Anthony.

Ohio, or is it o-hai-o?

One of the real highlights to my year was a trip to Japan.

I created four little vignettes out of the cornucopia of photos that I took. Of course, one vignette is a tribute to Godzilla, which was one of my must-see's while in Japan.

Find them *here* in my travels page...

Tossed salad

Ok. We're being tossed around every bit as much as we were yesterday. THe seas still look alot nicer, but nonetheless I'm pretty much being tossed out of my seat. I still need to make satellite calls, but I'm not about to stand out where there's a clear sky view. It's soaking out there with the waves crashing over around, and through the boat. Though the sun is out -- nice effect. :)

I just demolished some chicken-ceasar type salad; thinking to myself the entire time how strange it might look from the outside to see someone holding on to their plate for dear life, and still able to eat.

Rough seas continue.

Bouncing around again. Cyrus and I spent some quality time staring off the aft of the boat, checking out Chikinagak volcano as we wander on past. The cooks got a chicken Caesar ready for us... though I'm not ready for lunch, quite yet. Downed another pill in anticipation of the rough seas.. So far, so good!

Right now, we're leaning pretty far one way and the other. My laptop is pretty happy on its spot, but I'm nearly thrown out of my seat. Cyrus has a sat-phone that is available for use, and I'm going to use it to call Katie now & then... but more importantly Steve. I don't have his number on me, though. It's on my phone, which is dead. I'm beginning to wonder how many signs I'm going to get that tell me that I shouldn't go to Ecuador. Too many more, and I just might listen -- Naaah.

The space I'm typing in is tiny, an alcove right next to the major intersection on the boat. To my right is a stairway that leads up to the cabin, another stairway that is covered with a hatch that leads down to the engine room, and a curtained door that leads to the forecastle ("foaksul").

a renewed view

Just hanging around, chilling in the galley, showing off photos to Cyrus and chatting with Jerry as he occasionally pops up from the engine room. The sailing has become a bit smoother as we tuck into a cove near Chiginagak.

Breakfast is slowly being prepared, as the boat shifts from being tossed about to just enjoying a minor roll.

Yesterday's Dramamine did wonders, as does a little sunlight and sleep.

After the last post, we went up on the helipad and untied all the huts. They had been trying to make a break for the open ocean so our captain pulled into a beautiful (both in aesthetics and in ripple-tude) cove where we proceded to retie them down. I think they're pretty darn secure now. Slept like a log last night. I suppose I tucked in about 9pm, and woke up this morning at 8. We were in rougher seas again, but nothing like before. The wind was probably blasting at 45.