It took until about March for the water to look a tiny bit appealing. One warm day (comparatively) and a little breeze, sitting on the shore. It happened again in April, once or twice. By May it occurred to me that if a boat had a little more space, and if it were in a quiet cove, I might like it. The fear wore off, with a good long rest. Being about done with the discomfort, not so much.
Two weeks ago, middle of June, the 2018 Race to Alaska started in Port Townsend, Washington. This year they had perfect weather for the initial crossing to Victoria, streamed for all the rest of us to see on Facebook live. “For THAT race,” I said, “it would be worth being uncomfortable.” Knowing full well the pounding they took in 2017, and the long calms, the year before that, has not seemed to interfere. This year, 80° for days, and a lot of rowing, peddling, and paddling. Eventually the wind came, and the temperature dropped. Seven women got to Ketchikan first, all the rest of us bursting with pride. I ordered some charts. Actually, I ordered them the day the boats all set out from Port Townsend.
It’s far-fetched, the possibility of Race to Alaska 2019 including an entry with my name. What’s nice to feel is that given the right motivation: Alaska, BC, mountains, fjords, true silence – even a drive across the country – something inside lights up. I’m happy on land. But the room that had gone dark, that is filled with sailboats, might have the kind of light that comes with dawn. Faint, in the east. With stars.
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On the plus side, as far as practical realities of the r2ak, there is that ever since the Race to Alaska was proposed about five years ago, its requirements have been a guiding theme in AUKLET’s development, and my own. Motorless – check. Human power (yuloh) – check. Navigation, current, big tide. Stores for weeks. Water (see rainwater collecting). Check, check, check. Heavy weather sailing – see junk rig. Check. Night sailing. Solitude. Check, check.
The work that was done in these past years has stayed, banked, even as I walked away. The boat capable of such a trip is right there in the boat shed. It dawned on me in the last few weeks that what changed, in my lessening enthusiasm over this last while, is that with so much familiarity, and so much practice, I was getting bored. Who would’ve thought! There was stress, and there was discomfort, but there was not the newness of the unfamiliar, and the delight at finding one’s way. And the all-absorbing challenge, to expand into such new territory, which goes so far to counterbalance the stress and the discomfort. But ALASKA! And British Columbia, which is the bulk of the Race to Alaska. Lots to not know, in that proposition. To study, and to see how it unfolds.
So maybe it’s not done. Applications for entering the 2019 R2AK open in September. In the meantime, though the front runners are all snug in Ketchikan now, the 2018 race is ongoing, particularly for those in small craft that are paddled or rowed. Soon the sweep boat – affectionately called the Grim Sweeper – will be making it a real race for those on the slow end of things. If I get in the race, I would expect to be somewhere in the middle, or having my own personal run with the Sweeper. But there is no shame in that. Being in the race would be by far the greatest victory. With bonus mountains. Whales. Sea otters. And me.
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For information on the Race to Alaska, see: https://r2ak.com/about/r2ak-explained/
Yay Shemaya, your premature retirement did bother me some, so it’s real good you’re back in action. Fear is there always and keeps us alive. Cramped conditions are a pain and they play with our heads. It seems that all the time we are wrestling with the perfect design. But a Goal, that’s the Golden Thread of life. I am doing it a bit tough getting back on track after an upset, I have full-time responsibilities for two fab teenagers, but privately it’s my sailing goal that keeps me energised, cool and sane. I do encourage you with all the power you have and some good fortune, too see your dream come through. Then, don’t forget to make another :)) I am so happy for you, I’ll have to follow you on the R2K 2019!
Hi Terry,
Thanks! I love that, “the Golden Thread of life.” So glad that sailing is sustaining you, as you do those other great things. A worthy goal is an amazing thing.
Cheers!
Shemaya
Yes! Shemaya! So very glad to read that “something inside” is lighting up! To be frank, your blog post in December left me feeling quite sad. I dwelled on it perhaps more than I should have, yet knowing how much you obviously love AUKLET and the seemingly considerable extent to which sailing and the art as you’ve practiced it contributes toward defining who you are as a person, I couldn’t help but feel that it shouldn’t end. (Okay, I’ll admit it: I’m an incurable romantic and optimist. I loath unhappy endings!) So…again, I’m thrilled to read that you’ve had a change of heart. I especially like—and can identify with—your conclusion from self analysis that the lessening of your enthusiasm was primarily due to boredom, a need for the “newness of the unfamiliar,” as you so eloquently phrase it. We all need challenges, actually a succession of challenges throughout our lives if we stand any hope of maintaining a freshness of spirit. Challenges which goad us into learning more, exploring the unknown, getting out of our comfort zones, and yes, occasionally pushing us toward a higher degree of risk than we’ve been accustomed to. Shemaya, this goal of yours is a long way from “far-fetched.” Daring, difficult, possibly dangerous (I’ve read the link!), but not far-fetched, and, as you write, the skills and mind-set you’ve developed over the years seem ideally in synch with the philosophy behind the R2K. I say, loudly, with admiration and affection: GO FOR IT!
Hey, thanks Joe. “A succession of challenges” does just do the trick! I of course am rooting for you and your Badger. If this story here contributes, all will be well :-)
Thanks again, for all your kind thoughts. And encouragement!
Shemaya
I’ll second Terry and Lauren, both! Adventure racing is definitely not my cup of tea (nor forte!), but I look forward to following your effort, if you decide to go for it.Keep us up-to-date!
Hi Jeff! We’ll see what happens… I’ve never done adventure racing, but for some reason the idea always appeals. The Texas 200, and the Everglades Challenge, are hugely intriguing but way too hot. Alaska/BC solves that problem nicely ;-)
If AUKLET heads to Alaska, I’ll definitely keep everybody posted!
II am urgently seeking information re my sister-in-law, Shirley Carter, and her boat Speedwell of Hong Kong to aid in efforts to establish her whereabouts in the Pacific Ocean. She left Panama on the 5th May to sail to the Gambier Islands in French Polynesia. She was due there over a month ago and we have heard nothing. Is there any information that you could give me regarding the boat registration, any radio call sign, yacht club affiliation etc or any other relevant information that could aid the authorities.
I would be very grateful to get a quick reply
Dear Guy,
Annie Hill, who is a good friend of Shirley’s, has also been worried, and we have been in touch for a little while in hopes that things are okay. Annie may very well have some of this information that you are looking for, and I will pass this on to her right away. I’m leaving your comment posted, rather than switching over to e-mail, in hopes that anybody who might see this and have any information will be in touch.
Sending many prayers,
Shemaya
Thank you so much
Guy
Annie here. Because Shirley is deaf, she doesn’t carry radio comms. I know that at one time she had an EPIRB (an emergency locator beacon), so I would imagine that she still does. Another friend has told me that she has been ‘posted’ as overdue, which implies that some authorities somewhere are aware. I have written to the Gendarmerie in the Gambier Islands and have also contacted Tourism Tahiti, but have had no reply from either.
I think she actually set off on or around 10th May – she went to Islas Perlas for a few days.
‘Speedwell’ is small and not particularly fast; the Gulf of Panama is notorious for its light conditions and Shirley probably only had enough fuel to motor for 100 miles or so. If she was sailing very slowly, the boat may have started to get gooseneck barnacles growing, which would slow her down, even once she was in the trade.winds. It is possible that she is still struggling to get somewhere – anywhere! She had provisioned for 60 days, and being the sort of competent sailor that she is, as soon as she realised it was all taking longer than expected, she would have started being very careful in her consumption. All her friends are concerned, but we still have hopes of hearing from her any day now.
Speedwell is a bright yellow boat, with a bright yellow junk sail – you couldn’t miss her. She is 25ft long and quite unmistakable. I think that information would be of the most use to any authorities
I’m sorry I can’t give you any more information. We are all haunting our email inboxes in the hope of hearing from her.
Annie Hill
Annie, thank you so much for all of this. Here’s hoping that she did indeed take an EPIRB. I’ve taken the liberty of making a separate post about looking for Speedwell, and also putting it out to Facebook groups. That last has a very, very wide reach. Here’s hoping that we will hear good news really soon. Fingers crossed! Toes too :-)
thank you for everyone’s efforts … they are very much appreciated. Knowing Shirley, Wendy and I are still in a positive state of mind whilst being anxious about her well being. Please keep us informed if you receive any other information.
Great news!! We’ve just heard from her son Pete that Shirley arrived yesterday in Mangareva in the Gambier Islands. Another boat passed on the news. No further details are available yet … I’m sure it will make for an interesting story. And a particular heartfelt thanks to you Shemaya for taking on the project of widening the circle of concern. One feels so helpless at times and it was really comforting to see how you were reaching out to so many people. Thanks to Annie too and everyone else that helped spread the word.
Guy, this is so wonderful. I’m so very glad. You are very welcome, about the reaching out. I was so glad to be in a position to be able to do it – Facebook so often seems like a ridiculous indulgence. Not this week! I’m so glad that you wrote to me here, as well as for my conversations with Annie – sometimes electronics does such good things. And best of all, hooray for the most wonderful news!