Clearing Cape Mendocino
Yesterday I woke up 18M west of Cape Mendocino with a 5-knot NNW breeze and bouncy yet relatively calm seas. I covered 13.4M overnight rowing with 2-hour naps then 45-minute naps before the conditions allowed me to retire at 4am. I am a solid 80M from Crescent City. This is one major hurdle cleared on my journey, having timed the weather window well then worked long hours leading up to my launch and since to earn it.
I cannot thank enough those who got me this far. As I say often: I may be by myself on this rowboat but I am not alone. I am simply the pointy business end of a javelin thrust forward by many hands.
I have Nancy who chose to walk this time on Earth with me. Around-n-Over board members Bill Hinsley and Ronnie Henderson have endured this saga for over a decade. Dr. Dan Carlin at World Clinic has once again offered me their remote medical services. While our partners at Successful Daily Habits aim to inspire others with my story, Ocean Recovery Alliance based in Hong Kong has become my education partner, assembling relevant content both in English and in Chinese.
Nikolai Maximenko at University of Hawaii will help with currents in the western Pacific and South China Sea while I will attempt to provide ground truthing with in situ observations for their remote sensing tools. My sailing friend Jason Christensen who helped me configure and test my redundant communication tools, also educated me on what weather patterns to expect on this crossing. They will work together to improve my safety and my odds of success.
NOAA scientist Dr Jay Barlow will use the sound data that I will gather until at least the Mariana Islands to document firstly the range of Beaked Whales. This data will be archived and made public for other researchers to identify their species of interest. It was Dr. Barlow’s participation that earned this historic mainland to mainland row a Flag Expedition designation from The Explorers Club. I now carry the storied flag #97 for them. Adding to those stories, we will return the flag after my landfall along with an official report documenting the scientific findings and articles to be published, until the next worthy expedition picks it up.
Classrooms will hear my voice by satellite phone both in North America and at rural boarding schools in Turkey. That facilitators think my story inspiring and worthy to bring into classrooms, affirms by educational mission at Around-n-Over and that I am on the right track.
This list can be extended and I will fall short. From Aaron Goodge who offered me full access shop space in Tacoma, to my mountaineer buddy, Paul Papenhause who handled fiberglass work, to Brian Johnson who carved time to redo the entire electrical system with significant improvements and Kris Henderson who poured his art and knowledge into building me a new retractable rudder on short notice, many hands touched my historic rowboat to make her better and more seaworthy than she ever was.
Nothing moves without logistical help. My sailing friend Süheyl Sökmen loaned me his truck for three months to move my rowboat around. Marc Di Tommaso hosted me in Medford on Saturday night and Rory MacDonald received us in Crescent City while I made my rowboat to shipshape in his garage.
And I want to also acknowledge our loyal supporters who have been with us since the very beginning. Peter Ackroyd and Michael Williamson have not hesitated to donate to our cause making it possible for me to untie from this rock called North America.
My tiny yellow oasis on this big blue ocean is filled to the brim with gratitude.
Erden