I am having a fantastic time and my life is full of adventures. I feel like a bird that lifts its feathers to the wind, not knowing how far it will fly or when it will touch the ground. Sometimes sailing is very difficult. Sometimes being on a shore that is strange to me is difficlult. Nothing that I have seen is what I expected to see. I am living in a strange world. It is good because it is simple. I have very few clothes - that makes washing them easier. I have very little money, and I don't need it. No television, I rarely listen to the radio. My focus has changed to an accute awareness of the boat and the environment. I use all my senses to understand my world. I know all the sounds; the sails, the wind, the sea - a small change in any sound lets me know if everything is going well - or not.
I am happy that I am learning. People are the most interesting creatures. It seems like the birds and whales and dolphins are smarter. They don't destroy things, and they take only what they need.
Crossing the ocean was ominous. It was very cold, very foggy and wet. For the first ten days we had light wind. I remember thinking that I was in control of the boat; I was in control of the seas. Then we had a sever change in the weather. The sky turned black, and seas also turned black. Each day the wind became stronger. The waves got higher and higher until they were higher than the top of the masts. We fought and fought. It seemed like the more we fought against the storm, the more it tossed us around like we were a cork. Finally it was too danegrous to be outside; the waves were hitting with such force that they were tearing things off the deck. After one large wave smashed my head into the wheel, and swept a crew member into the front of the boat, we tied the wheel to one side and closed ourselves in the cabin to wait helplessly. It was apparent that we were not in control. We were able to make repairs and continue to Irland after the storm finally passed. I had a concussion, and two gashes on my eye and nose. Karin chipped a bone in her knee. I have a very deep respect for the sea, both for its power and its tranquility.
We are in the mediterranean now. About two weeks ago Slim and I got to swim with whales. At first they were very shy, and then they became very curious. I was afraid at times that they might slap me with their tails by accident. I felt a real communion with these animals. Dolphins are also wonderful animals. The same dolphin would visit us every day on the way accross the ocean. Sometimes when I was cold or tired or feeling like it was difficult to go on, they would spring out of the water and smile and speak. We all got along quite well.