Ruby Slippers

Jim and 3 crew members are on their way home!  They left Honolulu on Tuesday of this week.  There are two young men on board; Michael, who is 16, and Zach who is maybe 20.  They are inexperienced but enthusiastic.  Jerry Reilly is also on board; he is a Jeanneau owner and is very experienced.  It will be great  for Jim to have so much help!

As of today, Thursday, Jim has reported that Michael and Zach have been pretty seasick.  The passage has been a rough one so far.  They are heading straight north, to get to the Pacific High, then they will turn east.  Michael has been out in the cockpit since they started, strapped in for safety.  He kept a cracker down today, which is a big step forward.  Zach was able to keep some oatmeal down.  I know how they feel, and I’m sure in just a couple of days they are going to feel like the ravenous young men they used to be before they left Honolulu.

Dave, who was on board from Vanuatu to Honolulu, took some great pictures during his trip.  There are some posted in the Media Gallery.  I hope I have labeled them correctly - I was kind of faking it!  Hope you enjoy them, and I will keep you posted on the boys’ progress.  We should be planning a big welcome home party, I think!  ~  Jeanna

About 1200 miles from home, with 750 miles worth of fuel in her tanks!  They are in very light air right now, although they have reported a few days of great sailing, with the spinnaker flying proudly out in front.  I guess they are in a pretty wide band of high pressure, but they need to find at least a couple more days of wind in order to make it home.

The crew seems to be getting better day by day, although one of Jim’s recent reports says, “I am not sure if Michael has a problem with the French boat, or just a comment on France in general, but he tossed his French toast in the ocean shortly after consuming it for breakfast yesterday. I took it personally last night when he threw up just before dinner was served.”

Zach and Jerry have been helping in the galley, and Michael has been doing night watches, so it sounds like things are looking up.  They are wagering among themselves as to when they will arrive at Neah Bay.  Jim thinks they will get to Anacortes on August 8th; we’ll see.

Molly, Jessie and I are moving to our home in Arlington this coming weekend.  It has been so much fun being in Enumclaw with my family, but we really must start thinking about school and getting back to our “real” life.  The sun is shining here, and the mountain is out.  Jim said he woke up to rain and cold temperatures this morning, and had to dig out a jacket and long pants.  I hope he gets home in time to enjoy some of the summer!

You can send Jim and the crew a note of encouragement at jim@rubyslippers49.com.  Thanks!  ~  Jeanna 

Here’s what Jim said in his latest e-mail:

Monday, August 04, 2008, 46.58 north 135.39 west, Wind 5 knots out of thesouthwest, speed 6.5 knots. Course 72 degrees true. water temp. 61F, 450miles to Cape Flattery, 534 miles to Anacortes.

He has high hopes for a spinnaker run into the sound.  The winds have calmed down, they are able to air the boat out a bit, and everyone’s appetite is back.  All great news.  He said his “Time To Go” meter reports that he will be in Anacortes at 5:00 pm Thursday evening. 

I know his crew will be kissing the ground the minute they get off the boat.  I’m not sure they bargained for all this going to weather busienss.  “You get what you get, and don’t throw a fit,” as I tell our girls. 

Molly and Jessie and I are moved back into our Arlington home, sort of.  The big furniture is there, but the whole 40-foot container of stuff is still sitting in Anacortes.  I don’t even miss it.  I hope the simplicity of the last couple of years will stay with us.  It’s been great to catch up with friends and family, but everyone seems so busy and a bit stressed.  When I have too much noise, traffic and demands put on me, I find myself going to a peaceful atoll in the South Pacific, where the only sound is waves lapping against the hull of Ruby Slippers…

500 miles, counting down.  We’ll keep you posted!  ~  Jeanna

Jim and the crew will arrive in Ancortes today about 1 or 1:30!  Yay! 16 days, Honolulu to Anacortes.  Jim seemed very excited on the phone, and says his crew has lips puckered, ready to kiss the ground the minute they arrive.  They have been in fog for the last few days - couldn’t even see the Neah Bay lighthouse till they were right next to it. 

Poor Michael has been sick practically the whole time. He’s had a good day here and there, caught some tuna, and even got to see dolphins, so I hope that is what he remembers when this is all over.  At least he knows enough about his equilibrium not to join the navy. Zach has been doing great, as has Jerry.  Jim sounds very skinny, so we’ll have to do some major fattening up when he gets home.

Ruby Slippers will be displayed in the Seattle Boats Afloat show in September.  We hope to get a chance to see some of you there!  I’m sure Jim will want to write a “debriefing” update when he gets rested up.

We’ll stay in touch!  ~  Jeanna