I know, I know. I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to get this last post up. Life has become more complex upon arriving home and I'm having a difficult time forming a routine. As a result, I forget to do things. But here I am, finally writing the Gulf trip post. Hopefully I can recall it in all its glory.
Day 1 (March 30th) was a good day. The seas and wind were favorable but the horion was hazy, and the sun was firey orange and cast a strange light over the gray sky. That day my dad voiced his concern that the last crossing would be less than pleasant.
On Day 3 (April 1st) I wrote about the weak wind we were fighting and the urgency felt because of the approaching front. We needed to pick up speed if we were going to beat it in. We spent a great part of our days during that crossing anxiously watching our speed drop and pick up then drop again. One minute we would be doing close the 7 knots. The next we'd be back in the mid 4s. For a long time we rode the emotional roller coaster of thinking we might possibly make it and then losing hope and bracing ourselves for the gale force winds that would inevitably hit us. By Day 4 our chances were about 50/50.
I made this Macrame anklet on Day 3 with some practice thread. I thought it looked pretty cool when I finished so I gave it to my mom.
On Day 5 (April 3rd) we came to the conclusion that we were fighting a current because the wind was howling and we should have been going about 7 knots, but we were averaging 5.5. This was also the day we stopped praying that we'd make it in before the front and started praying that the front would fizzle out.
More birds that landed on our boat and then broke my heart by dying. :(
On Day 6 (April 4th) I wrote in my journal, "The wind is howling, the seas are breaking, and the Esperanza is pitching. We've reached 7.5 knots today and are averaging 6.5. We should be in Lydia Ann Channel in the wee hours of the morning. We'll have to anchor up and then [dock] sometime tomorrow (Tues) because the front is going to hit tonight and make it impossible for us to dock."
At one point our autopilot was acting weird so my dad had us steer to save the autopilot for the night. I was steering with my feet because I'm cool like that. :P
That was my last entry of the Gulf trip. Later that afternoon we were hit by what we thought was the front. One moment the sky was hazy but still blue. The next we were heading right for a big, black, ominous-looking wall. What all lay within that wall was uncertain at the time. But one thing we were sure of was the soon-to-hit gale force winds.
I took that opportunity to grab my camcorder and film the contrast between the clear sky and the big scary monster in front of us. Seconds later we found ourselves engulfed in the mouth of that monster. There was no gradual increase of wind speed. Instead, we were suddenly and all at once slammed by winds stronger than any I'd ever encountered outside the shelter of a sturdy house. After a few moments my dad calmly suggested we go down below in case the top was ripped off the cockpit. We did as he suggested and listened from inside the cabin to the hissing and howling of the wind and the walls of water smack against Esperanza's sides.
At one point my dad said it was alright for us to come out briefly and take some video. Of course, I did this knowing there was no way I'd be able to do justice to the power of this front in just telling the story. By this time the boat was really bouncing around. With every other wave the bow would fly high into the sky and then come crashing down. This would usually result in a huge wave crashing over the deck and my hatch. I hated to see that because I knew I still had a couple leaks in it. Every couple of minutes the "windshield" of the cockpit would take a few buckets of spray. The wind continued to howl and threaten to do damage. Some things out on the deck that were exposed to the elements were lost overboard.
Soon, though, the wind let up and we all breathed a sigh of relief. The Esperanza took the blow well and the autopilot held on. But the seas were still rough, and little did we know we weren't yet done with gale force winds.
I went to bed early that night but never really fell asleep. In an instant we were being pitched, rolled and tossed around again by the high seas and gale force winds. It was as if we'd been hit by a second front. But this was the front. It lasted much longer than a few minutes. My whole night was spent in prayer as my dad and 18-year-old brother, John hand steered the boat through the weather. Very unfortunately, our autopilot went out in the middle of it all causing my very sleep deprived dad to have to steer it himself. Thankfully, John is excellent at the helm and did a great job keeping the boat on course so my dad could get rest here and there. As much as I'd like to say I'm as good as he is, I know I'm not. So props to you, Johnny.
In the v-berth I slid back from one side of the bed to another as the boat rolled and listened to the harsh sound of walls of water slamming against the starboard (right) side. The sound struck fear and respect into my heart. It sounded more like a brick wall than water. Don't ever underestimate the power of nature. That trip really did give me a whole new respect for the elements.
My dad says that night was the longest night of his life. No doubt it was. In the morning the sun was shining and the air was crisp and cool. But my dad's appearance was evidence of a hard battle the night before. I don't even know how many injuries he acquired. The Esperanza held up remarkably well aside from the her blown out mainsail. I can honestly say those were the scariest sea conditions I've ever experienced. I actually got a little nervous and I never get scared out there. :P All praise goes to God for our safety. He was definitely with us that night as He always is.
Since the front passed before we got in we were able to go ahead and dock. We made it in around noon, were checked back into the country by around 4pm, and soon after, I enjoyed my first long, luxurious shower in 5 months.
We're home!
And Tiger Lily? At first she ran away from us when we approached her! We thought she was mad at us. But I think she just didn't recognize us. Once she got a good look at us she walked up to us and let us hold her. :)
It's good to be home. Sometimes, I miss my life in Panama. When things get hectic and I realize how much work goes into modern American living, I really wish I was back in Panama. But then I remember all the amazing people I have here in Texas. I do hope to go back down to Panama and visit some other countries in Latin America, but I don't think I could live there all the time.
Well, this concludes the sailing blog posts. I am sad to say goodbye. This definitely won't be the last travel post I write but it most likely will be the last cruising post I write. My dad has decided he's ready to close that chapter in his life. He has the Esperanza on the market and is hoping to move the family into a house very soon. It does make me sad but if it's what he wants then it's what I want.
As for me, I'm 21-years-old and about to be out on my own, living my own life. Like I said, I'm definitely not done traveling. I haven't had nearly enough of it. Cruising, on the other hand isn't for me. It's a beautiful, exciting, and romantic idea but it's not the most enjoyable mode of transportation. I've done it 3 times and 3 times is enough. I think I'm ready for some air travel now. Life will never be the same for me, and I wouldn't want it to be. The Lord has spoken to me in ways that I can't ignore and called me to follow Him whole-heartedly. I'm not entirely sure where He's leading me but I'm starting to have an idea.
I hope y'all have enjoyed this account of our Panama adventures. I've enjoyed writing it. Even though, our internet situation down there made it less than easy to blog. hehe
Stay tuned for more updates to come! I know I've been horrible about posting but I promise I'll try to be better. :)
Love,
Sarah with an "h"
