First "underway" update- by guest blogger

The Captain (Kevin)and Crew (Katie) of the SV Pahto have graciously invited me, Liz Burck (Katie’s Mom) to contribute as a guest blogger to the “Escapades of the Pahto” blog site.  My pleasure. (As long as I can write about their experiences vicariously from my dry, inert couch with a cup of hot coffee in my hand, I’m in!)

As you know, the Pahto, with two souls aboard, sailed from Napier, New Zealand on Monday, November 14 (U.S.).  They hoisted sail on a beautiful afternoon and headed east at about 40 degrees south latitude. 

They had spent the prior few weeks in Napier preparing the boat.  They repaired and/or replaced instruments, tested and retested equipment, and gave her a fresh coat of both paint and varnish. Fresh water and food items were the two packing priorities – and filled every available nook and cranny. The laptop computer had been downloaded with 416 movies and books (give or take!!).  The Captain and Crew got in one final hot shower and, with that, the Pahto- and her crew- were ready for the next sailing adventure!

They said good-bye to the friends they knew- and those they had met while there- from the dock.  But another friend (an older gentleman sailor) jumped into his sailboat and escorted them out to sea.  What a great way to start the trip!

But, within 24 hours, they encountered weather that was less than ideal.  Staying below deck afforded them dry quarters- but no relief from the rolling seas. I am sure that Kevin hardly noticed; but Katie admitted to getting sick those first few days.  Movie watching helped pass the time.  By the time we talked to them- she had acclimated and Kevin still hadn’t noticed.  HA!

We got our first SAT phone call from them on Friday evening, Nov. 18 (U.S.).  I was in the atrium of a large building when I heard my phone ring, glanced at the caller ID window (thinking it was Tom) and realized it was coming in from the Pahto!  I may have vocalized a bit loudly (OK, I screamed like a million-dollar lottery winner) ran outside the building and jumped up and down while I talked to my daughter.  I was actually talking to her on my cell phone from a crowded sidewalk in Virginia while she was 326 miles out in the Pacific Ocean on a small sailboat!  How techno-terrific is THAT!??!!?!?   Sounded like she was just down the street!

We talked again last night (Sunday in U.S.).  Weather had improved enough that they could see the sun.  Katie was even top-side when she called, instead of hanging out of the hatch to get direct line-of-sight to the communications satellite!  The forecast still calls for winds and rain….but not to worry- they still have a few more movies to watch, books to read- and plenty of potatoes and onions to eat!

So, bottom line update- weather could be better, but considering…. all is well.  They are just excited to be out there interacting with the world on a level and from a perspective that few others ever experience.  Kevin is in his niche!

Before I walk the long 33' to my kitchen to refill my coffee cup, Tom and I, along with Kevin’s parents, Dave and Jeannie, wanted to say thank you for sending your love, your “good luck” messages, and your “be safe/have fun” thoughts to the kids. K and K also asked me to say a special thank-you to all of you who sent personal emails to them before they left-they read every one of them!  And to once again repeat the big heart-felt “thank you” to the people in Australia and New Zealand who opened their homes and offered their help and support to them.  (Their parents (us) extend that same huge thanks!  They always talked about how nice everyone was while they were there……)

Catch you at another lat/long coordinate……..