Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 29 - ARRIVAL!!!

John and crew have finally arrived in Antigua.  They arrived early this morning.  They are waiting on the customs office to open so they can clear in.  Alan Thilo has already been greeted by his wife Elisabeth.  Todd Sumner is flying out with John tomorrow to San Juan and from there I'm not sure.  As for the rest of the crew, I'm not sure of their plans.  However, I do know one thing.  They are all thrilled to have crossed the Atlantic and to finally be on their way home!  And I am thrilled to have my husband home tomorrow.  

Thanks to all who followed this Blog. 

Tadji  

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 27 (3 days left)

If you read my post two days ago, Day 25, and saw that I wrote "4 days left" and are thinking that I completely lack math skills, think again.  Seems like John won't be getting home now until Sunday.  Quetzal and crew were, at about 12:00 today, 230 miles from Jolly Harbor.  John says that they will probably arrive in port sometime late Friday, in the middle of the night...or should I say early Saturday morning.  That's too late for Quetzal and crew to clear customs, have the boat docked in her slip, and for John to make it to the airport in time for his flight.  And there just was nothing else, unless I want to spend an arm and a leg for another airline ticket.  As much as I love and miss John, we all know the state of the economy won't allow me to do this.  Especially now!  Tis the season to be be frugal and save all our pennies so we can spend it all on the kids x-mas presents, right?  Anyway, they will be in port sometime Saturday morning and John will be home Sunday early evening.  It's a good thing I'm a teacher and my winter break starts next week so I don't have to go to work on Monday.    By the way, the wind has picked-up a little and they are sailing at about 6 knots.

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 26

Did I say "a day or two won't make much of a difference"?  Well, I take it back.  Things aren't looking so great.  Seems like they haven't had much wind and are about 150 miles behind schedule.  That's a day worth of sailing!  They are still about 316 miles out...of Antigua that is.  They've had no wind for two days and are sailing at about 5 knots right now.  If only the wind would pick up.  Quetzal can easily sail 170 miles on a good day.  At this point I don't even know if this would help.  If they get in after the customs office closes on Friday then John won't make his flight home on Saturday.  They'll have to wait for the customs office to open on Saturday at 09:00.   Wait a minute....does it even open on Saturdays????  It must...it has to!!!  I'm not even going to think about this now.  I will call the marina first thing tomorrow and see how late the customs office is open on Friday.  John is supposed to give me an update tomorrow morning and we'll decide then if we need to change his flight itinerary.  For some reasons the SPOTS have not been coming through even though Harry has been sending them every day.  I did remember to get their Lat/Long.  As of 21:20 EST, Quetzal's location was 18˚ 00' N, 50˚ 22' W.  

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 25 (4 days left)

Well I haven't received any SPOTS.  However I did speak with John last night and he said they were 500 miles from Antigua.  I forgot to get their Lat/Long because I was too excited when he told me I should go ahead and book his flight.  They are expected to arrive in Antigua on Friday...not quite sure of the time frame.  They are still not getting much wind.  This is very disheartening for John because he says it's the one place you can always rely on the winds...Tradewinds that is.  Do I need to mention this is even more disheartening to me?  I mean, where are the Tradewinds when you need them?  Anyway, I'm excited of finally knowing exactly when he'll be home.  I'll be picking him up at the airport on Saturday with all four kids.  They are all very excited at the prospect of seeing him.  I'm sure that the family/loved ones of all the crew will be just as excited to see them as well.  

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 23

Seems like I wasn't the only one who was a little "under the weather".  Quetzal and crew were "under the weather" as well.  They ran into some strong sqaulls.  Fortunately, they are now clear of the bad weather.   However, things have calmed down a little too much.  So much so, that they all decided to go for a swim in he middle of the Atlantic Ocean with depths of 16,000 feet.  

Their location as of 08:34 EST was 19.0643, -48.3425 .  This put them at about 770 miles due east of English Harbor, Antigua.  Unfortunately, they are drifting at a mere 5 knots.  OK...it's not exactly drifting.  Nevertheless, at that speed all my hopes of an arrival on the 17th have been dashed.  If things don't improve, the possibility of an arrival on the 18th may be slim as well.  

OK..enough with the pessimism.  A day or two won't make much of a difference...all that matters is that they are safe.

By the way, I am feeling much better.  Thanks for the well wishes. :-)

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 21 (midnight)

SPOT came through and I was thrilled to see it.  At 10:12 EST John and crew are positioned at 19.7556, -43.2238.  Since I am sick as a dog and can barely keep my eyes open, I will sign-off now. 

Ciao 

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 20 (midnight)

Just spoke with John.  All is good aboard Quetzal.  They are still making good progress, although they have slowed down a bit...averaging about 7 knots.  SPOT still isn't coming through but I do have a Lat/Long to post.  As of 00:25 on Dec. 12th, their location was 19˚50' N, 42˚03'W.  He says that they will most likely arrive in Antigua on the 18th.  

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 19

These days it looks like John may be easier to find that I am.  I'm sorry for those of you who have been waiting for an update.  Between being quite busy and going into a funk with missing John so much....well...anyway...on with the Blogging.  I haven't been getting the SPOTs for the past few days.  John says he is sending them but for some reason, they are not coming through.  However, I am quite happy that his phone calls are still coming through.  ('Knock on wood' for me..Everyone please!!!)   He did give me his Lat/Long yesterday via that Sat phone....but I misplaced it.  Luckily, he called again tonight ( I guess he's missing me as well) and gave me their position.  They are currently at 20˚ 14' N, 38˚ 54' W.  They had a half-way party tonight for being halfway between Lanzarote of the Canary Islands and Antigua (although they passes the halfway point yesterday).  They are still making great time!  Still keeping my fingers crossed for an arrival on the 17th...which is a week from today.

Cheers to everyone and thanks for your patience!

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 16

We have heard from John again.  Actually, I did receive both a call and a SPOT yesterday as well.  He said that they've slowed down a bit, but are still sailing smoothly...covering 150 miles a day instead of the 180 miles a day they had been averaging.  He also said they were between 1/4 and a 1/3 of the way across.  Anyway, his SPOT as of 08:29 this morning was 22.3266, -28.8471 .   Oh, he also did mention that the crew was working hard on learning celestial navigation.

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 14

No SPOT or call today.  :-(

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 13

I really do intend to write a new post every day...sometimes the days just get too hectic.  Yesterday I had to help my son, Nick, finish-up his Science Fair Project.  Title:  Where in the world am I?  Celestial Navigation vs. GPS.  Like I know anything about Celestial Navigation!  He was on his own for this one.  I was just the editor and creative director.

Anyway, I don't want to bore you with my details.  On to the crossing.  Where in the world is John today?  I received a SPOT this morning from John.  Quetzal's  location at 08:31 EST was 25.0304, -21.0623.  I spoke with John last night and he said that they were having great sailing.  I hope it continues.  Here is a picture of John (courtesy of Rick Thompson) as they were sailing to Almeria, Spain.  Thanks Rick!!!

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 11

Just a brief update.  I spoke with John earlier tonight.  I didn't get their location, but he did mention that they were sailing downwind and making good speed...averaging between 6 - 8 knots.  

Tadji

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 11

John and crew are finally en route to cross the Atlantic to Antigua.   They left yesterday, December 1st around 10:30 ish EST.  They had a pleasant stop in Lanzarote, Canary Islands...although John said it was a little too touristy for him.  However, he did say it was an ideal stop with all the amenities to finalize things for the crossing since this was their last stop until Antigua.  

I did receive a SPOT this morning at 10:15 EST.  Quetzal was 'SPOTTED' at 27.3786, -16.1084. Didn't look like they had gone that far when I looked at it on Google Maps.  But, what do I know?  I just know it's a big ocean and I hope he gets across and gets home soon!  He said he hopes to arrive around the 17th, 18th, or 19th...I'm hoping for the 17th.  I know last time (2004) he crossed west bound from Tenerife, Canary Islands to Trinidad (I think it was Trinidad), the passage took 17 days.   I will keep my fingers crossed!

Let's all wish John and crew 'Fair Winds".

Tadji

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 9

John and crew are on land.  They've arrived at Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.  Guess what?  We even have a SPOT and I just discovered that you can click on Google Satellite and it will actually show you a satellite picture of the slip in the marina that Quetzal is in.  I think you have to subscribe to Google Earth to get a live image.  But anyway, try it out.   It's very cool!    28.8576, -13.8146  Technology is so amazing!

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 8

No...I haven't forgotten about the BLOG.   I've just been very busy with family and holiday stuff.  I have received SPots from John.  His latest was sent earlier today at 08:26 EST (I guess now that it's past midnight, it was actually yesterday...Saturday...that I received the SPOT).  Anyway, Quetzal's location was 30.299, -12.3746.  John and crew are due to arrive early Sunday (Spain time) in the Canary Islands.  They have decide to go to the island of Lanzarote instead of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.  They will be at Marina Rubicon located at 28˚ 51.5, 13˚ 49.0.  You can check out the marina at www.marinarubicon.com .  It seems like a nice place.  I love marinas, especially the part where you get to have a hot shower! (unless you're in Croatia).  

Well goodnight folks!  And as my son Nick likes to say..."Goodnight John Boy"

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 6

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.   Well, I received a SPOT and a phone call all in one day.  Quetzal and crew are sailing happily towards the Canary Islands.  They are still about 400 miles from there.  According to the SPOT, their exact location at 06:58 EST was 33.7586, -9.4105 .  According to John, they were celebrating Thanksgiving aboard Quetzal.  John was in the midst of preparing dinner when he took a break to call me.  However turkey was not on the menu, instead they would be feasting on a leg of jamon Serrano (Serrano ham).   Yummy!!!!  John always comes home to tell me how many compliments he received from his crew on his cooking and how much everyone loves his cooking.  I kinda grin and remind him that "they're in the middle of the ocean....everything always taste better at sea".  LOL    All kidding aside, John is a very good cook and does a lot of the cooking here at home as well.

Anyway, I hope everyone is having a very Happy Thanksgiving...regardless of what you're eating.

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 5

Unfortunately, I haven't received a SPOT for today.  I just thought I'd touch base and let you all know as much.  If I do happen to get a SPOT or a phone call, then I will post all relevant information.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow! 

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 4

Sorry I skipped out on Day 3.  Let's back track then a day.  John and crew had an unplanned stop in Gibraltar.  They came upon a gail with winds up to 49 mph going through the Straits of Gibraltar.  They stayed the night and headed out early in the (their) morning.  I did receive a SPOT this morning.  Their location as of 11:00 EST was 35.7896, -5.9483.  Looks like they they have come through the Straits and are headed to Tenerife, Canary Islands.  John will be very happy to be out of the Med.  Whoever heard of such a thing?  I'll take the Med any day...in a quaint little cafe sipping on a latte.  :-)  I can understand his frustration with the Med sailing...he's been beating against the wind since he left Grado, Italy.  Anyway, he'll soon be picking up the tradewinds.  

By the way, let's get one thing straight.  I'm not the sailor here so don't fault me if I don't get all the terminology correct.  However if I don get something wrong, let me know so I don't keep it up.  

Grazie...Gracias

Tadji

Trans-Atlantic Passage - Day 2

John and crew set sail on the Trans-Atlantic passage yesterday around 17:30 Spain time (11:30 EST).  I have received the first SPOT.  John's location as of  07:34 was 36.267, -4.2973.  If you are just joining this Blog, all you need to do is copy and paste the Lat/Long coordinates into Google Maps and it will show you his exact location on a map.  I will also update with any other information I get from John when I speak with him.  

Let's wish John and crew fair winds and a safe passage!

Tadji

Where have I been?

In my excitement of John reaching land, I completely forgot to update the Blog.  Well, he has finally arrived in Almerimar (near Almeria), Spain.  He arrived on Wednesday and is due to set sail again on Saturday.  John will be sailing from Almerimar, passing through the Straits of Gibraltar, and then he'll head to the Canary Islands for a brief stop.  After that, he will sail straight across the Atlantic to Antigua.  He is joined by Mark Scott, Harry & Velinda Gibbs, Todd Sumner, James Mills, & Alan Thilo.    

Tadji 

Latest update on John...

I spoke with John earlier this evening.  He is due to arrive in Almerimar, Spain on Wednesday 11/19 in the early afternoon...given that all goes well.  He and Rick Thompson dropped-off Dennis & Susan Carlyle in Sardinia a few days ago.  Luckily they've had better luck with the sailing...the winds behind them as opposed to beating against the winds which they've done most of this trip.  

John and Rick's location as of 20:00 EST was 37.23, 00.38

Finally...a new SPOT from John!

Just received this SPOT about 30 minutes ago...6:15 a.m. EST.  You can find John at 37.7928, 2.068.  He's due to arrive Almerimar on Wednesday morning.

Ciao

Tracking down John....continued

Heard from John yesterday.  He called from Palermo, Sicily....a place I would love to visit someday.  He said everyone sounds like Don Corleone...you know, from The Godfather.  Anyway, finally received another SPOT this morning.  His location as of 7:50 a.m. EST are 38.9235, 10.9012.  Remember, all you need to do is copy and paste his Lat/Long into Google Maps and it will show you exactly where he is.  

Stay tuned in...Tracking down John

Please stay tuned in for more updates on John's location.

I will continue to post John's locations each time he sends me a SPOT update, given that he remembers to do so

Tadji

Tracking down John

John is currently sailing to Gibraltar where he will begin his umpteenth Trans-Atlantic.  He is aboard his 47' cutter rig Quetzal.  John sends me his location using his SPOT Satellite Tracker.  

His last SPOT put him at 37.9044,15.8783 If you copy and paste this Lat/Long location into Google Maps, it will show you his location.