Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
“Absolutely wonderful, you wouldn't believe how nice it is out here today, absolutely per-
fect sailing conditions; the boat is going beautifully now with a clean hull; all systems are
working great. How are you doing?”
“Oh, OK I guess. I am working on Felicia, busy sanding and varnishing the wood work.
There is a ton of work here, and so far Felicity is very pleased with my work.”
“Well, that's great. I can see Lanai and Molokai from here, just grey blobs on the horizon
but quite lekker actually.”
“Gaanders! Well, maybe in a while I will get bored here and fly over to Lanai. I found out
you can barge cars inter-island for about a hundred bucks, so if it is worthwhile I will do
that.”
“Great idea. Have you seen Liz or any of the scumbuggsies?”
“I saw Liz; she came over to see what I was doing. She's good friends with Felicity.”
“Gaatst!” I said in mock jealousy.
“Well, I had better get back to work. I will try to call you later. I don't know how far I will
be able to pick you up though, I'll try around eight or nine tomorrow,” he said.
“OK, but if I don't reply ,you will know I am out of range. Bye now.”
“Roger, bye for now, over and out.”
I got my portable bearing compass and took bearings from Molokai, Lanai, and Oahu,
which was now also just a grey blob behind me. I was able to get a pretty accurate fix of
where I was in relation to these islands; I confirmed my position more accurately from the
radio beacon in Lanai as well as the one in Honolulu. I was about midway between Lanai
and Oahu. I would be sailing all night and by mid-to-late afternoon the next day would
make Lanai, according to my deduced reckoning.
I was sitting in the sun daydreaming, when I saw a bubble in our wake that looked out of
place. I stared at it, and suddenly realized it was a glass ball floating along in the currents.
I had to have it. I stood up and put the helm over, coming about and keeping my eye on
my trophy. I sailed a loop around it and fetched up into the wind, coming up alongside the
ball that clinked on the side of the boat. I lay down on deck and leaned down as far as I
could and just managed to grab it and feed it up along the hull with my hand; I had it! The
underside was covered in barnacles and slime, but I soon scrubbed it clean. It sits on my
mantle today in a special place of honor, a reminder of that special trip.
The receding afternoon brought an increase in wind, and we picked up enough speed to
where I felt I might catch a fish. I went to the lazarette locker and pulled out the handheld
