LIFE AT SEA: Groundhog Day or The Shining? (Sailing Across The Pacific)
Welcome to life at sea, where the vast time and views are uninterrupted. We’re nearing the final stretch of our journey and the itch is starting.
Spirits are high as our spinnaker weather returns and all seems well adjusted. Until day twenty. We’re about 455 hours in and just over 2,866 nautical miles sailed, when all the sudden, we go from Bill Murray to Jack Nicholson.
Now, I don’t know about you but going from Groundhog Day to The Shining took me by surprise. I couldn’t wrap my head around the comparison of our life at sea to The Shining (then again, this is the same man that tried to compare sailing across an ocean to walking on the moon). I thought, “oh great, now I’m out to sea with Kubrick, this is going great?”.
If it wasn’t for the fact he’s such a snuggle bunny, I might have been concerned about that comparison. Or, maybe he thinks I am the Jack Nicholson in this scenario? Now that is an interesting question, which one of us would loose our marbles first?
With a slight are-you-out-of-your-mind voice, I requested an explanation.
His response, “It’s the isolation. Groundhog Day was normal life with lots of people, The Shining was at an isolated Hotel. Feels more similar.”
Hmmm…I’m still not with you.
Romantic Drama vs Physiological Horror, I guess somethings (or should I say people) just aren’t meant to be understood. Sail on Kubrick. Just don’t go spouting redrum while I am sleeping.
How About That New Camera!
We’ve been slowly working out good spots on the boat to put action cams. Which is trickier than you might imagine. With sails and lines being the primary accessories, there are very few “safe” (or unobstructed) spots for cameras. Since it’s just the two of us, most of the time, it’s nice to have a couple of sturdy cameras to capture the action when it happens. Plus, as you have seen, tripods don’t always work so well on a boat. Everyone keeps having mini heart attacks thinking we’ve capsized…when it’s just an un-manned camera taking a plunge.
Go Pro and Sony mostly rule the market when it comes to quality action cams but this Virb is proving to be a solid choice! The quality is much better than we expected and all the built in data is just ridiculously cool. There are settings for boats, planes, cycling, boarding, mountain biking and pretty much any sport there is. We’re pretty stoked about it and hope you like the extra data too. It feels way more interesting to see the data in the actual scene instead of listening to us drone on about knots, angles and sea state.
If you want one for yourself…
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/2wX8HCq
- B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/2MaGnBq
Captured this image from new action cam…not bad!
Bumfuzzle
Jason mentioned Bumfuzzle, which is a book about a couple taking off to sail around the world with no experience. Sound familiar? You can snag a copy for free here: https://amzn.to/2Nt1ovQ We started following the blog Bumfuzzle around 9 years ago (shesh time files) and quickly picked up their book when it launched. We loved the honesty, adventure and humor. Over the years the Bums (Pat and Ali) have become friends and are still a great source of inspiration for us.
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Gear Used In This Video
- In The Galley – Click on the Kitchen Faves tab for all my faves: gonewiththewynns.com/store
- Working Out – Everything we have for staying fit while sailing: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/product/exercise-staying-fit
- Entertainment at Sea – Kindle: http://amzn.to/2mpGQ9K Audiobooks and podcasts are The Best on passage. Currently listening to Lost City of Z which has us wanting to go back to South America and the Amazon!
- Camera Gear – All Our Camera/Computer Gear is Listed Here: gonewiththewynns.com/camera-gear-review-2017
- Sailing Specific Gear
- Quatix 5 Watches: gonewiththewynns.com/product/quatix-5-marine-watch
- Chartplotter: Garmin 7612xsv Multi-touch
- Tracking & Texting: Garmin InReach: gonewiththewynns.com/product/inreach-satellite-communication-and-tracking
- iPad Mount at Helm: http://amzn.to/2fT84PG Using iPad Pro: http://amzn.to/2d9Oopf
- With These Sailing/Navigation/Weather Apps:
- iNavx: http://bit.ly/2vGgC51
- Active Captain: http://bit.ly/active_captain
- Texting, Email & Weather: Iridium Go and Predict Wind: bit.ly/PredictWindIridium
- With These Sailing/Navigation/Weather Apps:
Sailing Report
We use our Garmin InReach to track our sail and send updates to family & Patreons. We take a screen capture every day at 5:30pm, because that marks another 24hrs logged for our sail across the Pacific. It’s a fun way to follow along in real time and hear what’s happening on board. This video covers May 10 – 13, 2018. Here is the screen capture from May 13th. The little dots share real-time trip info and the little message pop-up is us writing to the people following along from home.
norman
re-watched video 11/7/19. It would seem to me that although it may be like groundhog day, where every day might seem the same, the excitement of being out on your own boat with the one you love and often times with great views would hopefully outweigh any boredom. I am sure, though, that it is tiring as with just the 2 of you to man the ship at all times, there is a lot of work. Perhaps I should have been there with you to take up the slack!
Doreen Colnaghi
Jason, I love when you express your feelings, it makes it more real. To think that this is a piece of cake, and no problem would be the difficult part to believe. The rocking, the noise, not being able to walk anywhere, not being able to call it quits like Nikki said in the next video, just wow! My husband and I have been amazed at your courage. It is a BFD (as Joe Biden would say). And thank you both for sharing it with us because we will never do it!
Suze Bowen
Jason and Nikki, it has been quite the trip ..from Motorhome RVing to your sailing across the Pacific!
Much respect for your adventurous spirits and your working out how to afford it, and sharing your episodes with your faithful followers. Congratulations on your successes, and thank you so much for your informative and helpful videos throughout your adventurous years – the two of you are accomplishing so much! All the best to you, from my safe computer desk on Vancouver Island, BC., Cheerio and toodle loo! Luv
Paul
Ya all are old salts now. I’m amazed that your not swearing like sailors!
Went to the high tea at the peninsula hotel in HK and met my wife there, great ? experience, have you been ? . ?
karin@yumandmore
I hear you Jason! It is often in the most beautiful settings that one’s deepest emotions arise. I can understand the feeling of isolation especially on the sea that it so lively and so enormous beyond imagination when you are on it. Having to take turns on watches like you both do reinforces that feeling of being all alone out there. I think that is why all sailors have such a love and hate for the sea but most of all respect.
You are right to talk about those feelings because it takes the feeling of helplessness away. Sail on you two with love, respect and energy that your Curiousity gives you in more ways than one xox Karin
David
Great video, as always. What is that yellow canister vacuum you were using? (I don’t see one like it on your recommended products pages.)
Larry Hauser
I have really gotten into watching YouTube videos, and hearing people’s personal story.
One thing we have in common is I love to meet new people and different cultures. To me, it is amazing how we (humanity) is the same all over the world.
I love your great attitude and outlook, it just seems when there is a problem you all handle it without much tension. Well that is what you show on camera.
I would love to do the RV thing across the country.
Currently I ride a motorcycle, and that provides enough travel and meeting interesting people.
I haven’t figured out how to watch videos in order, yet
Curious Minion
Videos are in reverse chronological order on the blog. So if you page down all the way to the last one, you’ll be at the beginning.
Yona
Hey guys, you are wonderful. I am a 68 year old fella living in Southeastern Kentucky right on Lake Cumberland, well actually next to it. I spend a lot of time watching your videos and just tripping on how great they are. I have to tell you, if you get feeling down about what you’re doing and look for inspiration just watch some of your earlier videos. Well I’ll let this go for now to keep it from being too long. I will just wish you that the Creator will go before you and the light will be in your eyes. Blessings kids I’m hooked
Fred Fichman
That is why I really think that one of your or both of you should get your ham radio license…put up an HF antenna, plug into a small 100 watt HF radio, check into the Maritime Mobile net on 14.300. Lot’s going on on-the-air from shortwave radio broadcasts still alive and well and the ability to talk to fellow mariners and the folks back home with out the internet. Just a suggestion. Enjoy your vids.
Pam McClure
I like your true feelings. I appreciate when you share them, good and bad. You’re allowed to have your ups and downs…well, mental ups and downs that is. The sea gives you plenty of physical ups and downs. Beautiful video. Thank you.
Laurence Phillips
Yes that still from the action cam of the forward view in broad daylight is perfect. I wanted to make it my new desktop background but not willing to cut off the top or the bottom…