PACIFIC SOLO ROW

A glimpse into just some of the logistics to get an expedition like this to the start line. Those that are familiar with ocean rowing will know what’s involved.

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My North Atlantic expedition ended after disembarking from the tanker in Corpus Christi Texas on June 7th, 2022. After purchasing a new trailer while still on the tanker,  - (with the help of my daughter Bonnie, doing the negotiations and searching)  I finally got “Wild Ride” off the tanker and into storage late on the 7th. (This was a mission in itself). On June 8th I flew back to Virginia Beach to collect my truck then on the 9th I met with VB friends Mike, Trey and Ben for breakfast and to catch up. That afternoon I drove back to Cary NC to be able to move into my new apartment on the 10th. Gym and physical training for PSR 2023 started the next day on the 11th.

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Fetching "Wild Ride" from Texas.

On Thursday September 29th, I headed out on a 1400-mile drive to Corpus Christi with trailer in tow. After a one-night stop in Mobile AL, I arrived in CC on Friday afternoon, 30th and went straight to the storage where Wild Ride was stored and was truly delighted to see her. I have become very attached to that little vessel, anyway after about 3 hours of dealing with flat trailer tires and other small issues I finally had her transferred to the original trailer (the one I'd just towed from NC). Saturday morning, I headed out back to NC, staying overnight in Atmore AL, and arrived back in Cary NC on Sunday afternoon, 2nd of October. The 2800-mile trip taking 4 days. (For those more familiar with kilometers - 4480km) A whirlwind road trip to say the least. The return trip was uneventful apart from many curious and sometimes very interested motorists peering at a vessel they never knew existed, some reading the web address and sending messages of support while en-route. 

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Repairs and Improvements.

October and November was a busy time with repairing some bumps and bruises and some minor breakages she collected getting on and off the tanker. I changed the rowing seat and position, replaced the bilge pump, hand-held radio, installed an inverter (I now have 110v power on board) and a few other items that were getting tired. Purchased a new para-anchor and rope and new bridal line. The previous one got gobbled up in the tanker bow-thruster. I’ve changed the para anchor bridal set-up (North Atlantic experience), my AIS is toast, so need to replace that, (Kenny in Texas, has been great helping with that issue) – I only found that problem after having my N2K system constantly getting bombed out for no apparent reason, finally to realize it was the AIS with its own set of demons. Re-configured my food preparation set-up, changed some lighting, got new signage for the boat and truck.  With my busy schedule all this can only be done on Saturdays so seemingly small things take an inordinate amount of time and of course training continues 7 days a week.

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Preparation.

Finally on November 6th I got to row again for the first time since the Atlantic. Really nice to get back into it. Both physical and rowing training will continue through to end May. On May 22nd, 2023, I leave North Carolina (NC) with "Wild Ride" in tow and head West 2800 miles across the country to Monterey CA. (this is an adventure on its own) I will arrive there on May 26th and PSR launch is scheduled for on or around June 6th. (weather dependent)

None of this has included things like accommodation, mooring, parking for my truck and trailer, moving my apartment stuff out and back into storage (for the second time in 12 months), and a bunch of other things too numerous to mention plus several hundred miles of training ( 1100 miles for the North Atlantic) and only then, finally, ready for the main event.....rowing across 2800 miles of Pacific Ocean to Hawaii.

 

The Return Trip from Hawaii.

After a week of R&R and some site-seeing in Honolulu, it'll be time to head back. This won't be simply jumping on a flight back to North Carolina.

I need to get "Wild Ride" onto some sort of trailer - borrowed or rented (I'll figure that out once I'm there) - and drag her to the shipping yard where she'll be taken off the trailer and placed onto a steel platform which will be loaded onto a barge heading to Seattle. The barge departs Hawaii every 2 weeks and takes 2 weeks to get to Seattle so my journey back will be a flight to San Francisco, hop on a Uber to Monterey to get my truck and trailer, then head 1300 miles up north to Seattle and probably hang around there for a few days to a week, maybe more, waiting for the barge to arrive. Once it arrives I'll head to the port and load "Wild Ride" onto my trailer and begin the 2845 mile return trip across the northern states then south into Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and finally back home to North Carolina to complete this epic adventure.

 

Adventure at its best !!

 

I hope that’s of some interest and maybe inspirational to take on challenges that both test us and change our lives. Ocean rowing is not for everyone but there is a challenge out there for everyone. Find yours and go for it. It might just be life changing.......

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While taking on an ocean is a formidable task, I choose to do it. Spare a thought for those who's daily challenge and struggle is to simply try to function as "normally" as possible. Their challenge is not a choice, its foisted upon them.  At birth, or developed physical disabilities and crippling disease, afflicts millions daily. Their lives are devoid of the possibilities that many of us enjoy, and sometimes take for granted. One of the many life changes that ocean rowing has brought to me, is NOT to take this privilege for granted. 

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Be grateful. Be your best. Be inspired !

                          

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