Dearest Family and Friends,
The time has finally come to actually say farewell. I am writing you from the lobby of the Best Western Prestige in Sooke, BC where they have graciously let me use their Internet, hot tub, showers and laundry for the last couple of days, if this e-mail ends abruptly it's because they finally realised I am not staying here.
The forecast is for rare easterly winds tomorrow which will allow me to sail the Juan de Fuca Straight to Neah Bay. I had a rather exciting sail, my first in the Juan de Fuca Straight, on my way here from Victoria and decided I should definitely wait for favourable winds. Between the westerly winds funnelled in from the Pacific, the currents from the tide and the shallow water quiet the chop can kick up, at one point in the trough of a wave I watched a purpoise at eye level having a glorious time surfing the crest of an oncoming wave, amazing. It will be a full day sail to Neah bay which is on the American side of the straight just around the corner from Cape Flattery and the access to the pacific and my dreams. I will not be able go ashore there as there is no customs, so this should be last contact. I will spend at least one night there in order to head offshore well rested and to get as much sea room, (as far as possible from land,) as I can before my first night at sea.
I would like to thank everybody who took the time to come to my Bon Vayage Party, it meant allot to me. It was so nice to see people travel and bring gifts, thank you. It was extremely generous of my sister Nicki and Robbie to open their home for such an event, and all the preparations my sister did, I am lucky to have such an amazing family. I want to thank Evan and Chloe again for their thoughtful toast. I am not very good at being the centre of attention and don't really enjoy it so I would also like to say thanks to Robbie's cars. Thanks also to all the people who came to see me on my stop at Pender Island.
It is my sincerest wish that I will be able to entertain you with email updates, stories and pictures and that you will look forward to receiving them. I will do my best. It is definitely not my intention to make anybody worry, I am safer at sea than on land without a dream to pursue I am sure. That said, for those who talk to God please include me in your conversations it is greatly appreciated. I will try and relay messages during the first long leg of sailing but cannot guarantee I can do this so if you don't hear from me for two months it probably just means I didn't feel like talking to anyone. I will definitely be longing for news from home so please reply to my next email which should come from Hiva Oa.
With Love,
Jonathan
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Getting Boat Name Painted On Me By Kaija at Craftsman Tattoo In White Rock