Friday, January 16, 2009

Day 16

A quick note as of 10AM GMT I have the watermaker back up and running. Still a little hit or miss, but we'll see. Made 10 liters of water just now. Tube blew out after three minutes the first time then held for 15+ after being reconnected. Fingers remain crossed.

Big seas out there right now (15+ feet?) and consistent winds of 25+ knots. Time to make up for lost mileage yesterday with some hard rowing!

Paul

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

If rowing and finance don't work out for you, maybe your new technical skills can come in handy in this economy, everyone needs a good plumber!

Glad you can stay hydrated, now how about a power 10 to get you back up to speed.

Keep up the good work!
Becca

Anonymous said...

15 foot seas? Are these the biggest you've seen? Remember, shorten the stroke and keep your point.

Keep on keepin on! -- ETS

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about the water problems but glad to hear that you have it solved. I can't imagine having to ration water since I drink 2 qts a day!

Your middle name isn't by any chance Michael, is it? If so we could start across the US rounds of 'Michael Row The Boat Ashore' once you're over half way!

Each day when I get to work the first thing I do is check your website! And each day I'm in awe of what you are accomplishing. You're incredible and I hope one day I get to shake your hand and give you a big hug (the motherly kind)!

My thoughts and prayers are constantly with you.

A Friend of K-Rock

Anonymous said...

Hey Paul,
Relieved to hear about the watermaker, and impressed with your determination and great technical prowess. Perhaps ocean-grade duct tape - if there is such a thing (!) and an octopus or two could work in a pinch. This will make for a great chapter in the book I imagine you'll be writing!
Continually pulling for you from Vestal where it's a cool zero this morning!
Take care...literally,
Allyson A.

Zack Bloom said...

Hey buddy! Glad to hear things are OK or at least, better for now, with your water machine. This is all very dramatic; I hadn't checked your blog in a couple of days so now, after getting a big dose of your updates, do not ever like to read that anything is going wrong! The situation is even too serious for me to give you a "whaaaaa, I'm thirsty, whaaaaa"!

Anyway, I'm so happy to hear that things are back on track and that you are making some westward progress. Hopefully you packed a supply of duct tape and WD-40, because you can basically fix 90% of life's mishaps!

I'm glad to hear you've adjusted to the life at sea as well and can only hope you come rowing into Antigua wielding a sword and eye patch, with the bird following your boat perched on your shoulder. A puffy shirt is probably out of the question, but what can you do?!

Can we get a beard update when things settle down?

You aren't missing too much around here other then bone chilling cold. Be happy that you are out at sea this weekend as it's going to be about 5 degrees.

In sports, we are less than a month a way from pitchers and catchers reporting. The Yankees are in talks with Boras about signing God to a 3 year deal, in an attempt to sure up their Center Field position!

Their is a new biggest loser; they are bigger than ever. Mild Manner Bob absolutely freaked out on one woman, you would have been shocked!

And finally, here are few questions for you to ponder while rowing.

1. You are putting together a fiver piece band and can select any musician's, dead or alive, to be in this band. You need a lead guitar and singer, rhythm guitar, drums, bass, and key board. Who are you putting in the band and why?

2. You have four tickets to a baseball game. You are going and can take three former or current baseball players with you. Who are you taking and why? Remember, you have three hours, five if it's a Yanks/Sox game, to talk about basically anything.

3. It's dinner tie and Perlman and Dan are hungry, but too lazy to leave the house. Perlman fortunately has a jar of peanut butter to dig into, and Dan has a fresh loaf of bread. They begin eating said foods at the same time. Will Perlman polish off his jar before Dan finished his bread or vice versa. And of course, please give some reasoning. They are both very hungry!

Keep up the amazing work my friend, we're all rooting you on and cheering for you back home!

Anonymous said...

OK, so I can breathe again. And not have to worry about posting x-rated comments about manufacturers who make life/death equipment that doesn't work! (sorry nice people at the water company who tried to help...) We're prod that you kept your head and your cool and got things back on track - and are ready to focus on the rowing again. Didn't I hear that you have some tube sock with the feet cut off in your 'tool kit'? (pun intended)Maybe they'd come in handy as extra water hoses... Just don't be tempted to break out the champagne early - stick with the plan. xxxooo-

Anonymous said...

Dear Paul,

Thak-you for the update, we are so happy you got the water system fixed. Must've been those prayers from all of us at Christ the king:)

Keep on keeping on. We are all rooting for you!

John and Pat

Anonymous said...

Thanks for giving us the quick update to let us know things with the water-maker are, at least for now, holding up. Have a great day of rowing. Eyes on the prize. We'll be thinking of you.

Lindsey
Colgate 2005

Anonymous said...

Paul, you're my hero! Fingers crossed that things continue to go smoothly. The Benjamin Franklin vulture also wishes you well. He's looking down his nose at me through his bifocals right now.

K

Anonymous said...

Dear Paul,

I recently learned about your commendable expedition and wanted to take a moment to wish you a successful and safe journey. Please know that we’re rooting for you back in Binghamton.

Best wishes,

State Senator Tom Libous

Anonymous said...

La Mondiale crew hit a submerged container and it sheared off their rudder. They've been unable to repair it and with 8m seas forecast for a week they won't have the chance to do a proper fix. So they've called Falmouth and are being picked up by a ship tonight and being taken to Italy. If Leven thought conditions were bad then that means they probably are and you will get hit too. Stick to all your safety procedures and you'll be fine. Of the 4 crews that left in December you are only one still out there. Keep up the amazing efforts.

moldham said...

Your cousin in Lawrence sent us the link. I have e-mail my friend, Elaine Houston, in Antigua. Perhapes you can call her when you get there. She is a retired nurse for Douglas County in Kansas.

Anonymous said...

You know Paul, back in the day when fresh water could not be stored, Pirate's used a different beverage that could be stored in wooden barrells and still not get slimy. It was called Rum.
None of your experts could have hooked you up on that one huh?
Just kidding team. Awesome job. Keep up the good work, and Paul, ROW HARDER!
-Yanuzzi

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul. I am Melissa M's dad and have gotten hooked on your daily blog. I think it it a wonderful thing that you are doing and I wish you all the best on your journey. My prayers are with you as well.I hope we get to meet some day. Take care.

Unknown said...

Paul,

I second the beard update...

Also imagine you are on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic, if you could only have three songs to listen to on repeat, what would they be?

Cheers,
Mark Ranta

Anonymous said...

We need a beard watch update - do you look like you belong to ZZ Top now?

-PTR