Cruising out to the neighbor islands, Gemini and her crew first took a detour and made a brief stop in Ko Olina, on the leeward side of Oahu. Angelyn joined us on the first day of the cruise and so we thought we would drop her off on the west side. Smooth sailing from Kewalo and around Barber's Point, we arrived just at sunset. Where to go from here? Leaving from Ko Olina adds a few more miles to the course to Lanai and with normal ENE Tradewinds, points us more into the wind. But this is the Pacific Offshore "Challenge" after all! 

Sailing for 22 hours upwind from Ko Olina to the south of Lanai, is exhilarating but a little bit exhausting. You don't get much (any) sleep really, especially when fishing boats come out of nowhere and try to run you over at 0200. Actually had to call them on the VHF radio to avoid a collision. Remember: "Red over White Fishing at Night" and sailing vessels giveaway to fishing vessels. So a little bit damp from the warm Hawaiian sea spray, the salty crew of Gemini is more than eager to set foot in our first destination. 

Departing Southwestern Yacht Club at mid day, we waved goodbye to our friends and family on the dock. Maybe Shawn and Sylvia, Ralph and Leo and John thought we were going to turn around, but this time we pointed the bow out past Point Loma and didn't stop! Under mostly sunny skies and nice breeze on the beam, Gemini and crew started their 2,262 NM voyage with an escort of dolphins, sea lions and birds.

​The boat is full of supplies: about 80 gallons of water, 55 gallons of diesel fuel (it's a sailboat!) and food for at least 30 days, consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, a loaf of bread (these items will go bad in a week, so...) and lots and lots of canned tuna, fruits and vegetables, soup, pasta and rice. Oh, and of course trail mix, Cliff and Odwalla bars! This should hold us over if we don't catch any fish...