SAILING INTO MORDOR
I never thought I would sail into Mordor.
Tall peaks rising out of the ocean with steep cliffs dropping down into the sea, but then I had never sailed in the Sea of Cortez.
If I had know that Mordor was so accessible, I would have sailed here long ago. But that’s the way Mordor is. It’s a secret known only to a few.
I didn’t know that we were on a quest to this secret land, and it was only a pandemic that forced us to come here to seek refuge in Waterworld. But that’s the good thing about adventure, you never know where it’s going to take you, and sometimes it takes you to amazing places.
This morning we passed through a rocky entrance into a small cove surrounded by rocks on all sides. If I had dreamed it up in my mind, I would have thought it was impossible for such a place to exist. But it does exist, and only the brave dare enter.
This small anchorage in Mordor is a fair weather anchorage, and if unfavorable wind should come up in the night, our small vessel could be dashed against the rocks.
Staying in this special place is a trust exercise. If you trust the grib files and the weather report, then you take the chance and stay the night in Mordor cove. But if an unfavorable wind arises during the night, we may have to weigh anchor and leave in the darkness in the middle of the night.
There will be a nearly full moon after midnight, and if it is our destiny to move in the darkness, the moon will be a great friend showing the way out of Mordor Bay.
So far, predictions indicate 5 to 6 knots of wind tonight, and we are seriously considering spending the night here where thousands of ancient sailors faced the same decision and decided to drop anchor as well.
Some anchorages are like a Venus Fly Trap - the plant that eats insects. The Venus Fly Trap lures unsuspecting insects into its jaws which snap shut, and the insect is history digested in the juices of the carnivorous plant.
We are now in the Jaws of Mordor Cove, and tonight we will find out if the jaws of destruction snap shut or if we will be given a pass in an unusually beautiful anchorage.
Time will tell.
That’s all I have to say about that.
Awesome music video that captures the essence of what it's like to sail offshore in a catamaran around the world when conditions are less than perfect. David Abbott from Too Many Drummers sings the vocals, and he also edited the footage from our Red Sea adventures. This is the theme song from the Red Sea Chronicles.
Sailing up the Red Sea is not for the faint of heart. From the Bab al Mandeb to the Suez Canal, adventures and adversity are in abundance. If you take things too seriously, you just might get the Red Sea Blues.
If you like drum beats, and you like adventure, then have a listen to the Red Sea Chronicles Trailer.
Flying fish assault Exit Only in the middle of the night as we sail through the Arabian Gulf from the Maldives to Oman. And so begins our Red Sea adventures.
Sailing through Pirate Alley between Yemen and Somalia involves calculated risk. It may not be Russian Roulette, but it is a bit of a worry. Follow Team Maxing Out as they navigate through Pirate Alley.
Stopping in Yemen was just what the doctor ordered. We refueled, repaired our alternator, and we made friends with our gracious Yemeni hosts. We also went to Baskins Robbins as a reward for surviving Pirate Alley.
After you survive Pirate Alley, you must sail through the Gate of Sorrows (Bab Al Mandab) at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The Gate of Sorrows lived up to its name with fifty knots of wind and a sandstorm that pummeled Exit Only for two days. Life is good.
Captain Dave and his family spent eleven years sailing around the world on their Privilege 39 catamaran, Exit Only. During the trip, the crew shot 200 hours of video with professional cameras to show people what it's like to sail on a small boat around the world.
The Red Sea Chronicles is a one hour and twenty-two minute feature film showing their adventures as Exit Only sails through Pirate Alley in the Gulf of Aden and up the Red Sea. The professional footage documents their experiences in Oman, Yemen, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, and the Suez Canal. It chronicles the rigors of traveling in a remote section of the world rarely visited by cruisers. Exit Only dodges Yemeni pirates, fights a gale and sand storms in the Bab al Mandeb at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The crew explores deserted islands on the western shores of the Red Sea, and learns to check the cruising guides for land mines before venturing ashore.
The Red Sea Chronicles also has outstanding Special Features including an Instructional Video on Storm Management that tells sailors how to deal with storms at sea.
And don't forget the two Music Videos: "The Red Sea Blues", and "Captain - Save Our Souls".
The Red Sea Chronicles is a first class adventure that stokes the sailing dreams of both experienced and wannabe sailors alike.
Join Team Maxingout as they sail through Pirate Alley and up the Red Sea
See what it's like to cruise on a catamaran before you spend a bazillion dollars purchasing one
After watching the Red Sea Chronicles you will be able to see yourself sailing on the ocean of your dreams
Although I like the feel of a paper book in my hand, I love trees even more. When people purchase an eBook, they actually save trees and save money as well. Ebooks are less expensive and have no negative impact on the environment. All of Dr. Dave's books are available at Save A Tree Bookstore. Visit the bookstore today and start putting good things into your mind. It's easy to fill your mind with positive things using eBooks. No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can pull out your smart phone or tablet and start reading. You can even use electronic highlighters and make annotations in your eBooks just like paper books.
