With every meal come peals of laughter. It is like one huge laughing commotion that continues on until we all disperse. We all have our moments of missing home and all of our luxuries (i.e. cell phone… that is a big one). I have learned a lot these past eight days; you can live without showers. Our brains are kept working memorizing ropes and lines and singing songs to ourselves on bow watch to stay awake in the middle of the night. This so far has been a wonderful experience and I am so glad I came.

- Helen Braswell

My trip on the Lynx has already brought many experiences. I have learned how to distribute my time in a more orderly fashion, as well as think about my priorities on the ship and in life. I have also enjoyed the different opportunities only an 1812 ship can offer, such as climbing the rigging and having a hands on experience with lingo and sails. Even though I sometimes miss the luxuries of life such as showers and endless supplies of water and sweets, I still enjoy each day. The surprising good food and supportive crew do much more just reciprocate for my classes from land. The Lynx so far has been a great experience in my life and I am sure it will be until the end.

- Alex Heiney

“Welcome aboard” said the crew. As I first stepped foot onboard the Lynx. I was greeted then by what I had thought to be strangers. I gave a quick hello and went down to my bunk. I was happy to see I had the largest bunk in the salon. I had been so anxious to be on the boat and now I was finally there. Since my brother Mitchell Lewis had sailed from Hawaii to San Francisco I felt I was now completing the trip. The next morning we set sail. The crew didn’t give any slack to any of the students. They had already taught me how to “sweat” which is a motion to get the slack out of a line. I particularly did not like this gesture and by the time my hands were purple as a plum from pulling on the ropes all the sails were up and we were cruising down the pacific. Other things I didn’t really like to do were dishes, there not my favorite thing in the whole world but as the days went on I began to look at doing dishes, deck wash or polishing the brass not as work but as things to pass the time. The different watches took time to get used to but soon enough day and night didn’t mean anything to me they were all the same. I know looked at the crew and other students as one. We were all one crew even though there were some major age differences when someone needed help no matter what I was doing I’d drop everything to help them. Everyone gives 110% and that’s the only way the ship can sail. No one slacks off and when something is needed to be done it gets done right away.

- McKenzie Lewis

One of the things that I miss is my family and my music. I have also seen a dolphin for the first time very close to me. I also saw a shark, whales, and jellyfish. One more thing I have learned that is very important to all sailors is to plot where you are, how many miles you have traveled, and how many miles you have traveled in one hour. Today at noon, I did a daily report, to see where we were and how far away Hawaii is. We are 1900 miles away from Hawaii. I can’t wait to get to Hawaii so I won’t worry about getting seasick anymore. It really sucks if you get sick. I also can’t wait to take a nice warm shower. Well, that’s all for now. I hope you didn’t fall asleep reading this. Bye bye for now. Love Jorge Alvarez. Hope to see you soon.

- Jorge Alvarez.

Hello to everyone on land that is taking the time to read this. I hope that you guys are doing great. As for me, I’m having a lot of fun on the Lynx. I have learned a lot even though it’s only the fourth day of this cool voyage. The first day of the trip wasn’t so good because I had to wake up early, and I mean early. We had to eat breakfast and do some chores like clean the floor of the main saloon (which was pretty dirty). Some of the things I learned so far: the names of the sails, the name of the lines (ropes) and what the lines do. I also learned to steer the helm (wheel). One thing I don’t like is the bow watch because it is dark and you can’t see what is around you which is scary.

- Karafaye Buffa