The weather for most of our sendoff on Sunday was very pleasant: sunny, warm, and calm. But an hour before departure, it started blowing hard --- about 20 kn, gusting to 25 kn from the south. Once we rounded Point Pinos, we felt the full sea state. Maybe 8-9' seas.
Unfortunately, shortly afterwards, we had our first accident: me. I was climbing up out of the fish hold, having just posted the blog before this one. The companionway is covered by a heavy sliding hatch, which often sticks. Knowing this, I gingerly gave it a pull, then again, this time more forcefully. The hatch slid open suddenly, just as the boat took a roll to port. My left thumb got scissored between the frame and the hatch itself, leaving a cut down to the bone and blood everywhere.
Andrea, our Captain, and I had a brief discussion about whether to keep going or head back.After a lot of staring at the wound, she summarized the situation well: "The use of your hand is worth more than an hour of our time." So back we went. I ended up spending Sunday evening at CHOMP, the Monterey hospital, while the boat continued down the coast. Diagnosis is that I will need to see a hand surgeon in a week. Meanwhile, the risk of an infection is great, so I'm to be on antibiotics, while changing the bandage twice a day.
After getting patched up, John Gregg (our founder) and I drove down the coast the next day and I rejoined Flyer in Santa Barbara.
Sherry, our Executive Director, says that every great trip starts with a disaster. If so, I took one for the team and got that out of the way.
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