July 16

July 16, 1915 hrs. Position N 45.57 / W 145.28 About 130 miles traveled the last 24 hrs.
We dropped under 1000 nautical miles to go last night at about 2100. Big milestone! I got to open up my special bag of Cheetos Puffs that we brought along, my favorite! I had decided that I wouldn't open them until we got under 1000 miles. Yum! We are now at 882 miles to go and our latitude is about even with Tillamook Head. We are hoping that the winds will cooperate and we can reach in straight to the Columbia River. We had motored for 34 hours trying to get through the North Pacific High and out to the NW winds on the backside. We shut the engine off at about 1800 this evening. The winds are from the NW at about 10 knots and we are reaching at 5 - 5.5 knots. Very calm seas at the moment so it is smooth sailing and so very quiet after having the motor droning on for so long.
We have had a couple more whales nearby today, very fun to see every time. Our mysterious follower must have sensed that I was watching for him because he is being more covert today. I've seen him several times but he disappears much more quickly now. I have figured out his name, he goes by Mr. Ross, first name Albert. He is a pretty gangly fellow and pretty fun to watch. I will be sad when he decides not to follow us anymore.
It was very dark last night with no moon to speak of. The bioluminance was pretty bright last night and our prop was throwing a glowing wake for a long ways behind us. We had something pretty big swim up to check us out last night but all I could see was the green glow from where it was disturbing the surface then it swam away. We also had what I now refer to as "demon birds" around us all night. These evil little suckers surround us by night, I think attracted to our navigational lights and make a creep chirping/clicking noise. The first time I heard them it was too foggy to see them but last night I spotlighted them with a flashlight. They were everywhere. One of them must have liked the flashlight though and came straight at me, hovering about 3 ft. away and lunging towards me. Evil little demon bird, I have decided that I really don't like them.