August 7, 2007

Last night, my odometer rolled past 1,000 nautical miles.  An odometer tracks distance.  I am 733 nautical miles from Bodega Bay, where I set off.

I am 1,277 miles from my home in Seattle, Washington.  Just like my family in Turkey, home seems very far away.

What are my goals out here at sea?  I certainly have to return alive and remain independent.  I have to work hard and keep my promises to make my family proud.  I have to be a better person and work on my strengths and weaknesses.

What does this journey mean?  Why am I doing it?  Why go through all the trouble?  I will answer these questions along the way.

If you enjoy these dispatches, please pass them along to your family and friends.

*Entry adapted for grades 5-8 by Andrea Rogers