Hello backers - you kings and queens of generosity, kind souls who set me off on this fantastic journey,

Emily here, writing again from the remote corners of our planet, those watery latitudes and longitudes that have become a sort of home for me. In the spirit of the holidays and all other things kind and cheery, I have a small favor to ask of you!

I mentioned a handful of weeks ago that I have a new Kickstarter project going at the moment - a campaign to raise funds for some much needed repair-making while I'm in New Guinea. The short of it is that the ocean is a wild place, and thousands upon thousands of miles can and have really taken their toll on things; at this point i'm halfway through the some 20K+ miles in total the voyage will be, but pushing the boat past this point without addressing some major issues is both unwise and unsafe; In other words, these funds are pretty crucial in helping make the rest of the voyage a success.

We're down to 6 days to go on the current project and I could majorly use yall's help spreading the link around! If you're a baller and/or are swimming in it during these dark days, feel free to embrace your baller status by throwing in a few bucks again this round - I assure you you'll be kindly rewarded for your efforts!

I know this is the very unsexy middle of the project (unlike the oh so glamorous beginning when it's all hopes and dreams, or the excitement of the finish line with all the hugs and high fives) but arguably it's the most important time to support - Please consider lending a hand these next few days, it only takes a few seconds to let your friends know about a project you want to see succeed!


Huge thanks again to all of you for being a part of this craziest of pursuits...I can't believe how far we've come!


Bye for now and happy holidays!

Forever yours,
Emily

"ROUND THE WORLD WE GO!!" can be found here: kck.st/oDvej9

Round The World We Go !! from emily richmond on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/30709130

Update Nov 23, 2011: THE FIRST TO GIVE THANKS!
Hello friends! I'm writing you from the future!

That's right, I crossed the international date line about a day ago so, technically speaking, i should be more or the less first human being to give thanks this holiday - how lucky!

What's the future like, you may be asking? Great, I assure you - Just like the past... only better! And there are so, so, so many things to be thankful for:

-friends and family and every single person who's been a part of making this little dream come true (nearly 500 of you now!)
-i'm thankful for being alive in 2011 where technology/magic make it possible for me, even from the furthest corner of the globe, to stay connected with you lovely people
-i'm thankful for the shortwave radio that tells me of this great American Awakening: the lifting of that malaise that had made it so hard to see that bigger is not and has not been better, that each and every one of us has the ability to change our world into the one we want to see (and that it starts in our lives).
-i'm thankful for the wind that's shuttled me to some of the most remote places on planet earth, all for free, without one iota of debt to our carbon resources
-i'm thankful for the sunshine charging up my batteries (and subsequently my computer i'm typing on, the satellite phone i'll transmit from, and the stereo playing sweet jams in the background)
-i'm thankful for the rain constantly filling my water tanks (i shall never thirst again!)
-this year especially, i'm thankful for 12,000 miles of safe passages across a volatile sea. i'm thankful for the paradises no person this side of heaven deserves to see, and thankful for the kindness, generosity and friendship i've found in some of the most unlikely places. i'm grateful for life (oh how often it's too late that we learn how short it is) and the stroke of luck that's let me pursue this wildest of dreams at such a young age: Around the World Alone.

All of my love and good wishes to all of you backers. May this find you happy and healthy, with thanksgiving in your hearts.

xoxo,
Emily

Just a note to say my "More Cousteau, Less Huck Finn" project has about 16 hours left on it. At 76% funded it's gonna be a real nail biter to see if we can make it. If you have a spare moment and could help share the link - it'll do a whole lotta good. Getting ready to take off across the Pacific to the remote island nations of French Polynesia in about a weeks time - help me stay safe and survive El Nino!

Here's the link to the project: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eerichmond/more-jacques-cousteau-less-huck-finn

And here's the link to a little promo video: http://vimeo.com/10700126

THANK YOU GUYS!!!!!!

Hi!

Just wanted to write to say things are good, things are well. I sent out the first heap of polaroids the other day so those should begin arriving in your mailboxes shortly. The next batch will be from the Marquesas Islands. . .

I've been having an amazing time here in LA Cruz, Mexico. A bit of work, a lot of play. But the window has just opened for the Pacific crossing so I've got just a few weeks to wrap boat projects up and pick a date to make the jump across the Pacific. I've been keeping a close eye of the weather lately as it's now being forecast as an El Nino year. Things are still hard to pin down in terms of patterns so all the boats holed up here waiting for the jump are being very cautious this year.

Speaking of which, I launched another Kickstarter project on here a couple weeks ago with the aim of putting together some extra money for some safety gear before the crossing. There's just over 3 weeks left on it and I could really use all the help I can get spreading the word! Here's the link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eerichmond/more-jacques-cousteau-less-huck-finn

Alright, all for now, off to pick up my charts from the copy shop!

xoxo,
Emily

hey dudes and babes!

sorry for the lack of project updates on here! i did it, i made it to departure, im officially on my way! at the moment im in Ensenada, Mexico. ive been here a few days waiting out the insane series of fronts that have been blasting the so-cal coast. the days have been spent eating tacos, playing in a mariachi band, and swimming with sea lions. not really! mostly ive been just looking after the boat as the weather is very precarious and its pretty much a full-time job just keeping the boat safe. i should be out of here in a a few days when this all clears and then ill be on a 10 day sail down to a town called La Cruz just outside of Puerto Vallarta. Pretty excited - one of my fave places in Mexico.

I'm going to, of course, keep updating on here but for more frequent updates check in with my other blog at www.BobbieRoundsTheWorld.com and my twitter at www.twitter.com/eerichmond.

ciao pals!

Here's a little video update i did yesterday. im lookin' pretty rough already...ha!

Hey Guys!

Tomorrow's departure is being pushed back a day and will now be Sunday at 1PM at Burton Chase Park in Marina del Rey. Just a couple last minute packages to pick up and loose ends to tidy. It's here, it's here, we're nearly there!

Be well my friends,
Emily

...is Saturday, January 9th, 2010. I'll be leaving mid-morning from Burton Chase Park in Marina del Rey, CA. Just a heads up for those who want to come scream Bon Voyage!

In other news, the week in the boatyard went swimmingly. Lots of buddies and backers came out to help tear into the work. I honestly dont think I have ever been dirtier than those days I spent covered in sand, paint, and various lacquer thinners. For as much as I love working with my hands, that degree of filth was definitely testing the limits! Got heaps of work done, and it's all thanks to you lovely backers! New bottom paint below the waterline (BOBBIE's underside is now red!), new shiny white polyeurethane paint on the hullsides and tons of deck work was accomplished. We're certainly on our way!

Tons happening on a daily basis, it;s hard to keep up with it all. Just wanted to do a quick update to say thanks again for all the support and to let yall know it's all coming together nicely!

More soon!
Emily

PS. If you're looking for another great project to support, do yourself a favor and take a look at the trailer for this genius feature film THE WOODS....it's down to 3 days before the pledging closes on this amazing project! Live Radical and Change the World here! : http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matthewlessner/live-radical-and-change-the-world-our-first-fea

Hi All!

Things have really been full-steam ahead since all the pledging closed. My friend, Alisa, and I spent 4 days shaking the boat down on our cruise up from San Diego this past week. As to be expected the trek was fraught with various engine and electrical problems - consistent with any first cruise on an older boat that's been sitting awhile. I've been docked up at Burton Chase Park here in lovely Marina del Rey for the last few days and have been busy remedying the issues.

First thing tomorrow morning, we haul the boat out of the water and I'll set to stripping and repairing all the exterior surfaces. I'll get to take a good look at the underside of the boat and re-apply some anti-fouling paint and then on the topside I'll be removing the old teak decks and re-coating all the surfaces with new paint and non-skid grip. it's sure to be a heap of work so if anyone is local and wants to come pitch in on the labor it'd be terrific to have you! the day rate for space in the boatyard is absolutely astronomical so the more hands there are the faster and cheaper the process will be. right now my plan is to be in the yard beginning tomorrow morning thru tuesday afternoon so if you think you might wanna stop for a bit shoot me an email and i'll get you all the details - no experience required! so excited about all that's unfolding - more soon!

so photos from san diego and the trip up:

Perry Chen (Kickstarter CEO) and I will be hangin' and hosting a meetup tonight for anyone interested! Perry's a great dude so for anyone interested in Kickstarter or my trip it's a great chance to come chill and chat! Come one, come all!

It'll be at SHORTSTOP in Echo Park.
1455 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 482-4942

There's no sign, just enter under the neon pink "cocktails" sign...21+.

We'll be there from 8 PM on...

See you tonight!

Emily

You guys are amazing! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED AND PIMPED THEIR HEARTS OUT!! SO CRAZY!

Keep tracking my progress on here and on my blog at www.bobbieroundstheworld.com! I cannot wait to start sending all this wacky stuff out...Let's like build a boat!

xo/emily

guuuyyyssss

$6,440.80 has been raised so far!!! Only $1,555.30 more to go!! CWAZYYYYY

BLAST IT!!!

DUDES, i think we're doin' it!!! Keep the pledges comin'! I just added a few more ACID DIALZ...aint it yalls lucky day!