November 24, 2001

The following replies were received from the Cosmos in response to messages posted on the Message Board.

Aaron + Anton -- Message 85

10-30-2001 07:20 PM ET (US)

We have just arrived at LAX en route to London and have checked the website which is fantastic! We are currently enjoying a glass of Champagne, trying to extend the excellent vacation aboard Cosmos as much as possible.

Don and George, we hereby allocate our daily snickers and Hinano beer rations to you. Hope you are having fair winds and have/had a good journey to Tonga. Heading back to rainy London we wish we could have stayed longer.

Kia Orana

The swabies

Response:

Swabies,

Yesterday we had our own champagne right after clearing customs in New Zealand. The rest of the trip was made more difficult because of the absence of the Swabies. Wish you could have made it.

Regarding the Snickers and Hiano beer, it has become ships stores and will be used as a signing bonus to get new crew members.

Captain of the Cosmos

Cosmos Webmaster -- Message 86

10-31-2001 08:15 PM ET (US)

The Cosmos crew has sent replies to some of the messages posted on this board. The replies were too lengthy to be posted here -- they can be found on the News page dated October 30, 2001.

Response:

Thank you, Webmaster.

Joe Dorr, Captain of the Cosmos

Jan Spicknall -- Message 87

11-02-2001 09:54 PM ET (US)

Joe, Thanks so much for taking the time to answer each of my student's questions. They were thrilled to get your personal message and appreciated the depth you went into. We loved your fishing story. And Cody's math problem gave us some practice for the MSPAP assessments. As soon as we get a chance we will post more questions from some of the kids who didn't get a chance to send one last time. Thanks for helping them realize what a wonderful world we really do live in! Miss you, Jan

Response:

Jan,

Miss you too.

Keep those questions coming.

Joe

Doug Stansbury -- Message 88

11-06-2001 09:04 AM ET (US)

Joe ...have been following your wonderous voyage since the family reunion. Sent a number of messages and don't know whether they made it to you or not but suspect they didn't. Have numerous people tuned in to your site, from Bob Cutler to my brother Tim in Mexico to my office staff in China.Just returned from there and it became a special treat for them to view the updates/pictures as they are not accustomed to such adventures. I have fond memories of the sea, the night sky and the tropics from my days in the Navy and you have revived in me warm feelings that were long forgotten.Thanks

Response:

Doug,

Thanks for spreading the word. Tell your whole family Joe said, "Hello." Look forward to hearing about your business in China.

Joe

Emily Dorr -- Message 89

11-06-2001 11:38 AM ET (US)

Hi Dad & Crew-Sorry I missed your phone call. We all celebrated with Chinese food and cake at my house. Thanks for the beautiful necklace. Progress on the house so far is slow going but it is going. We ripped up carpet in one room this weekend, floor is in great shape but does need refinishing. Don't worry I am sure I will find something for you to help with when you get home. Love, Em

Response:

Emily,

You get the work done, and I will help you eat some food. Look forward to seeing your new home.

Love Dad

Kay Simkins -- Message 90

11-06-2001 10:48 PM ET (US)

Don - Patuxent River is now the temporary custodian of the D/5 Caravelle Trophy for Seamanship, Piloting and AP ta daa.

Also picked up another couple of certificates for classes. Stammer got a certificate for Chapman award nomination or Squadron Chapman award winner.Hal did a great job with the Education Expo idea. Best Fall Conference ever. Kip went and was in charge of the ME class. Lots of changes in the offing.Weather here is about perfect. You are missing the best weather of the year. Imagine you will be too tired of sailing for the Volvo (Whitbread ) be here in April..Miss you, COme home soon!! Captains Table et al await.

Kay and Al

Response:

Kay and Al,

Thanks for the note.

Congratulations on all the awards Kay. I have some idea of the effort involved and you are to be commended.

The trip is about over for me. Another couple of weeks before Betty Joins me here in New Zealand. It has been great.

Don

Mom -- Message 92

11-08-2001 05:08 AM ET (US)

Joe,

Sorry I wasn't home for my birthday greeting. I was at the quilt guild meeting. Enjoyed hearing from you. It seem as if you are batting zero on Nov. birthday calls. Hope you have better luck on Brendan's

Our fall has been glorious. No really cold weather yet. We do need rain, none since Sept.

Nothing exciting happening. We're all waiting you're return. Thanks for the call.

Love and God be with you All, Mom

Response:

Mom,

You were lucky that you were not home when I called. My intention was to sing Happy Birthday to you. Hope you did have a good one.

We are in NZ now, and the weather is like lovely fall days in Maryland, but the geography makes me think that I am in Maine during he summer.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

Love

Joe

Mary Dennis --Message 93

11-09-2001 12:28 PM ET (US)

George,

Peter, Hilary, Sophie and I were in MD for Griffith Potts' baptism and had the joy of seeing your family and meeting Sara for the first time. It was a wonderful reunion and you were missed. Kathy was wearing the beautiful bracelet that you sent her - congratulations on 39 years of marriage! As Thanksgiving approaches we think of you all and also wish you early birthday greetings. I've been following your exciting and interesting progress on the Cosmos and wish you continued success in your adventures.

Much love from all of us,

Mary

Response:

Mary,

I'm sorry I missed Griffith's baptism; especially the 'getting together with the family' part. Thanks for watching the website. It's the best way that I can share the trip with you.

George

Kelly McKay -- Message 95

11-13-2001 11:53 PM ET (US)

What an amazing website!!!! Okay, I would love to join you somewhere, somehow on this trip, for maybe 2-3 weeks.....I am in awe at the adventure you have and are living! Life happens once. Life should be filled with adventure every single moment! I hope you are enjoying yourselves, with good laughter and lots of courage!!!! Keep it up guys!

Response:

Kelly,

Nice to hear from you. I will probably post trip and crew information to the web site while at home from Dec to March. The posting will tell the times of our travels and stops from NZ to South Africa. Let me know what part you want to join.

Joe

Dave & Chris -- Message 96

11-15-2001 11:39 PM ET (US)

Joe,

Thanks for the wonderful news about your adventure. I thought of the you Friday while in line to pay for my groceries. The fellow ahead of me knocked my pancake syrup on the floor, the bottle cracked open and there was syrup everywhere. That caused me to think of the maidan voyage Dave and I took with you on Cosmos (Scorpio then) and our entry into the Chesapeake from the Atlantic, it was so rough one of the galley cabinets came open and among other things that came out was a bottle of pancake syrup. Before things settled down there was syrup all over the galley. Sounds like Cosmos is sailing smoother than those early days. Matt, Diana, Garrett and Adian are coming for Thanksgiving. John, Janie, Brittany and Adam will join us for dinner.

Love, Chris

Response:

Chris,

The worse thing similar to the great syrup spill that we have had on this voyage was when we had the kitchen window open and a rogue wave sent about three to five gallons of water into the kitchen. Water was in all of the drawers, in the cabinets, into the area above the water tanks that we now use for storage. All of the cardboard had to be jettisoned and goods repacked in plastic. Still, salt water is not a sticky as maple syrup.Tell all of the Ohio Langs that I said, "Hello."

Captain Joe

Cindy Kilpatrick -- Message 98

11-17-2001 05:38 PM ET (US)

Hi Don -

I hope you are having a great time on this awesome adventure!! I'm living vicariously through your website, which looks great, by the way!

Hey, will you guys be in Papua New Guinea at all?

Tons of love,

Cindy

Response:

Cindy,

I will be leaving Cosmos at the end of the first leg in New Zealand. The trip has been great. Thanks for the note.

Don