Marina Del Re

Left Oxnard early this morning, in the fog, motoring.....see a pattern here? Arrived at Marina Del Re about 1400. As we were docking, noticed a boat call Last Dance. Man got off his boat to help us tie off and low and behold we had met this fellow in Morro Bay. As we were docking we were talking about how we remembered that boat, but just couldn't place where until we saw John. He is traveling alone in a 25 foot s/v. (sailing vessel) Been doing this for years. Used to work for Nasa. It got pretty warm, ok hot this afternoon. It isn't bad on the water, but on land is a different tale.

Day 30

Hard to believe we've been gone from Tacoma a month now. We are in Oxnard for two nights because it is a new marina and it is free. It is a promotion and you can stay two nights free of charge. Water and electricity included. We were lowering the motor off the boat to the dingy when something came loose and Dick got his hand caught between the rail and the motor. Thought for a moment that he broke his hand, but thank goodness it just smarted for a while. If the motor had been over the rail, it could have fallen on Dick's head. Once repairs made, we took dinghy over to a place called, Fisherman's Wharf. Supposed to be shops and eateries. It was run down and most of places closed. Did buy 1/2 dozen Spudnut donuts. Once back to marina, ran into a couple we met in New Port, Or when waiting for good weather. Visited and had tea on their boat, then they came over to our boat to visit. Boaters always want to see each others boats. They are headed to Mexico also.

oxnard

Well this is dick writing so don't look for perfect. We made it to oxnard and lucked out and got in a brand new marina that has a promotion................free, well at least for two nights but we will take it!

The trip over from santa barbara was uneventful except for the show put on by some type of dolphins they played and jumped all around our boat. In all gave a great show then back to uneventful, yes that means we motored, good grief we're a sailboat and no wind. I need to do a wind god dance I guess.

Our friends on Bamboo are in catalina on a ball for 36.00 a night hmmm seems a bit to southern cal for me,but then i`m told I am thrifty or cheap.

Dick and Carol
SV/Plumas

Still in Santa Barbara

Decided to stay here one more night. Foggy and fog horn maybe 50 yards from us. So much for sleeping peacefully. Walked good half mile to laundry here at the marina. Large marina and we are at the opposite end from store, laundry. Bought groceries last night. Went in the wrong direction and had to double back. It is said that walking is a great form of exercise, but I personally don't want to exercise. Dick has lost some weight with all the walking and being on a moving boat so much. Saw a Sambo's resturant last night....thought that chain was history. Should have taken a picture. We stopped at a Sushi deli here at the marina for lunch. Really good food and yes ours was all cooked. Had chicken teryaki, spiced tuna roll, california roll, salad and tempura vegtables for $8.50. Ate outdoors and watched the activity on the boardwalk and boats. Weather is warmer and enjoying the sunshine. We were cold a good deal of the time boating prior to Point Conception. Now we are warm and hope to stay warm. Just warm, not Hot.....

Santa Barbara

Left Morro Bay and motored (yes I said motored) to an anchorage 1.5 miles past Point Conception called Cojo Anchorage. Point Conception is referred to as the Cape Horn of the Pacific. Sure glad it was calm for us. Spent the night and left about 0900 in the fog headed for Santa Barbara, CA. Talked with Bamboo and they plan to check out some of the islands in the area. We chose to head for Santa Barbara. Fog cleared around noon and no problems along the way. Noticed so many pinnipeds prior to rounding Point Conception, then weather got much warmer, but fur seals, sea lions etc. seem to prefer the cooler temperatures. As we got close to Santa Barbara we noticed many wind surfers. What a show they put on. Anchored last night, but got a slip for tonight. We need to get some groceries and do laundry. Long hot showers sure feel good also.

Hearst Castle

Took an extra day to tour Hearst Castle. Started with dial a ride that took us from the marina to city park for only a dollar each. Then within fifteen minutes, boarded bus that goes to San Simeon. That also only cost us a dollar each. Ride was scenic and pleasant. Different view of beaches and local businesses. Difficult to describe everything we saw, but would highly recommend seeing Hearst Castle if given the opportunity. Here at Morro Bay we sit out in the cockpit and watch pelicans catching smelt. They dive into the water with such force it is scary. Keep thinking they will break something or knock themselves out. Really amazing to watch. So graceful when flying, but trip over their on feet on land. Guess that is why they stay on the water. We are now headed toward Santa Barbara.

still motoring

Hard to believe we are still motoring. 1100 miles down the coast and not one day with wind to sail. Left Eureka, CA monday 9-17-08. Thirty hours later arrived Bodega Bay. It was then Dick decided no matter how long it took...we would get an auto pilot. We took time to catch up on sleep. Met up with some fellow boaters that we met in New Port,OR. Caught up on where we've been and our next planned destinations. Got our auto pilot installed on Tuesday and left on Wednesday for 20 hour trip to Santa Cruz, CA. Got in about 0400 and just stayed at the fuel dock. (Still motoring) Had breakfast at a cafe called El Palomar. It was excellent! Right on the beach. Met up with s/v Bamboo and we proceded to San Simeon to anchor for the night. Once again...got beat up by following and beating seas. When is the fun going to begin? lol San Simeon the next morning was beautiful. Couldn't see a thing but the castle and marker bouys when we arrived at 0100. Left sunday for four hour trip to Morro Bay, CA. .
Staying at Morro Bay Yacht Club for next couple of days. Many restaurants, shopping and shuttles to get to grocery store, post office etc. MBYC members are so nice and helpful. Bodega Bay offered nothing and the same with San Simeon Bay, so it is really nice to have some ammenities.

bird

day 14

Hi again
Well thought we would be in San Francisco 7 to 10 day`s? what was we thinking! entered Crescent city in very dense fog hoping the chart plotter would do what it was supposed to do,both entering and leaving at 0400 in the morning,24 hrs later,chose to leave early so would not have to enter eureka in the dark.

the bar crossing at Humboldt bay was harrowing to say the least(8-10 ft rollers with ebb tide) made it in and was so happy! dick got sick earlier in the day,but survived thanks to soda crackers and a very kind wife.

It has been very cold and miserable but have fixed that problem with a fan mounted to bring the engine heat to the cockpit,now if it works.

We did have a wonderful experience as I was driving about 6 miles from shore this very tiny land bird landed on the wheel and made himself at home for about :45 min even took a nap on the seat next to me checked every nook and cranny on the boat an left then about a half hour later yet another bird landed,both very small land birds,rested an left,wow so cool.

Arrived at the bar at 1600 hrs then :45 min to the dock met up with friends on island grace an faith,so enjoyed happy hour an told and heard all the harrowing tales.

Day 13

Hard to believe it has been 13 days since we left Tacoma, Wa. Due to weather, we have yet to sail. Motoring all the way so far. We awoke ravenous. Didn't eat a meal yesterday. Just soup, sandwich, and for Dick, PayDay candy bars. Breakfast of sausage, biscuits, lumpy gravy and home fries....told you we were ravenous. Planned to check out town, but just to tired. Rested all this day. Watched gulls, pelicans, and very large sea lions at stern of fishing boat eating fish remains being thrown overboard. Sea lions very vocal between coarses. Catching up on E-mails, phone calls while we are at the dock.

day 12

Thursday 9-11-08 Day 12.....Left Charleston, OR about 0700. Saw three other boats that left about the same time. Calm, sunny for 3 to 4 hours and then the fog rolled in and could no longer see the others. Radio contact with Bamboo (Tim and Michelle Lutman) throughout the day. They plan to continue on, while we plan to stop for the night in Brookings, OR. It got dark and Brookings we felt was to dangerous to try to enter at night. Lots of rocks and narrow, shallow entrance. Decided to try for Cresent City, CA. Still motoring. Dick worn out from so many hours at the helm. I assist, but only did about 3 of 22 hours at the helm. Arrived Cresent City at 0400. Couldn,t get to bed quick enough. Thought we would never get warm again. Will try to post some pictures....if we ever get warm enough to take some.

New Port, OR to Charleston,OR

We finally left Newport, OR on monday. It was a nice place and the marina was clean and inexpensive. Eighteen dollars a day for all the ammenities. After a 12 hour day of following seas 10 to 12 feet in height, being tossed around like rag dolls and a touch of motion sickness we finally made it 95 miles to Charleston,OR. Another eighteen dollar a day marina, but not quite so nice. It is primarily a marina for fishing boats. Had a great breakfast this morning at the marina cafe. We are watching for a clear weather window to head for Cresent City, CA, then around Cape Mendecino. Worst of trip is then supposed to be behaind us. I sure hope so. I am keeping a log and will try to keep up to date entries on our blog also.

newport,or

Well we made it to newport,ore, wornout dead tired,but we woke the next day and started talking and things are looking good!

The trip to here was somewhat of a mixed bag from hrs and hrs of slow motoring and very flat seas to gusty winds that rocked us from 30 degree port heal to 30 degree starboard heel for about 15 hours straight. The inside of the boat and us looked like we had been thru a terrible ordeal.....................we had.

We now have 600 mi to san francisco and are being held up by gale force winds in the south of ore,so leaving here is postponed till sunday, we hope.