We've been on our trip for a whole month now, and we've gotten all the way to San Diego. Whee.
I zoomed down to the copy place in Chula Vista this morning, ran off ten copies of the log, stuck them in the envelopes, and mailed them right there. Then I crossed the street and had my hair cut, so I won't have to carry 20 pounds of foliage around on my head in the tropics. Returned to San Diego, took the bus to Old Town, and bought flags for Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize, forgetting that we already had a Panamanian flag on the boat. Oh well, we can probably sell the extra to another cruiser.
Bought a few groceries and returned to the boat. Roy was gone. Turned out he'd finished mounting the solar panels, and while he was testing them, he went over to George Monier's boat for a pleasant visit.
Roy wants to test the solar panels again tomorrow, so we're going to stay here tonight, take the boat to the City Dock tomorrow, and leave for Mexico Wednesday. So far the solar panels are doing a good job.
I laid out our course, non-stop to Cabo San Lucas. Of course, we can always detour into a harbor if we want to.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, March 14, 1993 - San Diego, CA
What a beautiful day! Perfect temperature. Clear. Lovely scenery.
Wanted to run off copies of the log, but the only copy place that was open didn't have double-sided machines. Went all the way down to Chula Vista, to the good place where I used to copy the log, but it was closed. At least I was able to buy some fish at the good fish market down there. And now I know where the bus stop is. To my surprise, it's closer to a bus from here than it was from Silver Gate.
On my way back, I bought a bunch of manila envelopes. Addressed them all, so as soon as I copy the log tomorrow, I'll be able to bop the copies into envelopes and mail them.
Roy spent the day mounting the solar panels and doing a little painting on the sides of the boat. Unfortunately, he got caught by the security guard (exterior painting is a no-no here).
Wanted to run off copies of the log, but the only copy place that was open didn't have double-sided machines. Went all the way down to Chula Vista, to the good place where I used to copy the log, but it was closed. At least I was able to buy some fish at the good fish market down there. And now I know where the bus stop is. To my surprise, it's closer to a bus from here than it was from Silver Gate.
On my way back, I bought a bunch of manila envelopes. Addressed them all, so as soon as I copy the log tomorrow, I'll be able to bop the copies into envelopes and mail them.
Roy spent the day mounting the solar panels and doing a little painting on the sides of the boat. Unfortunately, he got caught by the security guard (exterior painting is a no-no here).
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Saturday, March 13, 1993 - San Diego, CA
Roy rode his bike to the Post Office and got his mail. I returned the key and paid our bill. We've decided to go to the marina George Monier's at instead of down to Chula Vista. That turned out to be a mistake; it's $23 a night at Cabrillo Isles Marina. Paid for two nights. On Monday, we can go back to the City Dock.
Stopped at the fuel dock on the way to Cabrillo Isles. Filled the tank and all the rest of the jerry cans, so now we have 100 gallons of diesel.
After we got settled in the marina, we went to the deli for lunch. Roy accidentally went to the ladies' room to wash his hands! There was a woman in there washing her face, but that didn't stop him. (Lucky all he wanted to do was wash his hands!)
There's a laundry room here, so I washed all the clothes, while Roy started working on the solar panels.
Someone gave us a grapefruit, and someone left a can of lobster bisque on the deck. Had it for supper. Yuck!
Stopped at the fuel dock on the way to Cabrillo Isles. Filled the tank and all the rest of the jerry cans, so now we have 100 gallons of diesel.
After we got settled in the marina, we went to the deli for lunch. Roy accidentally went to the ladies' room to wash his hands! There was a woman in there washing her face, but that didn't stop him. (Lucky all he wanted to do was wash his hands!)
There's a laundry room here, so I washed all the clothes, while Roy started working on the solar panels.
Someone gave us a grapefruit, and someone left a can of lobster bisque on the deck. Had it for supper. Yuck!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Friday, March 12, 1993 - San Diego, CA
Roy rode his bicycle all over the place this morning trying to find Solar Electronics, so he could buy some solar panels. He went to the address shown in their ad, but they weren't there. Then he went on a wild goose chase. Finally, someone phoned them and found out they're miles away, off I-5.
Fortunately, one of the small marine-supply stores, Downwind Marine, makes a pickup truck available to cruisers for free, so we borrowed it and drove out to Solar Electronics. Bought two solar panels and a regulator.
The gas gauge showed nearly empty, so we stopped at a station, but we couldn't get the tank to accept any gas. The attendant said it was full. Weird.
Took the solar stuff to the boat and then went to Von's and bought a ton of groceries. Took them back to the boat.
While I was putting the groceries away, Roy took the truck back to Downwind and told them about the gas gauge. They said another customer had reported the same problem a few days ago. So we're not totally insane.
Fortunately, one of the small marine-supply stores, Downwind Marine, makes a pickup truck available to cruisers for free, so we borrowed it and drove out to Solar Electronics. Bought two solar panels and a regulator.
The gas gauge showed nearly empty, so we stopped at a station, but we couldn't get the tank to accept any gas. The attendant said it was full. Weird.
Took the solar stuff to the boat and then went to Von's and bought a ton of groceries. Took them back to the boat.
While I was putting the groceries away, Roy took the truck back to Downwind and told them about the gas gauge. They said another customer had reported the same problem a few days ago. So we're not totally insane.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Thursday, March 11, 1993 - San Diego/Tiajuana
DOOD IT!
Everything went beautifully today. Left right after breakfast and zoomed straight to San Ysidro (two hours). When I got to the border, I splurged $1.25 and took a bus to downtown instead of walking, thinking I'd save a few minutes. Didn't save much time, because she took a circuitous route, but at least I saw some different scenery. As soon as I got off the bus, I walked over to where all the local buses stop. Almost immediately, I saw the bus I was looking for and got on it. (The fares here are higher than in other parts of Mexico: 1100 old pesos, or about 35 cents U.S.) There are buses that would have taken me closer, but this one took me within walking distance. Got off at the right stop and walked in exactly the right direction. Didn't make a single wrong turn! Considering that most of the streets don't have names on them and they twist in every direction, this is pretty remarkable. Just about the time I began thinking I must be headed in the wrong direction, I saw the tower that's next to the building and headed right to it.
Sr. Rivero met me at the door. He was very pleasant and courteous. Unfortunately, his secretary had just left for lunch (it was 12 o'clock), and the poor man was hopelessly lost without her, so I offered to return in an hour. He accepted the offer gratefully.
I spent the hour wandering around the neighborhood and eating my trail bars. At one, I returned to the office (which, incidentally, doesn't have any kind of sign or even a number on the door, so if yesterday's cab driver hadn't shown me where it was, I might never have found it). There were a lot of other people there this time, but the secretary hadn't returned. She arrived about 1:20. (Nothing like working 9 to 2:30 with an hour and a half for lunch!) She took care of another client and then got to me. She had an electric typewriter, but the correcting ribbon didn't work, so she had to erase! She didn't even have White-Out or that paper stuff. When she had too many erasures, she tore up the paper and started over, so it took her the better part of an hour to type the one-page letter. A nice new computer and printer were sitting nearby, but she didn't know how to use the word-processing program. The whole thing would have been so simple with a word processor. She could have had the whole letter on file and just plugged in the name, address, call sign, and date. It wouldn't have taken three minutes. But maybe that would make it harder to justify the outrageous fee of 221 new pesos ($73.67). She did mention, however, that someone would be coming down in a few days to teach her how to use the word-processor.
(The Mexican government has dropped the last 3 zeroes from their money. The 50,000 peso note is now 50 pesos. However, during the transition period, they are continuing to accept money already in circulation, distinguishing the two by referring to them as "old pesos" and "new pesos".)
Anyway, I finally got my XE2 (Mexican license). That is, I got a letter saying I could use my U.S. call sign (KC6ZNU) plus XE2 to transmit while in Mexico.
Strolled back to the bus stop, caught a bus to El Centro (downtown), walked across the border, ate lunch at McDonald's, and took the trolley back to San Diego.
In the meantime, Roy had mounted the wind-speed-and-direction indicator. He's really making progress.
We have permission from the Port Captain to stay here at Silver Gate until Saturday. Then we'll probably head down to Chula Vista. We hope to leave for Mexico on Tuesday.
Everything went beautifully today. Left right after breakfast and zoomed straight to San Ysidro (two hours). When I got to the border, I splurged $1.25 and took a bus to downtown instead of walking, thinking I'd save a few minutes. Didn't save much time, because she took a circuitous route, but at least I saw some different scenery. As soon as I got off the bus, I walked over to where all the local buses stop. Almost immediately, I saw the bus I was looking for and got on it. (The fares here are higher than in other parts of Mexico: 1100 old pesos, or about 35 cents U.S.) There are buses that would have taken me closer, but this one took me within walking distance. Got off at the right stop and walked in exactly the right direction. Didn't make a single wrong turn! Considering that most of the streets don't have names on them and they twist in every direction, this is pretty remarkable. Just about the time I began thinking I must be headed in the wrong direction, I saw the tower that's next to the building and headed right to it.
Sr. Rivero met me at the door. He was very pleasant and courteous. Unfortunately, his secretary had just left for lunch (it was 12 o'clock), and the poor man was hopelessly lost without her, so I offered to return in an hour. He accepted the offer gratefully.
I spent the hour wandering around the neighborhood and eating my trail bars. At one, I returned to the office (which, incidentally, doesn't have any kind of sign or even a number on the door, so if yesterday's cab driver hadn't shown me where it was, I might never have found it). There were a lot of other people there this time, but the secretary hadn't returned. She arrived about 1:20. (Nothing like working 9 to 2:30 with an hour and a half for lunch!) She took care of another client and then got to me. She had an electric typewriter, but the correcting ribbon didn't work, so she had to erase! She didn't even have White-Out or that paper stuff. When she had too many erasures, she tore up the paper and started over, so it took her the better part of an hour to type the one-page letter. A nice new computer and printer were sitting nearby, but she didn't know how to use the word-processing program. The whole thing would have been so simple with a word processor. She could have had the whole letter on file and just plugged in the name, address, call sign, and date. It wouldn't have taken three minutes. But maybe that would make it harder to justify the outrageous fee of 221 new pesos ($73.67). She did mention, however, that someone would be coming down in a few days to teach her how to use the word-processor.
(The Mexican government has dropped the last 3 zeroes from their money. The 50,000 peso note is now 50 pesos. However, during the transition period, they are continuing to accept money already in circulation, distinguishing the two by referring to them as "old pesos" and "new pesos".)
Anyway, I finally got my XE2 (Mexican license). That is, I got a letter saying I could use my U.S. call sign (KC6ZNU) plus XE2 to transmit while in Mexico.
Strolled back to the bus stop, caught a bus to El Centro (downtown), walked across the border, ate lunch at McDonald's, and took the trolley back to San Diego.
In the meantime, Roy had mounted the wind-speed-and-direction indicator. He's really making progress.
We have permission from the Port Captain to stay here at Silver Gate until Saturday. Then we'll probably head down to Chula Vista. We hope to leave for Mexico on Tuesday.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Wednesday, March 10, 1993 - San Diego/Tiajuana
Roy and I both still have miserable colds and coughs.
Listened to the VHF net on channel 68 at 9. Mike of Pacific Marine was net coordinator, so I asked him about a bus to SCT for my Mexican ham license. He said to take a cab.
So I set off on my Tiajuana adventure, bound and determined to take a bus. Why spend all that money on a cab, when I can ride a bus for a few cents?
To make a long story short, I spent hours wandering around Tiajuana, watching zillions of buses going by, but none seemed to be going where I wanted to go. I asked at two tourist information offices, asked bus drivers (in Spanish), and even ventured to use one of the crazy public phones to call the bus company, but to no avail. At 3 o'clock, I gave up and took a cab. The place closed at 4:30, so I didn't have any more time to waste. Ha, ha! I'd misread it; it closed at 1430 (2:30), not 4:30, so by the time I got there, it was locked up tight.
Oh well, tomorrow's another day. Saw zillions of buses running around when I was up there in the cab, and by craning my neck, I was able to read the name on one of them. Something like "Pereferico".
Listened to the VHF net on channel 68 at 9. Mike of Pacific Marine was net coordinator, so I asked him about a bus to SCT for my Mexican ham license. He said to take a cab.
So I set off on my Tiajuana adventure, bound and determined to take a bus. Why spend all that money on a cab, when I can ride a bus for a few cents?
To make a long story short, I spent hours wandering around Tiajuana, watching zillions of buses going by, but none seemed to be going where I wanted to go. I asked at two tourist information offices, asked bus drivers (in Spanish), and even ventured to use one of the crazy public phones to call the bus company, but to no avail. At 3 o'clock, I gave up and took a cab. The place closed at 4:30, so I didn't have any more time to waste. Ha, ha! I'd misread it; it closed at 1430 (2:30), not 4:30, so by the time I got there, it was locked up tight.
Oh well, tomorrow's another day. Saw zillions of buses running around when I was up there in the cab, and by craning my neck, I was able to read the name on one of them. Something like "Pereferico".
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 9, 1993 - San Diego, CA
The Manana Net came in loud and clear this morning. I signed on and asked about taking a boat into Mexico without having the papers stamped in advance. They were very nice. Someone told me those papers are no longer needed. Just take the crew list to the Port Captain. That makes me feel a lot better. Someone else asked if I'd gotten my XE2 (Mexican ham license) yet. I said I was going to Tiajuana tomorrow to get it. Mike at Pacific Marine came on and said to come by the store and he'd give me directions.
I went to Pacific Marine that afternoon, but Mike had left for the day. The woman who was there xeroxed the map and directions for me. Unfortunately, they're driving directions. I asked about a city bus, but she didn't know.
Went to a copy place and made the copies of my license and tourist card that I'll need tomorrow. Bought a few groceries, but forgot fish.
Roy finished working on the chain washer. Tomorrow he'll install the wind speed and direction indicator.
Talked with my daughter Nancy on the phone about her and Jim joining us in Mexico. It's going to be tricky to coordinate, because when we arrive at a certain place depends on the weather and other factors over which we have no control. Suggested the possibility of their going through the Panama Canal with us.
(That would have been a great if we had made it.)
I went to Pacific Marine that afternoon, but Mike had left for the day. The woman who was there xeroxed the map and directions for me. Unfortunately, they're driving directions. I asked about a city bus, but she didn't know.
Went to a copy place and made the copies of my license and tourist card that I'll need tomorrow. Bought a few groceries, but forgot fish.
Roy finished working on the chain washer. Tomorrow he'll install the wind speed and direction indicator.
Talked with my daughter Nancy on the phone about her and Jim joining us in Mexico. It's going to be tricky to coordinate, because when we arrive at a certain place depends on the weather and other factors over which we have no control. Suggested the possibility of their going through the Panama Canal with us.
(That would have been a great if we had made it.)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Monday, March 8, 1993 - San Diego, CA
Got up early and moved the boat to Silver Gate in a dead calm. Oh boy! Back to Silver Gate's luxurious restrooms and showers! After we leave here, we're not likely to enjoy such top-notch facilities until we reach Florida.
Took our passports and ship's papers down to the Mexican Consulate to get our tourist cards and have the ship's papers processed. To my surprise, I was told it was no longer necessary to have the papers stamped in the U.S.---just take them to the Port Captain at our first port of entry. This makes me uneasy, because I've been given misinformation at the consulate before. I can just see us arriving in Ensenada and being sent all the way back to San Diego to get our papers stamped.
I asked about a Mexican ham radio license and was given the name and phone number of a man in Tiajuana. (Last year, they told me I didn't need a Mexican license.) I phoned Downwind Marine, and they said the license is still required.
Roy spent most of the day working on the chain washer. Just about has it finished.
A lot cooler today, but still nice.
Took our passports and ship's papers down to the Mexican Consulate to get our tourist cards and have the ship's papers processed. To my surprise, I was told it was no longer necessary to have the papers stamped in the U.S.---just take them to the Port Captain at our first port of entry. This makes me uneasy, because I've been given misinformation at the consulate before. I can just see us arriving in Ensenada and being sent all the way back to San Diego to get our papers stamped.
I asked about a Mexican ham radio license and was given the name and phone number of a man in Tiajuana. (Last year, they told me I didn't need a Mexican license.) I phoned Downwind Marine, and they said the license is still required.
Roy spent most of the day working on the chain washer. Just about has it finished.
A lot cooler today, but still nice.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Sunday, March 7, 1993 - San Diego, CA
Glorious, glorious day! Warm, but with a good breeze to keep it from getting too hot. Blue sky and water, green grass and trees--such a beautiful place! Everything would be perfect if it weren't for these stupid colds. Roy isn't completely over his, and mine is worse.
Nevertheless, we got a lot done. Roy bought a new pump for the chain washer and got it partly installed. I wrote another letter to Chodar, who owned the Jofian before Stoner, got the charts and GPS ready for our trip to Ensenada, rode my bike to Von's and bought a few groceries. We walked over to the Kona Kai Yacht Club to see if we could stay at their guest dock, but it was full. Then we went down to Silver Gate. They'll have an opening in the morning, so we'll move then.
Later, we went back to Kona Kai to see the three Russian boats that are tied up there. They're replicas of boats used by Bering and other early explorers. But they have engines, radar, GPS, etc. Even so, we wondered how they got this far. They're made of cheap lumber, nails, and rusty iron. They have a very low center freeboard. They're 50 feet long but don't have keels and only draw 4 feet. Looks as if they'd founder in the first storm.
The boats are named St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Gabriel. Each boat has a carved figurehead of her namesake, backed by a rather large cross. The boats are painted red, green, and blue. The Russians are planning on sailing all over the world on a mission of peace and friendship. They'll visit 153 countries. The club was having a reception and dinner for them tonight, but we just looked at the boats and went back to the Jofian.
Nevertheless, we got a lot done. Roy bought a new pump for the chain washer and got it partly installed. I wrote another letter to Chodar, who owned the Jofian before Stoner, got the charts and GPS ready for our trip to Ensenada, rode my bike to Von's and bought a few groceries. We walked over to the Kona Kai Yacht Club to see if we could stay at their guest dock, but it was full. Then we went down to Silver Gate. They'll have an opening in the morning, so we'll move then.
Later, we went back to Kona Kai to see the three Russian boats that are tied up there. They're replicas of boats used by Bering and other early explorers. But they have engines, radar, GPS, etc. Even so, we wondered how they got this far. They're made of cheap lumber, nails, and rusty iron. They have a very low center freeboard. They're 50 feet long but don't have keels and only draw 4 feet. Looks as if they'd founder in the first storm.
The boats are named St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Gabriel. Each boat has a carved figurehead of her namesake, backed by a rather large cross. The boats are painted red, green, and blue. The Russians are planning on sailing all over the world on a mission of peace and friendship. They'll visit 153 countries. The club was having a reception and dinner for them tonight, but we just looked at the boats and went back to the Jofian.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Saturday, March 6, 1993 - San Diego, CA
Another beautiful, warm, sunny day. Assembled our bikes and rode them to the main post office. Got the mail that Kathy had forwarded to me, but Roy didn't get any mail.
Returned to the boat and put our bikes on the deck. Then we walked back to Rosecrans and rode the bus to the train station. Got there around noon and relaxed, waiting for the 12:40 train. Then I noticed a sign saying there wouldn't be any train service between Los Angeles and San Diego until March 10th! Yikes! I hurried over to the Information booth and was told a large mudslide had covered the tracks during the last heavy rain, so train passengers were being bused to San Diego from the slide area and would arrive on schedule.
12:40 came and went. No Jeanette. Around one there were some totally unintelligible announcements on the public address system. I went over to the ticket window to find out what they'd said and was told they were just testing the system. Then I asked what time the 12:40 would arrive and was told 1:30.
Sure enough, at 1:30 there was Jeanette, looking really good. We took her down to Chula Vista on the trolley to eat lunch at our old favorite, the Soup Exchange. Delicious as ever.
By the time we got back to the boat, it was after five, and Jeanette had to catch the 9:05 bus-train. We took her for a little sail on the bay. It was a perfect night for sailing: light breeze and bright moon. Jeanette greatly enjoyed it.
Returned to the dock about 7:30. Walked back to Rosecrans (2 or 3 miles) to catch the 8:30 bus. Got to the Amtrak station 10 minutes before the 9:05 left.
All in all, a very pleasant day.
Roy is feeling much better. He gave his cold to me.
(Jeanette was upset that her train ride along the coast became a bus ride.)
Returned to the boat and put our bikes on the deck. Then we walked back to Rosecrans and rode the bus to the train station. Got there around noon and relaxed, waiting for the 12:40 train. Then I noticed a sign saying there wouldn't be any train service between Los Angeles and San Diego until March 10th! Yikes! I hurried over to the Information booth and was told a large mudslide had covered the tracks during the last heavy rain, so train passengers were being bused to San Diego from the slide area and would arrive on schedule.
12:40 came and went. No Jeanette. Around one there were some totally unintelligible announcements on the public address system. I went over to the ticket window to find out what they'd said and was told they were just testing the system. Then I asked what time the 12:40 would arrive and was told 1:30.
Sure enough, at 1:30 there was Jeanette, looking really good. We took her down to Chula Vista on the trolley to eat lunch at our old favorite, the Soup Exchange. Delicious as ever.
By the time we got back to the boat, it was after five, and Jeanette had to catch the 9:05 bus-train. We took her for a little sail on the bay. It was a perfect night for sailing: light breeze and bright moon. Jeanette greatly enjoyed it.
Returned to the dock about 7:30. Walked back to Rosecrans (2 or 3 miles) to catch the 8:30 bus. Got to the Amtrak station 10 minutes before the 9:05 left.
All in all, a very pleasant day.
Roy is feeling much better. He gave his cold to me.
(Jeanette was upset that her train ride along the coast became a bus ride.)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Friday, March 5, 1993 - San Diego, CA
Left at 8:30. Gloriously sunny day. Reached Point Loma at two and the end of Shelter Island where Silver Gate Yacht Club is at three. We hoped to get tied up fast and high-tail it to the Post Office to get our mail before it closed.
Then things started getting weird. There were so many docks and boats that we couldn't locate the Silver Gate Yacht Club. We were almost to the end of the channel, so we tied to an empty end dock. It turned out to belong to the Fraser Yacht Brokerage, which we had passed on the street side many times walking from Silver Gate to stores and back. However, the woman in the office insisted Silver Gate was on the other side of the channel, past the San Diego Yacht Club. I phoned the club on a public phone and was told it was right where it had always been. I asked about a guest dock and was told I'd have to phone the dockmaster, but when I tried to do so, all I got was an answering machine. I went back to the Fraser office to see if we could stay where we were for a couple of hours, while we went to the Post Office. She said we could, but we'd have to be back before 5, because she locked everything up tight then. Not much chance of our getting back that fast. There was a man in the office who joined the conversation. Like the woman, he insisted Silver Gate was on the other side of the channel. They were both so positive, I began wondering if I was losing my marbles. Fortunately, after we left the Fraser dock, we saw the Silver Gate Yacht Club right where it had always been. We even saw a sign pointing to their guest dock, but it was full, so we decided to go to the City Dock for the night. It's only $5.
By the time we got tied up and registered, it was too late to go to the Post Office, but I phoned and found out they're open Saturday, so we can get our mail in the morning.
Phoned Jeanette. She's coming down on Amtrak tomorrow. We'll meet her at the station at 12:40.
Then things started getting weird. There were so many docks and boats that we couldn't locate the Silver Gate Yacht Club. We were almost to the end of the channel, so we tied to an empty end dock. It turned out to belong to the Fraser Yacht Brokerage, which we had passed on the street side many times walking from Silver Gate to stores and back. However, the woman in the office insisted Silver Gate was on the other side of the channel, past the San Diego Yacht Club. I phoned the club on a public phone and was told it was right where it had always been. I asked about a guest dock and was told I'd have to phone the dockmaster, but when I tried to do so, all I got was an answering machine. I went back to the Fraser office to see if we could stay where we were for a couple of hours, while we went to the Post Office. She said we could, but we'd have to be back before 5, because she locked everything up tight then. Not much chance of our getting back that fast. There was a man in the office who joined the conversation. Like the woman, he insisted Silver Gate was on the other side of the channel. They were both so positive, I began wondering if I was losing my marbles. Fortunately, after we left the Fraser dock, we saw the Silver Gate Yacht Club right where it had always been. We even saw a sign pointing to their guest dock, but it was full, so we decided to go to the City Dock for the night. It's only $5.
By the time we got tied up and registered, it was too late to go to the Post Office, but I phoned and found out they're open Saturday, so we can get our mail in the morning.
Phoned Jeanette. She's coming down on Amtrak tomorrow. We'll meet her at the station at 12:40.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Thursday, March 4, 1993 - Oceanside, CA
The day started with a mystery. When Roy tried to start the engine, it barely turned over. The batteries seemed to be half dead, which is strange, since they're brand new batteries and they get charged while the engine's running. Fortunately, he soon discovered he'd accidentally flipped a switch that changed the power source from the two big batteries to one small battery. As soon as he flipped it back, the engine started no problem.
Had another surprise shortly after we left Corona del Mar. To seaward of us, a good two miles off shore, a guy paddled by, lying on his stomach on a surfboard! He was really moving, too. Roy said he appeared to be going to Catalina, twenty miles away. He'll probably get there before we get to Oceanside. It's calm, warm, and smoggy. Had to motor all the way.
Arrived at 3 o'clock and tied to the Oceanside Yacht Club guest dock, which was waiting for us, completely empty.
After registering, we strolled around to the other side of the harbor, recognizing various things from our previous visit. We were amazed to discover that the road across the river was completely gone! It had been washed away by the floods. It had been a nice new, smooth road when we walked on it three years ago. Now the river runs unhindered to the sea.
Roy still feels miserable, so we returned to the boat, ate supper, and relaxed. Tomorrow, San Diego at last!
Had another surprise shortly after we left Corona del Mar. To seaward of us, a good two miles off shore, a guy paddled by, lying on his stomach on a surfboard! He was really moving, too. Roy said he appeared to be going to Catalina, twenty miles away. He'll probably get there before we get to Oceanside. It's calm, warm, and smoggy. Had to motor all the way.
Arrived at 3 o'clock and tied to the Oceanside Yacht Club guest dock, which was waiting for us, completely empty.
After registering, we strolled around to the other side of the harbor, recognizing various things from our previous visit. We were amazed to discover that the road across the river was completely gone! It had been washed away by the floods. It had been a nice new, smooth road when we walked on it three years ago. Now the river runs unhindered to the sea.
Roy still feels miserable, so we returned to the boat, ate supper, and relaxed. Tomorrow, San Diego at last!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 3, 1993 - Corona del Mar, CA
Very calm again. As soon as we reached Palos Verdes, we were out of the smog. Blue sky and sunshine! We can breathe again! And it's so nice and warm!
Motorsailed to Corona del Mar, arriving just as the sun slid behind the horizon. Tied to the Balboa Yacht Club dock. A very nice young man came down immediately, registered us, assigned us a guest berth, and even helped us tie up.
From Cojo to San Diego is the easiest part of the trip. We're protected from the open seas by the Channel Islands, there are plenty of harbors to overnight in, lots of luxurious yacht clubs to enjoy, easy access to stores, etc. All this will change as soon as we cross the border. We won't have it so good again until we reach Florida.
Talked with Jeanette on the phone. She wants to come down to see us in San Diego.
Talked with Nancy's answering machine.
When Roy went up to take a shower, he took the portable electric heater with him, but as soon as he turned it on, all the lights blew out! Fortunately, he had a flashlight with him.
Motorsailed to Corona del Mar, arriving just as the sun slid behind the horizon. Tied to the Balboa Yacht Club dock. A very nice young man came down immediately, registered us, assigned us a guest berth, and even helped us tie up.
From Cojo to San Diego is the easiest part of the trip. We're protected from the open seas by the Channel Islands, there are plenty of harbors to overnight in, lots of luxurious yacht clubs to enjoy, easy access to stores, etc. All this will change as soon as we cross the border. We won't have it so good again until we reach Florida.
Talked with Jeanette on the phone. She wants to come down to see us in San Diego.
Talked with Nancy's answering machine.
When Roy went up to take a shower, he took the portable electric heater with him, but as soon as he turned it on, all the lights blew out! Fortunately, he had a flashlight with him.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 2, 1993 - Santa Monica, CA
Very calm today. The sails just flopped around. Motored to Santa Monica. Ran into--ugh--smog as soon as we passed Point Dume. So smoggy we could scarcely see the shore. Visibility maybe 2 or 3 miles. How do people stand to live down here?
Tied to the public dock in Marina del Rey about 4:30. I walked over to the Santa Monica Yacht Club to see if they had a guest slip available. We had stayed there a couple of times before, but this time they didn't have a vacancy. Phoned a couple of other yacht clubs. One is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The other had a dock we could tie to, but there wouldn't be anyone there after five o'clock to give us a key. By then, it was ten to five, and I doubted we could even find the place in ten minutes (this is a huge marina), so we decided to stay at the public dock. It cost $20, but at least we were close to stores.
Walked over to the shopping center and bought a few things at West Marine and a drugstore. Then we decided to eat supper at the terrific salad bar we'd been to two or three times previously. We couldn't remember the name of the place, but we sure remembered the food! Roy didn't remember how to get there, in fact he didn't even think it was in Santa Monica, but I took him straight to it. The name turned out to be "Soup Plantation". No wonder we couldn't remember it! Anyway, the food was as delicious as ever, especially the muffins.
Roy still feels crummy.
Tried twice to phone Jeanette and Nancy, and Roy tried to phone his brother Ken. No luck.
Tied to the public dock in Marina del Rey about 4:30. I walked over to the Santa Monica Yacht Club to see if they had a guest slip available. We had stayed there a couple of times before, but this time they didn't have a vacancy. Phoned a couple of other yacht clubs. One is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The other had a dock we could tie to, but there wouldn't be anyone there after five o'clock to give us a key. By then, it was ten to five, and I doubted we could even find the place in ten minutes (this is a huge marina), so we decided to stay at the public dock. It cost $20, but at least we were close to stores.
Walked over to the shopping center and bought a few things at West Marine and a drugstore. Then we decided to eat supper at the terrific salad bar we'd been to two or three times previously. We couldn't remember the name of the place, but we sure remembered the food! Roy didn't remember how to get there, in fact he didn't even think it was in Santa Monica, but I took him straight to it. The name turned out to be "Soup Plantation". No wonder we couldn't remember it! Anyway, the food was as delicious as ever, especially the muffins.
Roy still feels crummy.
Tried twice to phone Jeanette and Nancy, and Roy tried to phone his brother Ken. No luck.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Monday, March 1, 1993 - Channel Islands, CA
Not much wind today. Had to motorsail to Channel Islands Harbor. Got there around 3 p.m. Tied to the fuel dock and refilled our tank and jerry cans.
I tried to phone a couple of yacht clubs but got nothing but machines. We decided to putt-putt up and down the channel and try to spot a yacht club with a vacant guest dock. The first one we approached didn't have a guest dock, but a man on a boat told us to try the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club down by the bridge. That was one I had phoned, and the message had said it was closed on Mondays, but we went down there anyway. Sure enough, there was a long, empty guest dock, so we tied up.
The gate on the gangplank could be opened from our side but not from the outside without a key, so Roy stayed on the boat while I wandered around looking for the office. Sure enough, the yacht club was closed, but right next to it was the Pacific Corinthian Marina, and the women in the office there registered us and gave us the key.
We had the yacht club all to ourselves! And it was a really nice one. Restrooms, showers, laundry, even a swimming pool. It was a little cool for a swim, but we washed two loads of clothes.
Roy and I walked over to the shopping center, bopped some money out of an ATM, and bought a few groceries.
After supper, I phoned my daughter Kathy and found out the Bill of Sale from Michael Stoner had arrived! I could scarcely believe it, and neither could Roy. We've been trying for years to document the boat but were unable to do so because we lacked a Bill of Sale from the previous owner. All our attempts to locate him had failed. Then, just a few days before we left Richmond, I phoned the Federal Bureau of Prisons in San Francisco and found out they would forward a letter to him, so I wrote immediately. (He's on parole for drug-running.) And he actually filled out the Bill of Sale and had it notarized! I asked Kathy to mail it to General Delivery in San Diego, so it should be waiting for us when we get there.
Kathy also told me that my daughter Nancy and her husband Jim are going to fly down to Mexico and go sailing with us. That will be fun!
Everything would be perfect if it weren't for the fact that Roy has a miserable cold, or maybe the flu.
I tried to phone a couple of yacht clubs but got nothing but machines. We decided to putt-putt up and down the channel and try to spot a yacht club with a vacant guest dock. The first one we approached didn't have a guest dock, but a man on a boat told us to try the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club down by the bridge. That was one I had phoned, and the message had said it was closed on Mondays, but we went down there anyway. Sure enough, there was a long, empty guest dock, so we tied up.
The gate on the gangplank could be opened from our side but not from the outside without a key, so Roy stayed on the boat while I wandered around looking for the office. Sure enough, the yacht club was closed, but right next to it was the Pacific Corinthian Marina, and the women in the office there registered us and gave us the key.
We had the yacht club all to ourselves! And it was a really nice one. Restrooms, showers, laundry, even a swimming pool. It was a little cool for a swim, but we washed two loads of clothes.
Roy and I walked over to the shopping center, bopped some money out of an ATM, and bought a few groceries.
After supper, I phoned my daughter Kathy and found out the Bill of Sale from Michael Stoner had arrived! I could scarcely believe it, and neither could Roy. We've been trying for years to document the boat but were unable to do so because we lacked a Bill of Sale from the previous owner. All our attempts to locate him had failed. Then, just a few days before we left Richmond, I phoned the Federal Bureau of Prisons in San Francisco and found out they would forward a letter to him, so I wrote immediately. (He's on parole for drug-running.) And he actually filled out the Bill of Sale and had it notarized! I asked Kathy to mail it to General Delivery in San Diego, so it should be waiting for us when we get there.
Kathy also told me that my daughter Nancy and her husband Jim are going to fly down to Mexico and go sailing with us. That will be fun!
Everything would be perfect if it weren't for the fact that Roy has a miserable cold, or maybe the flu.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Sunday, February 28, 1993 - Santa Barbara, CA
The joke's on us. We weren't in Cojo Anchorage! We should have gone around the next little point. Both of us had thought something was wrong--Roy couldn't see the Coast Guard mooring buoy, and I thought we were too close to the lighthouse--but it was too dark to figure it out. As soon as we saw the place in broad daylight this morning, we knew what had happened. No wonder it was so rolly! Oh well, we enjoyed a good night's sleep anyway.
We'd no sooner gotten up than a small whale popped up out of the water a hundred feet from the boat.
Beautiful, beautiful day! Calm, sunny, warm. Lovely green hills. No wonder people come to Southern California!
Absolutely ideal sail all the way from Point Conception to Santa Barbara. Following wind and seas pushed us right along at speeds of 4 to 8 knots! Used the headsail and mainsail. The morning breeze was about 10 knots. By late afternoon, it had risen to 20. What a perfect day!
Got to Santa Barbara Marina around 4:30. Tied temporarily to a vacant end tie. We'd no sooner set foot on the dock than a dinghy with two men in it pulled up. One of them was Bob, whose boat had been hauled out at Sanford-Wood when we were there. His boat was right next to ours. He had seen the Jofian coming in and recognized her right away. Roy remembered Bob's face but not his name or where they'd met until Bob refreshed his memory. I didn't remember him at all until much later. The other man was Bob's son David, who lives here in Santa Barbara.
We asked Bob about the yacht club, and he told us they have one guest dock. It had been reserved, but the boat hadn't arrived, so we might be able to get it. He pointed out the yacht club building to us, so we went over there. The lady was very nice and let us have the dock for the night, free.
We got a gate key from the Harbor Master and then walked over to the guest dock. It was 'way over on the far corner and was plenty long (68 feet), but the wind was blowing away from the dock, so Roy had to do a bit of cogitating to figure out the best way to bring the boat in. We finally decided I'd stay there on the guest dock, he'd bring the boat around, head for the dock bow first, throw me the center line, and I'd immediately cleat it. Then he'd throw me the stern line and winch in the center line. Everything worked perfectly.
As soon as the boat was secure, we used the polypropylene line to turn the boat around, so we'd be all set to head out in the morning.
By then it was dark--a crisp, moonlit night. We walked over to a nearby restaurant and ate a delicious supper. Then we strolled around for a while. Ran into Bob and his wife. Chatted for a few minutes. They're on their way to New Zealand.
We strolled out to the end of Stearn's Wharf and then returned to the boat. The day had been perfect from beginning to end.
We'd no sooner gotten up than a small whale popped up out of the water a hundred feet from the boat.
Beautiful, beautiful day! Calm, sunny, warm. Lovely green hills. No wonder people come to Southern California!
Absolutely ideal sail all the way from Point Conception to Santa Barbara. Following wind and seas pushed us right along at speeds of 4 to 8 knots! Used the headsail and mainsail. The morning breeze was about 10 knots. By late afternoon, it had risen to 20. What a perfect day!
Got to Santa Barbara Marina around 4:30. Tied temporarily to a vacant end tie. We'd no sooner set foot on the dock than a dinghy with two men in it pulled up. One of them was Bob, whose boat had been hauled out at Sanford-Wood when we were there. His boat was right next to ours. He had seen the Jofian coming in and recognized her right away. Roy remembered Bob's face but not his name or where they'd met until Bob refreshed his memory. I didn't remember him at all until much later. The other man was Bob's son David, who lives here in Santa Barbara.
We asked Bob about the yacht club, and he told us they have one guest dock. It had been reserved, but the boat hadn't arrived, so we might be able to get it. He pointed out the yacht club building to us, so we went over there. The lady was very nice and let us have the dock for the night, free.
We got a gate key from the Harbor Master and then walked over to the guest dock. It was 'way over on the far corner and was plenty long (68 feet), but the wind was blowing away from the dock, so Roy had to do a bit of cogitating to figure out the best way to bring the boat in. We finally decided I'd stay there on the guest dock, he'd bring the boat around, head for the dock bow first, throw me the center line, and I'd immediately cleat it. Then he'd throw me the stern line and winch in the center line. Everything worked perfectly.
As soon as the boat was secure, we used the polypropylene line to turn the boat around, so we'd be all set to head out in the morning.
By then it was dark--a crisp, moonlit night. We walked over to a nearby restaurant and ate a delicious supper. Then we strolled around for a while. Ran into Bob and his wife. Chatted for a few minutes. They're on their way to New Zealand.
We strolled out to the end of Stearn's Wharf and then returned to the boat. The day had been perfect from beginning to end.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Saturday, February 27, 1993 - Cojo, CA
Boy, are we making tracks! It definitely paid to wait. By day-
break, we were passing Point Buchon. The current is with us, the swells are with us, and what little wind there is is with us.
We had thought we might make Morro Bay by 3 p.m., but by noon we were almost to Point Arguello, well past Morro Bay. Then things started going awry.
We turned off the engine so Roy could pour more diesel into the tank. Unfortunately, he underestimated how much was left in the tank, so a quart overflowed.
After the mess was cleaned up, we ate lunch on the foredeck. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. We were gliding peacefully along at two knots with just the mainsail up when we saw a big container ship bearing down on us. We changed course to get out of its way and ended up much farther out at sea than we had intended to go.
After the ship had gone by, Roy went down into the engine compart-
ment to change the oil--a messy job under the best of circumstances, and much more so when big swells are rolling the boat from side to side. A wave hit at the wrong moment, and a bucket of black, gooky, used oil dumped on the deck. Roy spent most of the afternoon cleaning up the mess.
We decided to go to Point Conception and spend the night in the Cojo Anchorage. Roy lowered the main and unfurled the headsail. I started the engine, and, with the swells pushing us, we zoomed towards the coast at more than 7 knots, but we were so far out, it took several hours to get there. It was dark when we approached Cojo. I was at the wheel but couldn't figure out where the anchorage was, even though I was watching the radar screen, so I woke up Roy, and he took us in. Dropped anchor at 8 p.m.
There isn't much protection in Cojo Anchorage. It's wide open to the ocean and the western swells, so Jofian kept rocking back and forth. We slept like tops.
break, we were passing Point Buchon. The current is with us, the swells are with us, and what little wind there is is with us.
We had thought we might make Morro Bay by 3 p.m., but by noon we were almost to Point Arguello, well past Morro Bay. Then things started going awry.
We turned off the engine so Roy could pour more diesel into the tank. Unfortunately, he underestimated how much was left in the tank, so a quart overflowed.
After the mess was cleaned up, we ate lunch on the foredeck. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. We were gliding peacefully along at two knots with just the mainsail up when we saw a big container ship bearing down on us. We changed course to get out of its way and ended up much farther out at sea than we had intended to go.
After the ship had gone by, Roy went down into the engine compart-
ment to change the oil--a messy job under the best of circumstances, and much more so when big swells are rolling the boat from side to side. A wave hit at the wrong moment, and a bucket of black, gooky, used oil dumped on the deck. Roy spent most of the afternoon cleaning up the mess.
We decided to go to Point Conception and spend the night in the Cojo Anchorage. Roy lowered the main and unfurled the headsail. I started the engine, and, with the swells pushing us, we zoomed towards the coast at more than 7 knots, but we were so far out, it took several hours to get there. It was dark when we approached Cojo. I was at the wheel but couldn't figure out where the anchorage was, even though I was watching the radar screen, so I woke up Roy, and he took us in. Dropped anchor at 8 p.m.
There isn't much protection in Cojo Anchorage. It's wide open to the ocean and the western swells, so Jofian kept rocking back and forth. We slept like tops.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Friday, February 26, 1993 - On Way to Cojo, CA
Roy finished the work he was doing in the fo'c'sle. At 11, we listened to the Manana Net but didn't transmit. Reception was exceptionally good. We heard people talking from La Paz, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Hawaii, and Seattle!
After lunch, we took off. The wind was supposed to be blowing out of the northwest at 20 knots, but it was much less than that. By late afternoon, we scarcely had any wind at all. From too much to not enough! Had to use the engine as well as the sails. There were rolling swells out of the west, but no waves to speak of.
Enjoyed a very pleasant cruise. As we got farther south, the sky cleared and the sun came out. At night, there was a bright quarter moon. The Milky Way was out in all its glory, far brighter than you can see it from land. Lots and lots of satellites twinkling around up there. Sometimes I saw two or three at a time. EPIRB satellites, GPS satellites, telecommunications satellites, space exploration satellites. They'll soon have a traffic jam up there.
After lunch, we took off. The wind was supposed to be blowing out of the northwest at 20 knots, but it was much less than that. By late afternoon, we scarcely had any wind at all. From too much to not enough! Had to use the engine as well as the sails. There were rolling swells out of the west, but no waves to speak of.
Enjoyed a very pleasant cruise. As we got farther south, the sky cleared and the sun came out. At night, there was a bright quarter moon. The Milky Way was out in all its glory, far brighter than you can see it from land. Lots and lots of satellites twinkling around up there. Sometimes I saw two or three at a time. EPIRB satellites, GPS satellites, telecommunications satellites, space exploration satellites. They'll soon have a traffic jam up there.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Thursday, February 25, 1993 - Monterrey, CA
This morning was sunny and warm, but by noon it had clouded up and was starting to rain.
I walked around in the morning, mailed a couple of letters, found a Safeway and bought some fish and eggs. In the afternoon, I stayed in the warm, dry cockpit and got caught up on my reading.
Roy spent the whole day working in the fo'c'sle. He built a cover for the anchor chain and a shelf for my bicycle. Big improvement.
Oh, yes. We listened to the Manana Net again and made another futile attempt to contact Ken. I so obviously sounded like a novice that the net coordinator asked me what class license I had. (Novices aren't allowed to transmit on that frequency.) When I said, "Advanced," he wanted to know how long I'd had it. Boy, was I embarrassed! I got my Advanced license a year ago today, and used it for the first time a couple of weeks ago.
The wind is supposed to shift to the northwest tomorrow, so maybe we'll be able to get out of this place.
I walked around in the morning, mailed a couple of letters, found a Safeway and bought some fish and eggs. In the afternoon, I stayed in the warm, dry cockpit and got caught up on my reading.
Roy spent the whole day working in the fo'c'sle. He built a cover for the anchor chain and a shelf for my bicycle. Big improvement.
Oh, yes. We listened to the Manana Net again and made another futile attempt to contact Ken. I so obviously sounded like a novice that the net coordinator asked me what class license I had. (Novices aren't allowed to transmit on that frequency.) When I said, "Advanced," he wanted to know how long I'd had it. Boy, was I embarrassed! I got my Advanced license a year ago today, and used it for the first time a couple of weeks ago.
The wind is supposed to shift to the northwest tomorrow, so maybe we'll be able to get out of this place.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Wednesday, February 24, 1993 - Monterey, CA
Listened to the Manana Net on shortwave. I finally signed on and tried to contact Ken and Brick, but they weren't listening. Still, it was a major step forward in my learning to be a ham.
After lunch, we paddled around the harbor and then pulled up on the ramp next to the Harbor Master's office. There's a little yacht club in a corner of the marina that has a guest dock. Went over there and received permission to tie up at their dock for 48 hours.
Walked around for a while. Monterey has certainly changed. The old canneries are gone. In their place are an attractive plaza, murals, and museums.
Around 4:30, we returned to the Jofian and brought her in to the guest dock. At first, we thought there was no electrical outlet, but fortunately I asked the woman in the yacht club and she showed us a little 15-amp outlet tucked away in a corner. So now we have heat and refrigeration and can cook without running the generator. We can even watch television. All the comforts of home! (But we can only operate one or two things at a time.)
After lunch, we paddled around the harbor and then pulled up on the ramp next to the Harbor Master's office. There's a little yacht club in a corner of the marina that has a guest dock. Went over there and received permission to tie up at their dock for 48 hours.
Walked around for a while. Monterey has certainly changed. The old canneries are gone. In their place are an attractive plaza, murals, and museums.
Around 4:30, we returned to the Jofian and brought her in to the guest dock. At first, we thought there was no electrical outlet, but fortunately I asked the woman in the yacht club and she showed us a little 15-amp outlet tucked away in a corner. So now we have heat and refrigeration and can cook without running the generator. We can even watch television. All the comforts of home! (But we can only operate one or two things at a time.)
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Tuesday, February 23, 1993 - Monterrey, CA
Well, we did what we always swore we'd never do and what we've criticized others for doing. We went out in the face of an opposing wind. They changed the forecast to: "20-knot southwest winds in the morning, changing to northwest in the afternoon." But they didn't say what time.
We left around 9:30 a.m. It was totally calm when we left A dock, but by the time we left the fuel dock, it was blowing pretty hard. Almost couldn't get away from the fuel dock.
Eventually, we reached the open bay, where the waves clobbered us and washed over the deck. Kept going until one-something, and then decided to head for Monterey. Dropped anchor behind the municipal wharf about 3:30. Calm and peaceful here.
Roy had put a full, five-gallon can of diesel in his head (bathroom). When we were rolling around in the ocean, it slammed into the door and knocked it off its hinges. Roy repaired the door after we anchored.
So we didn't get very far, but at least we're south of Santa Cruz.
We left around 9:30 a.m. It was totally calm when we left A dock, but by the time we left the fuel dock, it was blowing pretty hard. Almost couldn't get away from the fuel dock.
Eventually, we reached the open bay, where the waves clobbered us and washed over the deck. Kept going until one-something, and then decided to head for Monterey. Dropped anchor behind the municipal wharf about 3:30. Calm and peaceful here.
Roy had put a full, five-gallon can of diesel in his head (bathroom). When we were rolling around in the ocean, it slammed into the door and knocked it off its hinges. Roy repaired the door after we anchored.
So we didn't get very far, but at least we're south of Santa Cruz.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Monday, February 22, 1993 - Santa Cruz, CA
I was running late all day today, but the essential things got done.
Got up late. After breakfast, took the clothes to the laundromat, which turned out to be rather old. Took twice as long as it should to dry the clothes. Then I went a few blocks down the street to the Post Office and found a nice shiny new laundromat practically next door.
Mailed our tax returns and FCC applications. Bought a few things at Safeway and headed back to the boat. By the time I ate lunch and got underway, it was after two.
Reached Kathy's place a little after three. Got my mail and caught the bus downtown. Took the 4:10 bus back to Santa Cruz. Unfortunately, they were breaking in a new driver. He missed the Scott's Valley turnoff and had to double back on a narrow country road.
By the time the bus got to Santa Cruz, it was about twenty to six, and we were out near the Dominican Hospital. I thought I'd have to take two buses to get home, so I started walking towards a bus stop, but then I noticed I was at the intersection of Soquel and 7th Avenue. 7th goes almost to the Yacht Harbor, so I decided to walk. Got to the boat at 6:20, ten minutes ahead of the bus. And I saved 80 cents bus fare.
Roy has put the new gypsy on the anchor winch, so we're all set to leave at last.
Got up late. After breakfast, took the clothes to the laundromat, which turned out to be rather old. Took twice as long as it should to dry the clothes. Then I went a few blocks down the street to the Post Office and found a nice shiny new laundromat practically next door.
Mailed our tax returns and FCC applications. Bought a few things at Safeway and headed back to the boat. By the time I ate lunch and got underway, it was after two.
Reached Kathy's place a little after three. Got my mail and caught the bus downtown. Took the 4:10 bus back to Santa Cruz. Unfortunately, they were breaking in a new driver. He missed the Scott's Valley turnoff and had to double back on a narrow country road.
By the time the bus got to Santa Cruz, it was about twenty to six, and we were out near the Dominican Hospital. I thought I'd have to take two buses to get home, so I started walking towards a bus stop, but then I noticed I was at the intersection of Soquel and 7th Avenue. 7th goes almost to the Yacht Harbor, so I decided to walk. Got to the boat at 6:20, ten minutes ahead of the bus. And I saved 80 cents bus fare.
Roy has put the new gypsy on the anchor winch, so we're all set to leave at last.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Sunday, February 21, 1993 - Santa Cruz, CA
Another full day of seminars, but this time they ended at six, thank goodness.
The morning seminar was on fishing. The guy who gave it really knew his stuff. We learned a great deal neither of us had known before, such as the right way to bait a hook.
The afternoon sessions were on life rafts and emergency equipment, climaxed by our firing flares from the beach--a rare opportunity. Usually, you're not permitted to fire flares except in an emergency.
All in all, an interesting and informative weekend, but we're glad it's over, so we don't have to sit on those miserable chairs any more.
The storm has finally died down, and the wind is supposed to shift to northwest tomorrow night, so I'll do the laundry in the morning and then take the car back to Kathy.
The morning seminar was on fishing. The guy who gave it really knew his stuff. We learned a great deal neither of us had known before, such as the right way to bait a hook.
The afternoon sessions were on life rafts and emergency equipment, climaxed by our firing flares from the beach--a rare opportunity. Usually, you're not permitted to fire flares except in an emergency.
All in all, an interesting and informative weekend, but we're glad it's over, so we don't have to sit on those miserable chairs any more.
The storm has finally died down, and the wind is supposed to shift to northwest tomorrow night, so I'll do the laundry in the morning and then take the car back to Kathy.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Saturday, February 20, 1993 - Santa Cruz, CA
Spent the day attending seminars. The one in the morning was on communications, including VHF, single sideband, and ham radio. The most important thing we learned was that to use the VHF in a foreign port, we're supposed to have a special license. We didn't know that when we were in Mexico and Canada, but we didn't get caught. We'll send for the licenses right away ($35 apiece).
The afternoon seminar was on GPS and Loran, and the evening one was on radar. They've added a lot of useful features to radar since Roy bought his.
We had a two-hour break between the afternoon and evening sessions, so we drove to West Marine and Safeway. (I still have my car, remember?) With the help of a little map I'd gotten from the Visitors' Center, I went straight to the stores without a single wrong turn, even though Roy kept saying things like: "You're going the wrong way. Santa Cruz is back there." "The numbers are decreasing, not increasing. Turn around." "Go left, not right." Fortunately, I ignored him.
Ate a bowl of soup and went to the evening session, which lasted from 6 to 9. By the time it was over, we were beat. Had spent 10 hours sitting on hard chairs, listening to technical talks.
The afternoon seminar was on GPS and Loran, and the evening one was on radar. They've added a lot of useful features to radar since Roy bought his.
We had a two-hour break between the afternoon and evening sessions, so we drove to West Marine and Safeway. (I still have my car, remember?) With the help of a little map I'd gotten from the Visitors' Center, I went straight to the stores without a single wrong turn, even though Roy kept saying things like: "You're going the wrong way. Santa Cruz is back there." "The numbers are decreasing, not increasing. Turn around." "Go left, not right." Fortunately, I ignored him.
Ate a bowl of soup and went to the evening session, which lasted from 6 to 9. By the time it was over, we were beat. Had spent 10 hours sitting on hard chairs, listening to technical talks.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Friday, February 19, 1993 - Santa Cruz, CA
About 2 a.m., the wind started blowing like crazy. Must have been close to 50 knots. Fortunately, Roy had attached extra lines and snubbers from the boat to the dock and had also tied the red ball between the dock and the boat to serve as an extra fender. Even so, by morning, the bow line was frayed, so Roy attached two more bow lines and another snubber. Now we're tied to the dock by eight lines, and we need every one of them.
What perfect timing! We left the boat about 7:20 and zoomed up the hill to the bus stop as fast as we could, considering Roy was carrying the two gypsies (50 pounds), and I was carrying the puller, a gas can, and my shoes (25 pounds altogether). I was wearing my full foul-weather gear, including my boots, in anticipation of another downpour. The bus arrived about two minutes after we reached the stop and got us to the transit center just in time to catch the 71, which took us to the tool-rental place. Returned the puller, crossed the street, and caught the 71 back to the transit center in time to catch the 8:30 bus to Scott's Valley, where we caught the express bus to San Jose. We were in San Jose by 9:50. Hopped right on a 180 and rode it to the Civic Center. Only had a two-minute wait for the 62, which took us within two blocks of Kathy's place. By then, we were hungry, so we went into Wendy's and ate a couple of baked potatoes. Then we went to Kathy's, got my car, and zoomed up to Richmond.
Got to Roy's shop about 12:30, after a quick stop at a bank. He started right in machining the gypsy, while I went over to the deli at Marina Bay and bought him a turkey sandwich, a half-pint of milk, and a couple of cookies. When I got back to the shop, Roy was concentrating on his machining, and I didn't want to disturb him. I waited a few minutes for him to look around, but he didn't. I was afraid that if I said something, I might startle him and cause him to spoil his work, so I set his lunch on the desk and tiptoed out. Unfortunately, he didn't notice his lunch until 3 o'clock, and by then he was half starved.
While Roy was machining, I filled the gas tank and then went to a movie. Saw "Homeward Bound". It was really good. Both hilarious and sad. I was laughing and crying at the same time.
The sun had been shining when I went into the theater, but when I came out, the rain was pouring. Very glad I was wearing my foul-
weather gear. By the time I got back to the shop, it was a deluge.
Roy was nowhere in sight, but he showed up about 20 minutes later. He had taken the gypsy over to his friend Eddy's machine shop to finish the job. Roy could have finished it in two or three days, but Eddy did it in an hour or two.
By the time we left, it was too late to take the car back to Kathy and catch the last bus to Santa Cruz, so we drove back in the pouring rain and dark.
I'd never driven to the yacht harbor before (except maybe once in 1968), but I went right to it as if I knew what I was doing. But when I was a block from it, I goofed and turned left as I would if I were walking. Unfortunately, my car didn't know how to go down a flight of stairs, so we ended up on the wrong side of the channel and had to make a big loop around, but we finally got there.
What perfect timing! We left the boat about 7:20 and zoomed up the hill to the bus stop as fast as we could, considering Roy was carrying the two gypsies (50 pounds), and I was carrying the puller, a gas can, and my shoes (25 pounds altogether). I was wearing my full foul-weather gear, including my boots, in anticipation of another downpour. The bus arrived about two minutes after we reached the stop and got us to the transit center just in time to catch the 71, which took us to the tool-rental place. Returned the puller, crossed the street, and caught the 71 back to the transit center in time to catch the 8:30 bus to Scott's Valley, where we caught the express bus to San Jose. We were in San Jose by 9:50. Hopped right on a 180 and rode it to the Civic Center. Only had a two-minute wait for the 62, which took us within two blocks of Kathy's place. By then, we were hungry, so we went into Wendy's and ate a couple of baked potatoes. Then we went to Kathy's, got my car, and zoomed up to Richmond.
Got to Roy's shop about 12:30, after a quick stop at a bank. He started right in machining the gypsy, while I went over to the deli at Marina Bay and bought him a turkey sandwich, a half-pint of milk, and a couple of cookies. When I got back to the shop, Roy was concentrating on his machining, and I didn't want to disturb him. I waited a few minutes for him to look around, but he didn't. I was afraid that if I said something, I might startle him and cause him to spoil his work, so I set his lunch on the desk and tiptoed out. Unfortunately, he didn't notice his lunch until 3 o'clock, and by then he was half starved.
While Roy was machining, I filled the gas tank and then went to a movie. Saw "Homeward Bound". It was really good. Both hilarious and sad. I was laughing and crying at the same time.
The sun had been shining when I went into the theater, but when I came out, the rain was pouring. Very glad I was wearing my foul-
weather gear. By the time I got back to the shop, it was a deluge.
Roy was nowhere in sight, but he showed up about 20 minutes later. He had taken the gypsy over to his friend Eddy's machine shop to finish the job. Roy could have finished it in two or three days, but Eddy did it in an hour or two.
By the time we left, it was too late to take the car back to Kathy and catch the last bus to Santa Cruz, so we drove back in the pouring rain and dark.
I'd never driven to the yacht harbor before (except maybe once in 1968), but I went right to it as if I knew what I was doing. But when I was a block from it, I goofed and turned left as I would if I were walking. Unfortunately, my car didn't know how to go down a flight of stairs, so we ended up on the wrong side of the channel and had to make a big loop around, but we finally got there.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Thursday, February 18, 1993 - Santa Cruz, CA
Still blowing a gale. Took the bus to Aptos and ate lunch at an oriental restaurant at Aptos Station. While we were eating, the rain began coming down in a deluge. In no time at all, there were several inches of rain in the parking lot. Lucky we had our raincoats.
One of the doodads Roy brought home yesterday was a stainless steel gypsy for the anchor chain. In order to make it fit, he had to take it to his shop and machine it. We had found out that a city bus goes all the way from Santa Cruz to San Jose for only $2, so after some discussion, we decided to take the bus to San Jose tomorrow, go out to Kathy's and get my car, then drive to Richmond, so Roy could machine the gypsy in his shop. But first, he had to remove the old gypsy, so we took the bus to a tool rental place, rented a puller, and returned to the boat. After some struggle, Roy got the old gypsy off.
It looks as if this storm will last several more days, so I signed us up for some free seminars this weekend. They'll be held all day Saturday and Sunday in the Coast Guard Auxiliary building on the other side of the Yacht Harbor and will cover everything from radio to fishing.
One of the doodads Roy brought home yesterday was a stainless steel gypsy for the anchor chain. In order to make it fit, he had to take it to his shop and machine it. We had found out that a city bus goes all the way from Santa Cruz to San Jose for only $2, so after some discussion, we decided to take the bus to San Jose tomorrow, go out to Kathy's and get my car, then drive to Richmond, so Roy could machine the gypsy in his shop. But first, he had to remove the old gypsy, so we took the bus to a tool rental place, rented a puller, and returned to the boat. After some struggle, Roy got the old gypsy off.
It looks as if this storm will last several more days, so I signed us up for some free seminars this weekend. They'll be held all day Saturday and Sunday in the Coast Guard Auxiliary building on the other side of the Yacht Harbor and will cover everything from radio to fishing.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Wednesday, February 17, 1993 - Santa Cruz, CA
Enjoyed a blissful night's sleep, except for the air compressor going on around 2:30 a.m. I had turned it on during my watch yesterday, but when the gauge showed sufficient pressure, I turned it off. Apparently, Roy turned it on later and forgot to turn it off. Grrrrr.
Got up early and went over to the public phone to call Roy. Got him! He was just about to leave the shop and almost didn't answer the phone. It's a good thing I phoned him, because it hadn't once crossed his mind to do what I reminded him of.
He told me that yesterday evening when he and Al were waiting for the driver from the rental agency, he suddenly remembered he didn't have the letter that was the main reason he was going to Richmond, so he dashed back to the boat and got it. Got back to where Al was just seconds before the driver from the rental agency arrived. Luckily, I had had the foresight to leave the gate ajar. If it had been locked, Roy wouldn't have been able to get back to the boat.
Roy also told me he nearly had an accident driving from Santa Cruz to San Jose on 17. (That stretch of road is notorious; there are probably more accidents on it than any other highway in the country.) Two cars had apparently smashed into each other and were spread broadside across the road right in front of him as he rounded a curve. It was raining, so when he hit the brakes, the car went into a skid. Roy didn't think he'd be able to stop in time, but fortunately, he managed to bring the car to a halt on the right shoulder.
It's a nice stormy day. After breakfast, I walked over to the Harbor Master's office and paid for last night and tonight. Then I walked around to get some fresh air and exercise. I love feeling the wind and rain blowing against my face. Walked along the shore, watching the waves pounding in. I was wearing my foul-weather coat but should have worn the pants and boots, too; my jeans, shoes, and socks were soaked. When I got back to the boat, I dried off and put on dry clothes.
There are gale warnings from Point Arena to Point Conception, so we'll be here in the Santa Cruz Marina for several days, but at least we've started on our trip.
Roy got back around five, having accomplished most, but not quite all, of what he'd set out to do. He also brought back about 500 pounds of parts and tools. It's a good thing he had a car; if he'd been getting on and off buses with all that stuff, his arms would be two feet longer by now.
Got up early and went over to the public phone to call Roy. Got him! He was just about to leave the shop and almost didn't answer the phone. It's a good thing I phoned him, because it hadn't once crossed his mind to do what I reminded him of.
He told me that yesterday evening when he and Al were waiting for the driver from the rental agency, he suddenly remembered he didn't have the letter that was the main reason he was going to Richmond, so he dashed back to the boat and got it. Got back to where Al was just seconds before the driver from the rental agency arrived. Luckily, I had had the foresight to leave the gate ajar. If it had been locked, Roy wouldn't have been able to get back to the boat.
Roy also told me he nearly had an accident driving from Santa Cruz to San Jose on 17. (That stretch of road is notorious; there are probably more accidents on it than any other highway in the country.) Two cars had apparently smashed into each other and were spread broadside across the road right in front of him as he rounded a curve. It was raining, so when he hit the brakes, the car went into a skid. Roy didn't think he'd be able to stop in time, but fortunately, he managed to bring the car to a halt on the right shoulder.
It's a nice stormy day. After breakfast, I walked over to the Harbor Master's office and paid for last night and tonight. Then I walked around to get some fresh air and exercise. I love feeling the wind and rain blowing against my face. Walked along the shore, watching the waves pounding in. I was wearing my foul-weather coat but should have worn the pants and boots, too; my jeans, shoes, and socks were soaked. When I got back to the boat, I dried off and put on dry clothes.
There are gale warnings from Point Arena to Point Conception, so we'll be here in the Santa Cruz Marina for several days, but at least we've started on our trip.
Roy got back around five, having accomplished most, but not quite all, of what he'd set out to do. He also brought back about 500 pounds of parts and tools. It's a good thing he had a car; if he'd been getting on and off buses with all that stuff, his arms would be two feet longer by now.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 16, 1993 - Santa Cruz, CA
Awoke to calm water and gray skies. The light breeze was out of the south, so we had to motor all the way to Santa Cruz. Easy trip. There were swells rolling in from the west, but no waves to speak of. The only excitement was the breaking of the foot pedal for the freshwater pump in the galley. Fortunately, we can still hand-pump water from the emergency tank.
Arrived in Santa Cruz shortly before five p.m. and were lucky enough to get an end tie on the first dock.
Al had planned on taking the bus and BART back to Richmond, where he'd left his van. Then he'd drive home and grab a few hours' sleep before reporting for work at 8 tomorrow morning. However, an unexpected, urgent business matter suddenly came up for Roy, so he decided to go back with Al to Richmond and take care of it. I suggested that since the two of them were going, it would be cheaper, faster, and more convenient for them to rent a car than to take the bus. They agreed, so I phoned around to find a rental car at a decent price. Most of the places were closed or out of cars. One place said they had a car and would wait if we could get there right away.
I asked, "How far is it?"
He said, "Twenty minutes."
I asked, "Twenty minutes walking or driving?"
"Driving."
I laughed and said, "If we were driving, we wouldn't need to rent a car!"
Finally, I found a place that had a car for $34 and would send someone over to pick up Roy and Al. So I left the guys standing by the road and set off to the Harbor Master's office to get keys for the gate and the showers.
The office was on the opposite side of the marina. I could have paddled across in two minutes, but walking I had to go about 1/8 mile to the bridge, cross the bridge, and then walk another 1/8 mile to the Harbor Master's office. Halfway there, I suddenly realized I only had 2 or 3 dollars with me, and they'd undoubtedly want a deposit for the keys.
Earlier, I had talked with Harbor Patrol on the VHF and arranged to come over and pick up the keys, even though it was after hours and the office was closed, but quite a bit of time had passed since then, what with my making all those phone calls and seeing the guys off. When I got to the office, it was locked up tight. I rang the bell and banged on the doors for 15 minutes, but no one responded. I could see a guy through the window on the second floor, but apparently he didn't hear me, so I went over to a public phone and dialed the number that was written on the office door. To my surprise, I got the Police Department! But I told the person who answered the phone what had happened, and he contacted Harbor Patrol. In almost no time, a Harbor Patrol officer drove up. He had the keys but wanted a $20 deposit.
Gulp, gulp. I asked him where the nearest ATM was. He told me, but then said he'd drive me over there, since it's a dangerous road to walk on at night. So he drove me to the ATM, waited while I extracted some money, and then drove me all the way back to A dock, where the boat is. Very nice.
I had thought of something else Roy should do while he's in Richmond, so I tried to phone him and leave a message on the answering machine. Unfortunately, he had disconnected the machine before we left. I'll try phoning him again around 7 tomorrow morning; he's likely to be in the shop then.
Arrived in Santa Cruz shortly before five p.m. and were lucky enough to get an end tie on the first dock.
Al had planned on taking the bus and BART back to Richmond, where he'd left his van. Then he'd drive home and grab a few hours' sleep before reporting for work at 8 tomorrow morning. However, an unexpected, urgent business matter suddenly came up for Roy, so he decided to go back with Al to Richmond and take care of it. I suggested that since the two of them were going, it would be cheaper, faster, and more convenient for them to rent a car than to take the bus. They agreed, so I phoned around to find a rental car at a decent price. Most of the places were closed or out of cars. One place said they had a car and would wait if we could get there right away.
I asked, "How far is it?"
He said, "Twenty minutes."
I asked, "Twenty minutes walking or driving?"
"Driving."
I laughed and said, "If we were driving, we wouldn't need to rent a car!"
Finally, I found a place that had a car for $34 and would send someone over to pick up Roy and Al. So I left the guys standing by the road and set off to the Harbor Master's office to get keys for the gate and the showers.
The office was on the opposite side of the marina. I could have paddled across in two minutes, but walking I had to go about 1/8 mile to the bridge, cross the bridge, and then walk another 1/8 mile to the Harbor Master's office. Halfway there, I suddenly realized I only had 2 or 3 dollars with me, and they'd undoubtedly want a deposit for the keys.
Earlier, I had talked with Harbor Patrol on the VHF and arranged to come over and pick up the keys, even though it was after hours and the office was closed, but quite a bit of time had passed since then, what with my making all those phone calls and seeing the guys off. When I got to the office, it was locked up tight. I rang the bell and banged on the doors for 15 minutes, but no one responded. I could see a guy through the window on the second floor, but apparently he didn't hear me, so I went over to a public phone and dialed the number that was written on the office door. To my surprise, I got the Police Department! But I told the person who answered the phone what had happened, and he contacted Harbor Patrol. In almost no time, a Harbor Patrol officer drove up. He had the keys but wanted a $20 deposit.
Gulp, gulp. I asked him where the nearest ATM was. He told me, but then said he'd drive me over there, since it's a dangerous road to walk on at night. So he drove me to the ATM, waited while I extracted some money, and then drove me all the way back to A dock, where the boat is. Very nice.
I had thought of something else Roy should do while he's in Richmond, so I tried to phone him and leave a message on the answering machine. Unfortunately, he had disconnected the machine before we left. I'll try phoning him again around 7 tomorrow morning; he's likely to be in the shop then.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Monday, February 15, 1993 - Richmond, CA on way to Panama
This is it! The start of the Big Trip! We're on our way to the Panama Canal!
A lot of improvements have been made to the boat since our last trip. A roller-furling staysail has been installed. The anchor winch has been overhauled. We have a back-up GPS that's even better than the original. We have an automatic tuner for the shortwave radio, which we can now operate. (Made our first transmission last week. What a thrill!) We have one of the new 406 EPIRB's, which tie into satellites. We have a much larger and better strobe light for the man-overboard pole. Roy sealed all the leaks in the aft cabin and built a large storage area for charts, tools, and clothing. He also bought a 500,000 candle-power searchlight. Etc., etc.
Steve, Alison, and Trevor Grabenauer and Norm and Doris came down to see us off. Al Snider came down to sail with us to Santa Cruz. We left around 10 a.m. to the sound of horns and whistles. Steve, Alison, and Trevor went with us as far as Marina Bay (one mile). We dropped them off at the new Harbor Master's dock. Then we went by Rita's and Brick's boats, tooted our horns and waved.
Nearly went aground going out the channel. Roy was at the wheel, but he was busy telling Al something and not watching where he was going. Luckily, I looked around in time and yelled to him, so he was able to turn fast and get back in the channel.
Nice northwest breeze. Turned off the engine and sailed across the bay with the new staysail and the main, but we brought in the staysail and turned on the engine to go under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Big waves were slamming against us, washing over the decks and the cockpit windows, as we headed towards the separation zone, but when we turned south, the going was a lot easier. We were zooming along at 7 to 8 knots, which is too fast, so I turned off the engine and Roy reefed the main. We had the staysail out and the headsail partially out. We were sailing nicely at 5 to 6 knots, but still doing a lot of rockin' and rollin' every time the waves hit us.
To my amazement, about quarter to four, Roy got seasick, even after taking two Dramamine tablets. First time he's ever been seasick. An hour later, I followed suit, and I'd taken four Dramamine. Soon, Al got into the act. He hadn't taken any Dramamine, but he never gets seasick. Then we began thinking maybe it wasn't seasickness but the store-bought crab salad we'd eaten for lunch. We hadn't really had any symptoms of seasickness except for throwing up. When you're seasick, you usually can't function, but we'd had no problem at all functioning. We'd have probably gotten sick even if we'd been on solid ground.
We heard a Coast Guard small-craft advisory on VHF, predicting 20 to 30 knot winds with gusts to 35. We didn't need that, so we headed for Pillar Point. It was pitch dark when we got there, so Al stood on the bow with the 500,000 candlepower portable searchlight and shone it on the narrow entrance so Roy could see his way in.
No sooner got the anchor dropped than a Harbor Patrol boat came zooming over to tell us to go another 200 yards; we were in the channel. So we moved.
Ate a delicious supper and relaxed.
A lot of improvements have been made to the boat since our last trip. A roller-furling staysail has been installed. The anchor winch has been overhauled. We have a back-up GPS that's even better than the original. We have an automatic tuner for the shortwave radio, which we can now operate. (Made our first transmission last week. What a thrill!) We have one of the new 406 EPIRB's, which tie into satellites. We have a much larger and better strobe light for the man-overboard pole. Roy sealed all the leaks in the aft cabin and built a large storage area for charts, tools, and clothing. He also bought a 500,000 candle-power searchlight. Etc., etc.
Steve, Alison, and Trevor Grabenauer and Norm and Doris came down to see us off. Al Snider came down to sail with us to Santa Cruz. We left around 10 a.m. to the sound of horns and whistles. Steve, Alison, and Trevor went with us as far as Marina Bay (one mile). We dropped them off at the new Harbor Master's dock. Then we went by Rita's and Brick's boats, tooted our horns and waved.
Nearly went aground going out the channel. Roy was at the wheel, but he was busy telling Al something and not watching where he was going. Luckily, I looked around in time and yelled to him, so he was able to turn fast and get back in the channel.
Nice northwest breeze. Turned off the engine and sailed across the bay with the new staysail and the main, but we brought in the staysail and turned on the engine to go under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Big waves were slamming against us, washing over the decks and the cockpit windows, as we headed towards the separation zone, but when we turned south, the going was a lot easier. We were zooming along at 7 to 8 knots, which is too fast, so I turned off the engine and Roy reefed the main. We had the staysail out and the headsail partially out. We were sailing nicely at 5 to 6 knots, but still doing a lot of rockin' and rollin' every time the waves hit us.
To my amazement, about quarter to four, Roy got seasick, even after taking two Dramamine tablets. First time he's ever been seasick. An hour later, I followed suit, and I'd taken four Dramamine. Soon, Al got into the act. He hadn't taken any Dramamine, but he never gets seasick. Then we began thinking maybe it wasn't seasickness but the store-bought crab salad we'd eaten for lunch. We hadn't really had any symptoms of seasickness except for throwing up. When you're seasick, you usually can't function, but we'd had no problem at all functioning. We'd have probably gotten sick even if we'd been on solid ground.
We heard a Coast Guard small-craft advisory on VHF, predicting 20 to 30 knot winds with gusts to 35. We didn't need that, so we headed for Pillar Point. It was pitch dark when we got there, so Al stood on the bow with the 500,000 candlepower portable searchlight and shone it on the narrow entrance so Roy could see his way in.
No sooner got the anchor dropped than a Harbor Patrol boat came zooming over to tell us to go another 200 yards; we were in the channel. So we moved.
Ate a delicious supper and relaxed.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 1994 - New Bedford, MA
Poor Roy! He got up at five to catch the six-o'clock bus to Boston. At 5:30, just as he was ready to leave, the rain started coming down in buckets. Of all mornings! He had to make a dash to the public phone and call a cab. Fortunately, there's an overhang there, so he was protected from the rain while he waited. By the time he gets to Boston, the rain might have quit, but if it hasn't, he only has half a block to go from the bus terminal to the subway station. After that, he'll be out of the rain all the way.
Roy will be back the end of October, so until then the log will be put on the shelf as it was last year. See you later!
(Note: While Roy is in California, I will post the log of the sail from California to the Panama Canal, the Blog started after the arrival at the Panama Canal.)
Roy will be back the end of October, so until then the log will be put on the shelf as it was last year. See you later!
(Note: While Roy is in California, I will post the log of the sail from California to the Panama Canal, the Blog started after the arrival at the Panama Canal.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)