A Quick HELLO and update-Today is Thursday, October 26. We are in Oceanside Marina and have been here for a few days. We plan to leave early tomorrow morning for San Diego. The weather has been warm and extremely smokey. We seem to be following the fires as we sail south. The ashes are a mess on the boat- We were able to spray the outside of the boat at the fuel dock at Newport beach - We saw black debri and ashes in the ocean and a grey sky of smoke as we sailed and then motored with the lack of wind. Once again a thorough washing of the boat at Oceanside Marina. It is so nice to hook up to fresh water for the cleaning. It is difficult to complain about our trivial time spent on cleaning when we hear and talk to so many people who have lost their homes to the fires here in Southern Cal.

I have never experienced the Santa Ana winds and never want to again. I spoke of "THESE" winds while visiting the Channel Islands-Well, we had a reprieve of about one week while sailing to Santa Catalina Island. We enjoyed the beautiful clear water and anchorage at Two Harbors and then at Avalon. We found Avalon to be a fun place-until the power boats overwhelmed us on the weekend. We heard news of the "SANTA ANA'S"-so off we sailed to Newport Beach-the wind blew mostly non-stop with gusts of 38-we were on a mooring and felt secure as the boat rocked. "the winds" suddenly stopped on the ocean- and we actually had to motor sail much of the distance to Oceanside.

We are so anxious to sail out of Southern California and into Mexico!! As previously mentioned-Destination San Diego tomorrow -meet up with Crew Patrick Fahey in San Diego on October 30 and off to Mexico we go.
We miss our Friends and Families and send happy wishes to everyone!!

Pelican Bay Santa Cruz Island

This is a picture of the beautiful water at Pelican Bay Santa Cruz Island

Monterey to Channel Islands

Hi Family and Friends!! Just a quick update-It is Tuesday October 9 and we are at a Marina in Oxnard. We had a nice sail from Monterey to Morro Bay-and enjoyed the hospitality of the yacht club and the sunny weather. We left early in the morning for an overnight trip to the Channel Islands. We enjoyed a wonderful day with great sailing conditions and many sightings of whales (some a little to close). As they approached the bow of the boat and UNDER the boat. Many playful seals along the way. After dark we passed Point conception without any problems and at about 3:00 AM the winds picked up and the seas were "confused". This went on for hours and with the speed of the wind we arrived "too" early to our destination of San Miquel island. So, we stalled for a while to approach the anchorage in the day light. San Miquel was beautiful, but still very windy. The anchorage felt safe and we slept for hours. The next day was calm and we sailed off to Santa Cruz Island-beautiful sunny day and more whales. We enjoyed one day of beautiful weather and took a very long hike on the island. The next 6 days were filled with the Santa Ana winds -we moved from several anchorages and found more wind. We changed plans several times finally settling at a small anchorage at anacapa island. Once again a beautiful place with beautiful water-until the santa ana's picked up again. So we decided to head to a marina and here we are in Oxnard. Actually a nice place with grocery store and laundramat near by. But, we are ready for the ocean again and will leave early in the AM for Catalina Island.

sailing "out the gate"

We actually motored out the golden gate bridge on Friday September 21. Our friends Tim and Julie are motoring out with us on their boat Luna Sea. The sky was clear and we smile as we say good bye to San Francisco Bay. The wind provided us with a nice sail to half moon bay. As we arrived into the anchorage at Half Moon Bay the sky was cloudy. It rained off and on throughout the night and the next day. So, we decided to stay for two nights-took the dingy to the wharf area. We left for Monterey at 6:00 AM. The ocean was like a lake with very little wind-so, we motored onto our destination. the ocean was beautiful and sparkled as we saw many dolphin, a whale and areas that were covered with jelly fish. We arrived into the Monterey Marina at 4:30 PM. The weather has been sunny and warm. We have enjoyed walking the Fisherman's Wharf, and watching the many sea otters and seals. We will be leaving here on Wednesday to Stillwater cove and then onto San Simeon.

Dock Party

The dock party was a great success with family and friends. Many bottles of good wine, good conversation and much laughter. We greatly appreciate the support and gifts from all who attended. Our excitement is escilating as our departure day of Thursday September 20 gets closer. We still have some "loose ends to tie up at home". We will leave the property in Forbestown in the morning-drive to Santa Rosa to leave the car at my sister Lori's house and our friend Varrick will pick us up to drive to the boat!!! We will then be without a car-so off we will sail to spend our first night of the adventure in Sausalito and leave Friday AM to Half Moon Bay.

Preparing Tenacity

Preparing Tenacity

dock lines still connected

Last half of August, and we're getting closer to cast off date, somewhere between
Sept. 17th and the 22nd, we hope. Vicki will be making entries and taking pictures, as she is much better suited to this than I. Stay tuned...