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| My Captain |
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| Captain Chris Couch with our diver to do repairs |
At Woodley Island Marina in Eureka, California we wait an extra day having a diver return to work on straightening bent props. 3 of our 4 prop blades have been bent by impact of debris. He works to make them right while we watch weather open up for our journey via the Internet. The wind has calmed to 5-10 kts and the tide is slack for departure at around 0930. The job done, diver reports we have a 9 inch crease in one of our prop blades that he was able to straighten, along with the other 2 smaller curls but recommends that future repair/replacement will be in order. Chris and I prepare our craft for departure following a test for vibrations. The line removal from the props shows even though we thought we had cleared the prop shaft we had not.
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| Making it right - diver working on props |
Poly line is tough stuff. It has to be able to survive wave, salt water, sun and a boat prop. Crab pots hang at the bottom some hundreds of yards of it attached to floats marking their locations. We spend many hours avoiding getting caught up in it. This is why.
While we hold here with the boat waiting on wind, weather and repairs we find our way around the harbor area and into the city of Eureka. This is where my son-in-law, Doug Saucedo, is from. I have visited here with my family. It is a much different view from the water. I like it.
We wander past the NOAA National Weather Service building, who's
NOAA Website I have bookmarked on my navigation links - Eureka site ROCKS! I feel like I have come to see the band play! I want to go inside and tell them I worship their work but Chris looks at me kinda funny so I refrain. The area around the NOAA building is an enchanting wild life preserve, clearly marked and fenced to keep us wild humans out. The deer stand at the fence looking at us like we are captive and to be viewed with curiosity. I think the deer have it correct.
So, Chris has named me the "Queen of the Self Portrait", I say - no one else to take my picture, dude. So here I am waiting in Eureka, California as I monitor the trail mix nut to M & M ratio. This job is not for the faint of heart. Serious biz for a sailor mom like me. Where is Jeannie Berry when you need her with her ever present extra supply of M & M's??!!
Thinking of family, I see granddaughter Calypso everywhere! In San Diego we found a sailboat and here in Eureka a fishing boat moored a few slips from us. She is here with me, I know it. The daughter of a marine biologist and Vehicle Systems Analyst engineer has her fleet waiting.
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Coast Guard Station at Eureka - Humboldt Bay |
The Coast Guard buildings are some of the most incredible public buildings along the Pacific. They are well kept, picturesque, functional and honor our coast with their presence.
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| Leaving Humboldt - nice wave action! |
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| On to Noyo Bay at Fort Bragg, California |
Noyo Bay - rustic, small - 30 amp only power, but we like it.
Are these entrances getting smaller or is it just my imagination? I think I named the Brookings entrance the "Mini Bar", this is the "Salad Bar" at Noyo.
As we dine in a lovely restaurant we see the entrance we came through only a short time before. A night here and on next to Bodega Bay - REALLY, there is such a place. Mystical, literally.
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| Bodega Bay, California |
Our walk to dinner
There is no real town here - no Walmart, no malls - only lovely homes and a couple shops. Perfect.
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| Sunset at Bodega Bay - Ahhhh |
Leaving Bodega Bay at first light - if you are not in the channel you are in the sand at low tide. Fog sucks.
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| Our track - at 15.6 kts |
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| Monterey Canyon is DEEP! |
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| Heading |
Monterey Bay for fuel and food! I love this place. I run to the restaurant and re-connect with the beautiful European mother of twins we met on the Descanso trip! She remembers us with big smiles while she prepares our dinner. It is so nice to make connections in this way. Chris gets the fuel on board. The sun is warm, makes us happy! Maybe an hour and half in port then back out for an all night-er. Beautiful.
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| Chris captained this type ship in Alaska for Exxon during the Valdez cleanup. I try to imagine... |
...as we run through the obstacle course of giant oil rigs
All Right PEOPLE! Hold on to your Mylar balloons - or skip 'em
I will use this opportunity to remind people that the balloon they release for fun sits here in the ocean forever. I have seen many of them on each trip now. Chris tells me he has seen them every time and for years. This cannot be good. Animals don't know the deference between food and our trash. Let's try not to put our trash on the menu.
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| Industrial California - Oil Capitol of the USA |
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| Huntington Beach, California - Our Destination! |
Patty Wagon is at her NEW HOME!
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| "Please let me sleep" |
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| My office |
Post script: I finished this blog page a month after our journey concluded. I apologize for it's lack of content but life has pulled me a few directions since then. The plan is to continue on my current course - where ever it takes me! Maybe a sailing lesson in May, possibly back to Breathless as the Puerto Vallarta property sold, or could it be another boat in my future? All is possible so what shall it be? Even I can't wait to find out!
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