One week ago (Monday) I left Fort Bragg. The calm seas over
the Noyo River bar were an amazing contrast to the violence I witnessed (safely
from ashore) at the same location just 2 days earlier. A southerly wind filled
in that afternoon complicating my passage of Point Arena with pounding seas and
green water over the bow. By about 4 PM I had cleared the point and the seas
began to moderate. It is amazing to see how the major headlands affect the wind
and seas.
After 1 night drifting at sea to catch a little sleep, I
motored past Point Reyes and into Drakes Bay where I anchored for a better
sleep before proceeding into San Francisco. Along the way I spotted a few
Humpback whales, Pacific White-sided dolphins, and the most amazing pod of
porpoises I have ever seen. There were hundreds of them all across the bow and
starboard side. A few came up close to the boat to have a close look at me,
others were flying through the air (often in pairs). Their activity churned up a
huge expanse of the sea.
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| Point Reyes |
The Golden Gate Bridge as I approached under sail.
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| Alcatraz Island |
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| The new east span of the Oakland Bay Bridge seen from my anchorage at Treasure Island. |
Wednesday morning I was ready to go into San Francisco. Off Duxbury Point I had to navigate through one of the largest fishing fleets I have ever seen. There were dozens of commercial trawlers all moving about 2 knots in various directions, along with hundreds of recreational and charter boats – each on a different course at a different speed. Several course changes later I was ready to proceed into Bonita Channel and through the Golden Gate. The wind came up from the west as I passed Point Bonita, so I killed the engine and raised sails. So, for the second time, I had the privilege of transiting the Golden Gate under sail. I can think of no better way to arrive at San Francisco Bay. I anchored that night at Treasure Island with the suspension span of the new Oakland Bay Bridge towering nearly over me.
It is time for a key improvement project I have planned for
Cygnus – the installation of a roller furling headsail. So I have obtained
moorage for a month at Alameda Marina. My old Genoa (the big headsail) is at
Doyle sailmakers (located within the Alameda Marina complex) to be re-worked
for roller furling, and the roller furler has arrived. I would begin
installation, but…
Arriving in San Francisco Bay and obtaining moorage for a
while presented an opportunity for me to travel to Quesnel, BC to see Pete.
Saturday I flew from San Francisco to Calgary and on to Quesnel. I am writing
this post from Pete’s computer, and I am living ashore (temporarily) for the
first time in almost 10 years. Adapting to such oddities as reclining chairs
and having to walk more than 3 steps to reach the bathroom is proving quite
challenging. In fact walking more than about 10 or 12 steps anywhere without
the aid of a dock or dinghy seems really strange.
Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. Pete held his family’s
holiday dinner yesterday (freeing today for his children to visit/host their
in-laws). All 3 of his children and many of his grandchildren were here. We had
a marvelous turkey dinner, and I got to meet a houseful of great people.
Everyone had a great time chatting and eating. The day was nearly perfect… just
one tiny incident involving a five year old princess a pretty dress and a pile
of bear poop.
As any self-respecting swan will fly south for the winter,
Pete and I will return to Alameda to install the roller furling system and
prepare Cygnus for continuing her flight south. Our plan is to fly to
California on Oct 24th. Once we have the furler working, and
complete a few sea trials to learn how to operate it, we will be ready to
proceed down the coast of Central and Southern California and on to Mexico.
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