Leaving Napa and Toodling Down the River

One thing I have to say about sailing is that planning and schedules can pretty much be tossed out the window...or port hole in our case.  They are merely guidelines I think...kind of like the speed limit signs seen in California.
Keith, Loren and I headed up to Napa on Thursday night to check out Steadfast and get her ready to go.  The plan was to take off first thing Friday morning between 6 and 8am in order to hit the tides we wanted.  The only part of the plan that seemed to work on the schedule was the getting to the boat part.
We got up Friday morning and proceeded to get the boat ready.  There were quite a few things that needed to get  moved back onto the boat, like jib sheets and cushions.  In addition, I needed power for my laptop, cell phone and mifi as I was planning on working the day on the boat while we toodled down the river.  Keith didn't have the car power outlet (formerly known as a cigarette lighter) setup so he took time in the morning to get that installed again.  We got underway a little before 10 and started our jaunt down the river.  I actually enjoy this time, reading the charts, looking for the right bouys or signs and ensuring we don't go aground is fun for me.  We made it out to Mare Island and called the bridge operator to open it for us.  This is another part of the trip to Napa that I get a kick out of.  All traffic has to stop as the operator raises the bridge for us to go under.  In my minds eye I'm envisioning my adoring fans looking on as we pass under the bridge.  In actuality it's probably just car loads of people cursing my timing and wishing I'd hurry the hell up so they aren't late to their next appointment or some such. I prefer my version - though I haven't gone so far as to do my queen's wave.  Maybe next time.
We raised our main and motor sailed our way out into San Pablo Bay where we saw a few big boats.  We actually made great time as Steadfast seems to happily chug along at 7 knots and even past 8 with the tides help.   We made it past Angel Island and out towards the Golden Gate and that is where our first adventure began....

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