Sunset Sail Turns Into a Fun Photo Op

Keith and I were headed back out to the boat yesterday evening and Keith said, "Wanna go for a sail?"  I said sure!  So we quickly tucked stray items away, took the motor off the dinghy, hanked the jib and pulled anchor for a sunset sail.  All through the years, sunset sailing in Santa Cruz was our favorite.  In this area, when the sun starts to set the wind shifts to coming off the land and it flattens the seas and provides a warm breeze.  This, in addition to a beautiful sunset backdrop, makes for a really relaxing end of day treat.

We headed straight offshore with Elliot as our mate since Mason is off in Colorado at soccer camp and Loren was already asleep down below.  About 4 or 5 miles offshore the breeze was still light, maybe 8 knots or so, and Keith suggested that he get into the dinghy and take take some pictures while I sail around him.  I laughed!  There was no way I was going to be responsible for managing to get this boat back to pick him up so I volunteered to hop in the dinghy.  Neither one of us thought what was going through Elliot's head and as they sailed away I could hear him saying to his Dad "Are we doing man overboard drills? Are we going back for Mom? When are we going back? I think we should turn back and get Mom now."  He was a little nervous.  Personally I was having a nice time floating in the middle of the big blue.  I took some photos and some video which Keith will likely use this winter as he starts a new video project.  They tacked and jibed by me a few times before picking me up, much to Elliot's relief.

As we start heading back in Keith says he sees something and proceeds to tack back to check it out.  He doesn't see it again but swears it was a great white.  I laugh...there I was sitting in a dinghy looking like a good snack.  (I thought he was joking).  A few minutes later I see a fin go by the boat.  Then again a few minutes later.  He wasn't joking!

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