Breaching the Norcal-Socal Boundry

Wrapping up a pleasant stay at Morro Bay, we cast off our dock lines from the yacht club just before day break, Saturday the 28th. Expecting light conditions (NW winds 5-15 knots, seas 1-3 feet) we topped off our fuel tank the previous evening.  Luckily, Erika had called the Harbor Patrol for the fuel dock's operating hours.  They thought the attendant would be there till 5pm, wowzers, it was already 4 o'clock. Twelve hours later, Morro Rock astern, running lights aglow, we motored south bound for Coho, a well protected anchorage right around the corner from California's historic Point Conception.  Point Conception and its brother to the north, Point Arguello, are infamous for their marine weather, turning away both historical and contemporary skippers alike.  Again, our marine forecast from NOAA predicted light to moderate conditions but we really only saw the former.  Pulling into the empty anchorage by 3:30 in the afternoon was a real treat.  We had plenty of time to launch the dinghy, do a little surfing, and comb the beach.   Returning to Steadfast a couple hours later, the troops were tired and hungry.  Erika whipped up some fresh veggie and noodle stir fry and promptly fell into her bunk.  I washed the dishes, rinsed the wetsuits and the boys who wore them, checked the anchor and followed Erika.  

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Above -  Rise and shine, departure time (Coho Anchorage 7 a.m.)

With winds light from the SW, Steadfast motor-sailed most of the way to Santa Barbara.  The little guys (Ren and E) spent the majority of our six hour sail sitting on the bowsprit watching for dolphins, and their patience payed off numerous times. Mason, on the other hand, slept till noon.  I personally kicked him out of his bunk to, at least, witness our arrival into Santa Barbara Bay.

Below - 13 second HD Video of Dolphins bow riding Steadfast while Ren and Elliot watch from the bowsprit above.

Travelling down the coast on a Sunday probably increased our chances of running into more "birthday" balloon bouquets than on your average weekday. We yanked the ones we saw along our path...pictured below, according to the design on this "rescued" bouquet, someone turned 60, but it wasn't Loren. Sailing into SB this weekend was like sailing into Disney-marina!  Aside from the Cruise ship parked outside the marina with their numerous bright yellow shuttle boats taxing back and fourth, or the 50 junior sailors clogging up the north side of the harbor, obviously in the middle of a mini-regatta, or the screaming-cheering from the Pro Volley Ball tournament (Kerri-Walsh, etc) just up the beach from the harbor entrance, or "Harmony", a 164 foot mega Yacht a few slips from our humble 50 foot end-tie.... you might be getting the picture,  Erika and I looked at each other....Welcome to Southern California!  Luckily, as warned by our numerous neighbors, Monday proved much quieter.  By morning, everyone was back to work, including us.  For dinner, we were treated with a special visit from Aunt Sonja and Uncle Shorty.  After feasting at a pleasant eatery near the marina, we walked back to the boat and showed off Steadfast.  Later that evening, according to Erika, I was suppose to check for stowaways...but I really couldn't see how Uncle Shorty could hide in any of our stowage compartments... ;)

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