Thursday, October 15, 2015

Arrival in San Francisco Bay Area

Location:  Oakland, CA
Golden Gate Bridge

We have arrived in Oakland and plan to be docked here in the Bay Area until boating season begins again next spring.  We enjoyed the rest of our journey to Oakland and had great weather coming under the Golden Gate Bridge, with the fog clearing away as we approached.  Details of the rest of our journey and what we’ve been doing since we arrived are below.
Sea Otter and Seagull, Morro Bay

Tuesday, September 15 – Morro Bay to San Simeon, 25 nm, 3.7 hours, avg. speed 6.8 knots
The journey from Morro Bay to San Simeon was uneventful.  We saw a few sea otters swimming in the bay as we left.  We arrived at the San Simeon anchorage about 11:30.  It was calm and we were the only boat there until later in the day when two sail boats arrived.  Hearst Castle was visible up on the hill above the shoreline.
Shoreline, San Simeon anchorage

Wednesday, September 16 – San Simeon to Monterey, 82 nm, 10.8 hours, avg. speed 7.6 knots
This was our longest voyage of our journey up the coast.  We left the San Simeon anchorage before sunrise and arrived in Monterey about 4:00 p.m.  The weather was clear and the views along the coast were spectacular including Point Sur Lighthouse and the Pebble Beach golf course in Carmel.  We tied up at the Monterey Municipal docks and went into town to Peter B’s brewpub for supper.  Great beer!
Point Sur Lighthouse

Several sealions used the dock next to us to sunbathe on every day and to sleep on at night.  Although they were fun to watch, they barked all night and puked fish guts all over the side of the boat.  Gross and annoying! 
Sealions on the dock, Monterey Marina

We spent one day at the Monterey Aquarium which was fascinating.  
Jellyfish, Monterey Aquarium

Puffin, Monterey Aquarium

Ray and shark, Monterey Aquarium

Our timing turned out good as it was Monterey Jazz Fest weekend, so we spent Saturday listening to music.
Dave relaxing in the shade, Monterey Jazz Fest

Sonny Knight and the Lakers, Monterey Jazz Fest

Sunday, September 20 – Monterey to Half Moon Bay (Pillar Point), 63 nm, 8.7 hours, avg. speed 7.2 knots
Half Moon Bay was our last stop before arrival in the San Francisco Bay.  Our original plan was to stay for only one night, but it was a nice quiet anchorage with plenty of restaurants nearby, so we decided to stay and enjoy it for a few days.  We didn’t do much, went ashore for supper a few times and rode the bus into town to get groceries.  We caught up on some maintenance and other chores.  The weather and tide schedule looked good for a Friday journey to the SF Bay. 

Sunset, Half Moon Bay

Friday, September 25 – Half Moon Bay to Oakland, 36 nm, 4.9 hours, avg. speed 7.3 knots
Friday morning we heaved anchor for our last leg of the journey.  We calculated our time of departure from Half Moon Bay as 8:00 a.m. which would put us cruising under the Golden Gate Bridge about 11:00 a.m., at the end of the flood tide close to slack water.  The weather was slightly overcast and the bridge was shrouded in fog as we approached.  As we got closer, the wind picked up slightly and the fog slowly lifted away from the bridge.  Going under was exciting and we had a clear view of the bay and San Francisco.  We decided to dock in Oakland so that we would be close to the Perkins master diesel mechanic who we plan to use to help us with some engine maintenance.
Alcatraz
Coit Tower
Bay Bridge
House boats on the Oakland Estuary

For our first weekend in the Bay Area, we checked out the local casino (not very good) and had dinner at a German restaurant in Alameda.  On Tuesday, Dave flew to Alabama to spend some time on the farm.  
Adding crushed rock to Sweet Pea Farm Lane, Alabama

My brother, Kevin, picked me up and took me to Colusa, where he and my mom both live.  We went to the Colusa Casino for senior day but didn’t win anything.

Thursday, October 1 – San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas
Time for a fabulous girls’ vacation.  Five of us flew to Cabo San Lucas to spend a long weekend in luxury.  We stayed at the Riu Palace all-inclusive resort.  We lounged by the pool, ate delicious food, drank tasty cocktails and shared stories and laughs.  Saturday Rosie, Pam, Rachel and I went diving / snorkeling.  While we were out on the water, a huge rain squall blew in and our trip was cut short.  Rosie went back to finish her dives on Monday while Pam, Mary and I did some shopping in town.  Tuesday was the end of our adventure and we all headed home – Mary, Rosie, Rachel and I to the Bay Area and Pam to the LA area.
B and Mary with a Boogie Nights dancer
B snorkeling near Pelican Rocks, Cabo San Lucas
Pam and Rachel scuba diving, Pelican Rocks, Cabo San Lucas

Rosie and Pam taking a break from shopping, Cabo San Lucas

Wednesday, October 7 – Oakland to Colusa
Wednesday I drove back up to Colusa to spend some more time with family.  We had pizza at Kevin’s, went to the casino, went to Yuba City to do some shopping and on Saturday, I took a first aid / CPR course.  Sunday I drove back to Oakland and the boat.

Kim at the Colusa Donut shop

Although our boating time will be limited over the next six months, we will be doing some day cruises on the SF Bay and some land based traveling.  Until next time…

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