Category Archives: cruising with kids

SLO to Santa Barbara

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Our sail from Port San Luis to Santa Barbara was epic.  With mostly a beam reach and then down wind sail, we were able to “fly the kite” as well as sail “wing on wing”.  The seas were pretty flat and the winds were perfect. From Point Arguello through to the Santa Barbara Channel off Point Conception we had winds of 25 and gusting up to high 20’s. Perfect for a comfortable down wind sail around “the point”. We were originally going to leave from Morro Bay three days prior, but due to a southerly wind direction, we waited. I think we nailed it.

Once rounding Point Conception, we heading for COJO (an anchorage just west of Gaviota). Normally a protected anchorage, the wind had seemed to find it’s way wrapping in at such force, we chose to continue to the next safe anchorage. We sailed another 20 miles to Goleta Beach. 

Upon waking at Goleta, the sun was shining and the water was clear.  What we noticed with adequate lighting was that we managed to we’ve our way through the lobster traps that had just been placed the night before. Apparently lobster season just started. The anchorage looked like a mine field! It’s amazing that we didn’t snag any coming in the night before. After a few hours of breakfast, coffee and some boatschooling, a jump in the ocean was needed.  Warm water (high 60’s) at last! 

We were going to head out the the Channel Islands from that point, but with wind report was calling for 20-25 kt gusts. Although that’s not too bad for out at Santa Cruz Island, we chose to go to Santa Barbara first and hopefully hit good island weather afterward. 

Santa Barbara was only 8 miles from Goleta. We arrived by early afternoon with time to anchor and go to shore to visit a few friends. Christian’s Dad and my cousin, Joe, who both made the sail with us from Morro Bay, were safely brought back to shore 🙂 . 

Our time in Santa Barbara was too quick! Too many things to do and too many people to try to visit. Unfortunately, we didn’t fit it all in, but it we enjoyed it none the less. It was so hot and beautiful, it finally felt like we were heading south!

On Saturday, we heard the weather on Santa Cruz Island should be fair. We found ourselves having a hard the wanting to leave Santa Barbara. We felt like there were more thing to do and people to see. We realized that these feelings will probably come up often. It’s simply part of cruising. So, we left the next day. Here’s a shout out to the people we didn’t get to visit, “Hi, sorry we didn’t meet up. Come visit us somewhere along the way!”. 

We had a lovely sail out to Pelican Bay on the North side of Santa Cruz Island. Details await for the next post. 

     

  

         

Port San Luis to Goleta

 

    
    

   
 

Slow down everyone 

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Our good friend, Jason W, treated us to breakfast at LouLou’s

  

9 kids tromping around the boat in Monterey. 5 of them were Dr. Keller’s grandchildren (3 of which are Holly’s) and 1 is miss lil Naia. The girls are learning to make insta -friends.


   

After 2 weeks we traveled a whole 80 miles south of our hailing port. Total miles traveled being about 100 miles. We left Monterey on Thursday and sailed to Stillwater Cove, near Pebble Beach. We were able to use their yacht club mooring ball with our Nawiliwili reciprocal. We stayed for two nights. The Anchorage was very rolly, but beautiful. 

Yesterday we sailed 70 miles more, from Stillwater Cove to San Simeon. It was an all day sail, from 5am to 7pm. We wanted to make sure we got in before dark since we have never anchored in San Simeon before. It’s gorgeous here. There is only a beach break shore landing, so we’ll probably hang on the boat for the day and maybe do a little free diving.  

somewhere between Carmel and San Simeon.

  

So far, no one has fed the fish. This is the favorite spot to get fresh air.

 
 

Ellamae’s art book for boat school.

 

5 day countdown!!!

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All the tanks (water and diesel) are filled and we are ready to set sail! I just have to work 4, 12 hour shifts in a row and spend Wednesday buying last minute fresh food and last minute purging of items.  Wednesday night is our “send off” party at Galilee Harbor in Sausalito. We will be having friends and whoever else wants to join us in potluck style and live music (Peter B. and the Harbor Rats) shenanigans.  We will have an abalone shell set out for people to place a bite of their meal in, so that at the end of the evening, before we cut the lines, we will make an offering to the Gods of the Oceans.  After we “cut the lines”, we will head over to Horseshoe Cove (the little cove at the North end of the Golden Gate Bridge) to drop the anchor one last time in San Francisco Bay. Thursday morning, we will head out after breakfast with a max ebb around 8:30 am. If you happen to be on the Golden Gate Bridge, keep your eyes out for us! First stop: Half Moon Bay.  We will try to update our positions to both Marine Traffic and Farkwar. Click on the links to sign up for email position updates.

Our boat on Marine Traffic

Our Farkwar Map

We have been living “on the hook” for almost 6 months now. It’s hard to believe that this day is finally arriving! My commute to work for the last six month has been a 0.5 – 0.75 miles paddle to shore, then a 12.5 mile bike ride each way. Although challenging at times, overall it has been very rewarding and enjoyable.  Today is my last round trip ride from Sausalito!