24 Days...The Difference Between Cruising and Racing

   After a couple of days on the dock at the Morro Bay Yacht Club, we headed for Santa Barbara.  In the cool of the night, the sea around Point Conception was rolling which made the ride a bit uncomfortable with no land to focus on.  About 22 hours and 111 nautical miles later, we arrived at the Santa Barbara Yacht Club guest dock where we docked with Gold Country Yacht Club friends, Steve and Laurie Ells, on Nommo.  Thanks to the Ells, it was all aboard Valhalla for appetizers and Margaritas; A very nice welcome, indeed.   At last, we have made it to sunny Southern California! 

   After two leisurely days here, we headed out with Nommo on her maiden voyage to the Channel Islands.  We enjoyed a vigorous sail when winds kicked up between 22 to 27 knots.  Both boats anchored for the night at Prisoner’s Bay.  Nommo headed back to Santa Barbara and Captain and crew aboard Valhalla took off in hopes of finding dolphins and more beautiful anchorages. 

Bound for Mexico

    Next stop, Coches Prietos…what a gem!  We set anchor alongside one other boat and soon after, Stewart, Shawna, Don and I were swimming in cool, clear water of the ocean bay.  The color of the water and the scenery at this anchorage is absolutely spectacular.  It was good we got there early because by evening, the anchorage was full up with 5 sailboats, plus a couple other boats.  We had the front row to the beach and spent a perfect 24 hours here swimming and hiking.

   We pulled up anchor and motor sailed along the coast of Santa Cruz Island back toward our next anchorage of Smuggler’s Cove.  Along the way, we witnessed an orange Coast Guard helicopter hovering above a fishing vessel while both vehicles were in forward motion, It was interesting to watch, but we later learned it was an actual rescue, not a drill.   After a brief one night stop here, we headed to the Port of Los Angeles.

    The magnitude of this Port is amazing.  Talk about L.A. traffic!  Big boats, little boats, tugs, freighters, tankers, fishing boats, Coast Guard and harbor patrol.  Our boat seemed so small passing by this enormous cruise ship in  the channel.  A little way up the channel to San Pedro, we met up with Island Girl, Hugh and Nicki Talman’s new boat.   Don and I, with our crew of Stewart Neilsen and Shawna Emery, met up with Talmans’ and their crew of Ken Neely and Janis Johnon.   Soon after, both boats will be on our way to Two Harbors on Catalina Island!  Once again, beautiful warm weather with plenty of wind made for a great day of sailing.  We moored up side by side with Island Girl in the island paradise.  More swimming and then we were off to shore for an island cocktail called Buffalo Milk! 

Catalina...Here we come!

   Time does fly when you’re having fun and it was time to head back to the Port to drop off crew and pick up my son, Dalton.  This will be his first ocean voyage and first island adventure.  Valhalla made another 25 nautical mile trek back to Catalina.  With little wind for the crossing, sailing was slow going, but seeing dolphins made our day.  We met Island Girl in the mooring field at Descanso Bay next to Avalon.   The next day, we snorkeled around and spotted colorful Garibaldi fish hanging out in swaying seaweed beds.  Later, we went ashore for a nice dinner of fresh fish…”party of seven”.   In the morning, we headed back to port of L.A. with Island Girl.  We got in another great sail when winds kicked up nicely in our favor.

     In a couple of days, Don and I will be moving along down the coast to San Diego.  To date, we, with Valhalla, have completed 540 nautical miles in a leisurely 24 days.  I guess that would be the difference between cruising and racing.  Although while in San Diego, we will be preparing for the XIX Baja Ha-Ha regatta and then technically, we will become racer cruisers!