Ready...Set...Sail

Out the Gate

 With our crew on board, out the Gate we went leaving behind the security of our slip in Marina Village on Alameda.  Down the coast, it's one leg at a time.  Our first stop was Half Moon Bay where we attended the Yacht Club’s Ho-Down Party with our crew, Randy and Nancy Rowland and Janis Johnson.  The next day, the fog leaving Half Moon Bay was really dense, damp and cold.  We were reminded why it is we’re heading to Mexico and that is … in search of warm weather sailing!  Excited as we are, the reality of the duration of our trip has yet to set in. 

Winging It Down the Coast

   After the fog burned off, we set the sails for Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay.  Soon after our departure, the weather got warmer and the wind was perfect for easy, no stress sailing of the Bay while we waited for our next crew. 
   Stewart Nielsen and Shawna Emery boarded Valhalla and soon after we headed for San Simeon Bay.  With mild wind most of the day, we had a casual ride with a crystal clear view of the scenic Big Sur coastline.  After a beautiful sunset, the wind picked up and we got to sail wing and wing literally all night long.  The sky was clear, the sea was smooth and the milky way was brilliant! Shortly after sunrise, we sailed into San Simeon Bay and anchored for the day and night.  

   Saturday morning, the wind stayed consistently behind us between 15 and 20 knots on our run to Morro Bay.  The wind and the seas are building for the next couple days so we'll wait it out here before we go around Point Conception and then onto Santa Barbara.