San Francisco to Monterey

We had a week of bittersweet ‘goodbyes’. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love bidding us fair winds and following seas. From the get togethers at homes and the harbor to the balloons and cheers as we crossed the Golden Gate, we were humbled by the love surrounding us. The hardest part might be the last hugs from the little ones. They grow up a lot when you’re away for awhile 😦

Leg 1-San Rafael to Pillar Point Harbor

Thanks to whomever arranged for the C-130 flyover as we departed.

While watching the parasailing at Palisades Park we saw a couple of Orcas(they don’t show up very well in this video.

Princeton by the Sea

Syd driving us to dinner at Barbara’s Fish Trap (shoutout from Syd on the fish n chips)

Beach day at Ross’ cove.

Leg 2-Pillar Point Harbor to Monterey(62km)

Up at 4:30 to make time for a light wind slow sail. Wanted to arrive before dark if possible. But…at the first engine room check I figured out why the engine room seemed a bit damp the day before. The raw water hose going from the oil cooler to the transmission cooler said 25 years was enough. It wasn’t on my spares list so I had to McGiver some of my hose supply to get things going. Heading out 2 hours late meant we could only sail if we got some wind(see photo below). So we motored the whole way anyway.

But we did have an awesome whale/sea lion encounter. We had to stop the boat and wait for them to pass so we wouldn’t hit anybody. The first video is a little disjointed because I was so distracted by all the activity(I’m more of an observer than a photographer).

Syd and Susanna were on the bow. Syd said she could have jumped on its back. Knowing
her she probably would have.

Definitely one of the best whale encounters we’ve had.

Monterey

Love the Monterey Harbor. Lots of sea life. Close to everything. The Aquarium, downtown, Fishermans Wharf, even Costco, Home Depot, and Target are a short bike ride away. The bike trail along the bay goes as far as we wanted to go in either direction. Great food, Farmers Market, love the vibe. Here till Saturday when we do an overnight sail so we arrive in San Simeon in the Morning.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Sorry gratuitous aquarium memories

Toto came down from Santa Cruz to spend the day. Chauffeured us around for some shopping then spent the rest of the day in Carmel.

Sisters chillin’ watching the sunset at Carmel Beach

Mom and daughter strolin’ down Carmel Beach watching the dolphins play in the surf.

Mom took a whole album of architectural shots(we’ll share albums a little further down the road)

Syd had to say goodbye to some the friends she met in Monterey.

Had a visit from Sean Coleman. Sean crewed for me through Central America and on to the Marquesas as a teenager, 20 years ago. Now he’s a Dad in Monterey. We’d lost touch but he happened to be in a sailing race and as he was walking to his car saw the Dr. John and had to see if we still owned her. A little bit of serendipity here in Monterey.

Tomorrow(Sep. 14) we’re off to San Simeon bay and Hearst Castle.

Monterey was where we really earned our live aboard cruiser patch. At some point I’ll have to do a page on what it’s like living on a boat at anchor or in a marina. No car just your feet or the e-bike adapted for 2. Community showers at the marina or short(sometimes warm) ones on the boat at anchor. A fridge that reminds you of the one you had in your dorm room. Wild animal sounds instead of the sounds of the city. Getting to spend time undistracted with the people most important to you. Each will be a chapter in our cruising memoir.