Ensenada, Mexico

Cruiseport Village Marina
 

We did it!!!!

 

Good friends Stayko & Isabelle
 San Diego!

Street vendors
 

Cruiseship in port
 

Every pharmacy will sell this over the counter!!

 

Fish Market
 

 









Southern California

Santa Monica
 

Entering San Diego
 

Dana Point CA
 

Morro Rock, Morro Bay
 

We spent two days/nights on the hook in San Luis Obispo Bay waiting for a good weather window to go around Point Conception.  We left here at 2200 on Sept 2.  We talked to other sailors along our route and everyone advised that the best time to go around that point is right at daybreak.  Looks like this has to be our first night time sailing!  It was overcast with some fog when we set out, light winds 10-15 kts and 4-5' swell.  It was a little eerie sailing in the dark.  We had our radar set and kept a watchful eye for other boats.  The moon decided to give us a brighter perspective and shone in all its glory at about 0400.  We passed numerous oil production platforms and they were well lit, like miniature cities in the middle of the ocean.

Santa Monica
 

Dana Point CA
 

We were right on target, and rounded the dreaded Point Conception(known as the Cape Horn of the Pacific) at 0600 just as the day was breaking! The crossing was uneventful and the wind and waves were much in our favour. Phew that was a blessing and we were happy to be over that hurdle.

San Diego
 




A unique light fixture
 



Wishing Leah could see all
the candy!!
 



San Francisco

Arrived San Francisco at 1500 hrs on Aug 21, 2012.  It was pretty exciting to see the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance and a great feeling of accomplishment when we sailed underneath it. It was an overcast or smog filled afternoon.  There were lots of sailboats in the Bay area and we were approached by coast guard boats gesturing and pointing and holding up STOP sign.  A little intimidating to say the least.  When we came to realize what was happening, the American Cup was on and we were in the wrong sailing lane!! OOPS.  We moved over hastily and everyone was happy!
We did a video of going under the bridge and I will try to add it here. Not much of a techie person but still learning and enjoying the process!


Alcatraz
 

We enjoyed three days and nights here and wished we could have stayed longer.  We visited Pier 39 and took a double decker tour bus around downtown area. Also visited the infamous Haight and Ashbury street. Still a few hippies around but unfortunately we forgot our camera on this day :(
We tried to book a tour to Alcatraz but they were all booked for two months in advance.


San Fran
 

Derek came with us as far as San Francisco and as far as we know, he is still on Alcatraz!!



City Hall
 

Sailing under the bridge
 

Golden Gate Bridge
 



Update Southbound voyage

Reached Garibaldi, Oregon on Aug 9.  Great sailing day.  Entrance to the harbour was a little tricky but thanks to Captain Paul, we arrived safely.  Had a visit from the Coast Guard at the dock. Nice guys, very young.  They just took our boat info and were on their way again.  This is a pretty little town.  They have a huge "G" on the hilltop and it is all aglow with lights at night.
Arrived Newport Aug 10. Had to get some stitching repaired on our JIB Sail. Had fresh Dungeness crab for supper. Paid $8 each to the fishermen. Had a visit from customs.
We left Newport at 0645 on Aug 12.  Very high rolling seas, at 8ft. We were intending to go to Coos Bay but per the Coast Guard the bar had restrictions so we decided to stop at Umpqua River instead.  The bar here was also restricted to boats under 21' , little rough crossing but Genesis did just fine.
Boarded again by Coast Guard, they checked all safety gear and boat info.  We passed inspection!!
Lots of kids on the dock crab fishing.
Left Umpqua River at 0645, great winds for sailing. Broad reach and wing on wing for about four hours.
Then all of a sudden the winds picked up and we were smack dab into our first gale. Winds gusts at time were 45kts. Spray was blowing off the waves and we all got "doused" a few times. Paul and I were wearing our survival suits and when things got rough Derek put on a life vest!!
Arrived Port Orford at 1600, glad to get out of the stormy seas. There is no marina here but the anchorage was very good.  The fishermen here have to take their boats out of the water every day and go on dry dock.   There is a boat lift there for pulling the boats out.  We spent three nights here at anchorage waiting for the weather to improve.  We took dinghey ashore the first morning and got some supplies.  The waves were rolling on the shore and we all got soaked.  We staying on Genesis after that!! A little boring but we made the most of it.  Better to sit safely at anchor then head out into the stormy seas.  And hey we're retired, what,s the rush!  A few glasses of wine were consumed, and we fed the sea gulls!
Wifi at the marina here is very slow.  I will try to add photos later when we find a place with high speed.