journey on
New member
Great trip and you must have had fun. How about some pics and a list of harbours visited?
Boris
Boris
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Flight of the Blue Eagle
- Thread starter mailbox101
- Start date
mailbox101
New member
Leaving Santa Barbara there were plentiful dolphins just about a mile south and SSE of Mugo Lagoon(where the base is) There was someone doing touch-and-goes with a four engine AWACS, which was rather odd to watch, but I guess that you have to practice, qualify, and get hours even for the big birds.
We finally reached Marina del Rey yesterday, and got all checked in with the Marina, where we intend the base out of until the Catalina Cruise next month, although we will be back and forth to home.
Today we took the fold-up bikes out and rode up to the pier in Santa Monica, using the bike path that meanders through the beach in Venice. Although the bikes are really kewl, and fold up in the boats' closet, I had to do a lot of work to tighten things down and fix a few parts because they are apparently assembled at the store by employees who know much about boats, and not much about bicycles. Fortunately they are under warrantee and there is a West Marine not far from here.
We're now going to spend the weekend exploring the area, taking a quick trip up to see Roger and CJ(C-Hawk, previously Fishtales), up at Channel Islands Harbor, stop by Inflatable Boats Specialists to thank them for the rush job on the dinghy, pop by Two Harbors for a night, clean up the boat, and of course, fix the Wallas.
David
PS Boris, our ports of call included Monterey, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, and Marina del Rey, and we intend to add Oxnard, Ventura, Two Harbors, and possibly Avalon over the weekend. Right now I am still posting from my iPhone, but when I get home, to a real computer, I'll be glad to post some of the pictures.
We finally reached Marina del Rey yesterday, and got all checked in with the Marina, where we intend the base out of until the Catalina Cruise next month, although we will be back and forth to home.
Today we took the fold-up bikes out and rode up to the pier in Santa Monica, using the bike path that meanders through the beach in Venice. Although the bikes are really kewl, and fold up in the boats' closet, I had to do a lot of work to tighten things down and fix a few parts because they are apparently assembled at the store by employees who know much about boats, and not much about bicycles. Fortunately they are under warrantee and there is a West Marine not far from here.
We're now going to spend the weekend exploring the area, taking a quick trip up to see Roger and CJ(C-Hawk, previously Fishtales), up at Channel Islands Harbor, stop by Inflatable Boats Specialists to thank them for the rush job on the dinghy, pop by Two Harbors for a night, clean up the boat, and of course, fix the Wallas.
David
PS Boris, our ports of call included Monterey, Morro Bay, Santa Barbara, and Marina del Rey, and we intend to add Oxnard, Ventura, Two Harbors, and possibly Avalon over the weekend. Right now I am still posting from my iPhone, but when I get home, to a real computer, I'll be glad to post some of the pictures.
Talked with David yesterday, his dad- Don, slipped and broke his elbow.
He went through surgery last night to repair the damage. David called and said he was doing OK and should be out of the hospital today.
Ya'll keep him in you thoughts to have a good and full recovery.
Roger King
He went through surgery last night to repair the damage. David called and said he was doing OK and should be out of the hospital today.
Ya'll keep him in you thoughts to have a good and full recovery.
Roger King
Roger, Thanks for the update. I hope David's Dad is O.K. now!
David, if we can help, let us know. Marcia and I live in Santa Maria (about 100 miles north of Marina del Rey) and are retired so our schedules are pretty flexible.
We're looking forward to Two Harbors in August and are glad you're attending as well. Hopefully, this accident won't change your plans.
Enjoyed your descriptions of the "big cruise". I'd sure be up for a group cruise down the coast if we could capture a decent weather window.
Best of luck!
Kent and Marcia
MARCIA JANE
David, if we can help, let us know. Marcia and I live in Santa Maria (about 100 miles north of Marina del Rey) and are retired so our schedules are pretty flexible.
We're looking forward to Two Harbors in August and are glad you're attending as well. Hopefully, this accident won't change your plans.
Enjoyed your descriptions of the "big cruise". I'd sure be up for a group cruise down the coast if we could capture a decent weather window.
Best of luck!
Kent and Marcia
MARCIA JANE
mailbox101
New member
Thank you for your warm wishes, and offers of help.
The surgery went well and my father was discharged from the hospital late this afternoon. The doctor wants to see him on Monday or Tuesday so we are staying in the area, and he is catching up on his sleep.
If one is going to fall off a bike and break an elbow, Marina del Rey is a good place to do it. Apparently, a number of pro athletes live in the area, and quality orthopedic care is available.
This should not affect our plans for the Catalina trip as he should be well on the way to recovery by then.
I am glad that you enjoyed the narrative of our journey down the coast. A group cruise own the coast would be a lot of fun. It would probably have to be slightly later in the season then when we did it as we spent 16 days in a holding pattern waiting for the weather to be right. Let's talk more about it when we see you next month.
David
The surgery went well and my father was discharged from the hospital late this afternoon. The doctor wants to see him on Monday or Tuesday so we are staying in the area, and he is catching up on his sleep.
If one is going to fall off a bike and break an elbow, Marina del Rey is a good place to do it. Apparently, a number of pro athletes live in the area, and quality orthopedic care is available.
This should not affect our plans for the Catalina trip as he should be well on the way to recovery by then.
I am glad that you enjoyed the narrative of our journey down the coast. A group cruise own the coast would be a lot of fun. It would probably have to be slightly later in the season then when we did it as we spent 16 days in a holding pattern waiting for the weather to be right. Let's talk more about it when we see you next month.
David
Jim Gibson
Member
David-
Please post your arrival at Morrow Bay. That can be a very tricky bar enterence.
Say hello to Donald for us. He is a real trooper!
David, please be careful out there and we will see you in Catalina! Even though you have a 26 footer, it is a big nasty ocean.
Jim and Kath
David, you are actually doing a trip that I have always dreamed about doing in my 22 foot C-Dory.
God Speed.
Please post your arrival at Morrow Bay. That can be a very tricky bar enterence.
Say hello to Donald for us. He is a real trooper!
David, please be careful out there and we will see you in Catalina! Even though you have a 26 footer, it is a big nasty ocean.
Jim and Kath
David, you are actually doing a trip that I have always dreamed about doing in my 22 foot C-Dory.
God Speed.
Jim Gibson
Member
Wow David!
I am impressed. You actually did it and made it! You took your C-Dory out the Golden Gate, turned left, and went to Marina Del Ray. To me this is more impressive than the C-Dory's that have made the Alaska Inside Passage Cruise.
I think you are the very first skipper on this C-Dory site to ever make this epic coastal cruise down almost the entire length of the rugged Coast, in open ocean the entire way. This is an impressive achievement to accomplish in a small boat. Congratulations!
I don't know how you will ever get back to San Francisco, but we look forward to celebrating your achievement when we see you on the Catalina Off-Shore Adventure. The best to you and your father.
Sincerely,
Jim
I am impressed. You actually did it and made it! You took your C-Dory out the Golden Gate, turned left, and went to Marina Del Ray. To me this is more impressive than the C-Dory's that have made the Alaska Inside Passage Cruise.
I think you are the very first skipper on this C-Dory site to ever make this epic coastal cruise down almost the entire length of the rugged Coast, in open ocean the entire way. This is an impressive achievement to accomplish in a small boat. Congratulations!
I don't know how you will ever get back to San Francisco, but we look forward to celebrating your achievement when we see you on the Catalina Off-Shore Adventure. The best to you and your father.
Sincerely,
Jim
Jim Gibson":31we3cwa said:Wow David!
I am impressed. You actually did it and made it! You took your C-Dory out the Golden Gate, turned left, and went to Marina Del Ray. To me this is more impressive than the C-Dory's that have made the Alaska Inside Passage Cruise.
I think you are the very first skipper on this C-Dory site to ever make this epic coastal cruise down almost the entire length of the rugged Coast, in open ocean the entire way. This is an impressive achievement to accomplish in a small boat. Congratulations!
I don't know how you will ever get back to San Francisco, but we look forward to celebrating your achievement when we see you on the Catalina Off-Shore Adventure. The best to you and your father.
Sincerely,
Jim
Was enjoying the start of this adventure just prior to us leaving north this year and didn't read the outcome until our return just a short time ago. Thoroughly enjoyed the telling and comments and think the quote above to be very accurate with the key word separating the two being the "Inland" Passage.
Jay
mailbox101
New member
Time flys by and summer is over.
Blue Eagle began our northward migration last evening. An interesting moment came at 10:08:32 pm as our plane flew directly over the marina that we intend to return to, with our boat, sometime in the near future.
Incidentally, the plane that we took to get to the boat was a brand new Boeing 737 that the airline took delivery of in July. If the airlines are starting to buy planes again that should be good news for those of you up in Washington.
Despite the mishap with my fathers elbow we still managed to take five trips in the area. On one of them, just south of LAX, a pod of whales surfaced near us. I cut the engines so we wouldn't hurt or spook them and was rewarded with a close-up viewing, as they stayed near the surface, not far from us for several minutes.
Today we headed up to Santa Barbara. We took the coastal route, instead of cutting directly across the water, and the scenery was fantastic. Not only were we just offshore from Venice, the Santa Monica Pier, and Malibu, but there was a gentle, soft haze on the water which was being converted into thunderstorms way up in the Santa Monica mountains as the humidity was forced to gain altitude and cool off.
We encountered a large pod of porpoises, as well as a small pod of dolphins, one of which was repeatedly breaching! Unfortunately, they were heading south and we are heading north so we didn't get to see them as long as I'd have liked. It also may prove that they are smarter then me.
In Santa Barbara, we finally managed to meet up with Roger and Pat from C-Hawk for dinner and got to trade stories of our coastal trip for some about the Lake Powell adventures, as they had just gotten back.
In the morning we plan to go for it, and run Point Conception from the south, which is against the current. If all goes well my next post will be from Morro Bay, where inclement weather may force us to hole up for a few days; at this point I give us about a 50/50 chance of making Monterey this weekend. Anyway, time to get to bed so I'll be alert in the morning.
David
Blue Eagle began our northward migration last evening. An interesting moment came at 10:08:32 pm as our plane flew directly over the marina that we intend to return to, with our boat, sometime in the near future.
Incidentally, the plane that we took to get to the boat was a brand new Boeing 737 that the airline took delivery of in July. If the airlines are starting to buy planes again that should be good news for those of you up in Washington.
Despite the mishap with my fathers elbow we still managed to take five trips in the area. On one of them, just south of LAX, a pod of whales surfaced near us. I cut the engines so we wouldn't hurt or spook them and was rewarded with a close-up viewing, as they stayed near the surface, not far from us for several minutes.
Today we headed up to Santa Barbara. We took the coastal route, instead of cutting directly across the water, and the scenery was fantastic. Not only were we just offshore from Venice, the Santa Monica Pier, and Malibu, but there was a gentle, soft haze on the water which was being converted into thunderstorms way up in the Santa Monica mountains as the humidity was forced to gain altitude and cool off.
We encountered a large pod of porpoises, as well as a small pod of dolphins, one of which was repeatedly breaching! Unfortunately, they were heading south and we are heading north so we didn't get to see them as long as I'd have liked. It also may prove that they are smarter then me.
In Santa Barbara, we finally managed to meet up with Roger and Pat from C-Hawk for dinner and got to trade stories of our coastal trip for some about the Lake Powell adventures, as they had just gotten back.
In the morning we plan to go for it, and run Point Conception from the south, which is against the current. If all goes well my next post will be from Morro Bay, where inclement weather may force us to hole up for a few days; at this point I give us about a 50/50 chance of making Monterey this weekend. Anyway, time to get to bed so I'll be alert in the morning.
David
mailbox101
New member
Woke up late, called the Vandenberg AFB hotline(1-800-648-1039) to make sure they weren't testing any missiles today, and started up the coast from Santa Barbara. There was not as much wildlife as yesterday, particularly once we entered the cooler current from the north.
We did take a detour to see the Point Conception lighthouse; mounted impressively atop a bluff jutting it's way into the Pacific, Coho; the last sheltered anchorage before the point, and of course Point Honda; where the destroyer tragedy occured.
Cutting in close to the coast ended up costing us a lot of time since the waves were much larger and we had to reduce to displacement speed for several hours. There was also an effect from the mixing of the two currents, resulting in wildly varying speed over ground, as we went back and forth from running with the current to running against it several times; sometime reversing itself within a distance of a few hundred yards.
We ended up making it to Morro Bay just before dark, while in 1/10th mile visibility fog, and found mooring through the MB Yacht Club.
Over dinner we saw on the news that earlier today two people were seriously injured, and one died, trying to cross the bar out of Morro Bay in a small aluminum boat. None of them had life jackets on, and the one who drowned was recovered only 1.2 miles away, which in my mind means a life jacket would have saved his life. Let this be a reminder to all of us.
Looks like we're going to be socked in for a few days; 5ft wind waves are expected along Big Sur, and so it might be a while before we continue on to Monterey. I'll keep on posting when we do.
David
We did take a detour to see the Point Conception lighthouse; mounted impressively atop a bluff jutting it's way into the Pacific, Coho; the last sheltered anchorage before the point, and of course Point Honda; where the destroyer tragedy occured.
Cutting in close to the coast ended up costing us a lot of time since the waves were much larger and we had to reduce to displacement speed for several hours. There was also an effect from the mixing of the two currents, resulting in wildly varying speed over ground, as we went back and forth from running with the current to running against it several times; sometime reversing itself within a distance of a few hundred yards.
We ended up making it to Morro Bay just before dark, while in 1/10th mile visibility fog, and found mooring through the MB Yacht Club.
Over dinner we saw on the news that earlier today two people were seriously injured, and one died, trying to cross the bar out of Morro Bay in a small aluminum boat. None of them had life jackets on, and the one who drowned was recovered only 1.2 miles away, which in my mind means a life jacket would have saved his life. Let this be a reminder to all of us.
Looks like we're going to be socked in for a few days; 5ft wind waves are expected along Big Sur, and so it might be a while before we continue on to Monterey. I'll keep on posting when we do.
David
mailbox101
New member
On the road again... well at least the water that is. Thursday night we went back down to Morro Bay, got a few hours sleep on the boat, untied from the mooring, and headed up the coast. The weather was calm, although there was not as much sea life visible as in the other direction.
We took a look at the anchorage at San Simeon. The protected area is very small and only shelters you from the west and northwest. I was glad that we had decided to put into Morro Bay instead.
Continuing north both the wind waves and swells continued to grow. I somehow managed to prepare a lunch of cold cut sandwiches on wheat bread with tomatoes and crushed avocado, potato salad, and a fresh fruit salad; not easy given the weather. Per our usual custom for mealtime in large waves/swells the Martinelli's was replaced with seltzer water as it does not stain when spilled.
As we were eating lunch, my father, who was facing aft, looked like something was bothering him. I asked him what, and he summed it up nicely, "I don't like it when I'm looking down at the engines.". I couldn't agree more.
The boat was still handling well despite the conditions, although we were down to about 3 knots, which was moving our arrival time into very late in the evening or early morning. I did a test turnaround to see how it would handle if we had to return to Morro Bay should conditions deteriorate, and once I was satisfied that downhill (southbound, with the current) would be a piece of cake should we need it, turned back around and continued our passage north.
Shortly after lunch our port prop tangled with some kelp, and I discovered a new use for a dock hook.
As we passed the Bixby Creek Bridge, I decided to go in a bit closer for a better view. Instead of the waves increasing with the shallowness, as I would have expected, the wind waves were greatly reduced, so we were then able to get back on plane and continue on at a more comfortable speed.
We continued to stick close to the shore and much to our relief finally turned the corner into Monterey Bay. From here on in there were lighted buoys to guide us to the harbor as we passed the alluring lights of the waterfront restaurants and cannery row. We finally put in around 10:30p and went by land back to one of the places we'd passed by to have dinner. It was very nice except the street kept swaying; it takes a while to get back ones shore legs.
Overall, it was a good, although challenging, day. Now we are on the homestretch.
David
We took a look at the anchorage at San Simeon. The protected area is very small and only shelters you from the west and northwest. I was glad that we had decided to put into Morro Bay instead.
Continuing north both the wind waves and swells continued to grow. I somehow managed to prepare a lunch of cold cut sandwiches on wheat bread with tomatoes and crushed avocado, potato salad, and a fresh fruit salad; not easy given the weather. Per our usual custom for mealtime in large waves/swells the Martinelli's was replaced with seltzer water as it does not stain when spilled.
As we were eating lunch, my father, who was facing aft, looked like something was bothering him. I asked him what, and he summed it up nicely, "I don't like it when I'm looking down at the engines.". I couldn't agree more.
The boat was still handling well despite the conditions, although we were down to about 3 knots, which was moving our arrival time into very late in the evening or early morning. I did a test turnaround to see how it would handle if we had to return to Morro Bay should conditions deteriorate, and once I was satisfied that downhill (southbound, with the current) would be a piece of cake should we need it, turned back around and continued our passage north.
Shortly after lunch our port prop tangled with some kelp, and I discovered a new use for a dock hook.
As we passed the Bixby Creek Bridge, I decided to go in a bit closer for a better view. Instead of the waves increasing with the shallowness, as I would have expected, the wind waves were greatly reduced, so we were then able to get back on plane and continue on at a more comfortable speed.
We continued to stick close to the shore and much to our relief finally turned the corner into Monterey Bay. From here on in there were lighted buoys to guide us to the harbor as we passed the alluring lights of the waterfront restaurants and cannery row. We finally put in around 10:30p and went by land back to one of the places we'd passed by to have dinner. It was very nice except the street kept swaying; it takes a while to get back ones shore legs.
Overall, it was a good, although challenging, day. Now we are on the homestretch.
David
David
Thanks much for bringing us along. Have been checking out your routes on google map as you go and report and checking coastal weather reports on NOAA. You've taken on one heck of a challenge and are now very close to making it. Hope there is no fog, so you can fully appreciate the sight of the Golden Gate on your now approach from the south and west.
We too have made that turn to see how the boat handles going with the wind and waves before continuing on desired route and at other times decided the better point of valor was just to retreat and try again on a better day. It is good to know you can retreat if needed.
Interesting to hear the waves were better very close to shore. When rounding Cape Ommaney on the southern tip of Baranof Island we were advised by the locals in Port Alexander to do the same thing. Contrary to what I would have done they said the closer we were to shore as we rounded the cape and started north the better the conditions would be. This I think was mainly due to avoiding the worst of the rips and may be what helped you out today.
Agree with your Dad and you about not liking looking down at the engines, but worse to my nervous system is looking up at the big curly wave hanging above the engines when it really gets bad going with the waves.
Jay
Thanks much for bringing us along. Have been checking out your routes on google map as you go and report and checking coastal weather reports on NOAA. You've taken on one heck of a challenge and are now very close to making it. Hope there is no fog, so you can fully appreciate the sight of the Golden Gate on your now approach from the south and west.
We too have made that turn to see how the boat handles going with the wind and waves before continuing on desired route and at other times decided the better point of valor was just to retreat and try again on a better day. It is good to know you can retreat if needed.
Interesting to hear the waves were better very close to shore. When rounding Cape Ommaney on the southern tip of Baranof Island we were advised by the locals in Port Alexander to do the same thing. Contrary to what I would have done they said the closer we were to shore as we rounded the cape and started north the better the conditions would be. This I think was mainly due to avoiding the worst of the rips and may be what helped you out today.
Agree with your Dad and you about not liking looking down at the engines, but worse to my nervous system is looking up at the big curly wave hanging above the engines when it really gets bad going with the waves.
Jay
Jay said:
BTDT, and there is a certain motivation factor that begins to play at that point :shock:
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
"...looking up at the big curly wave hanging above the engines when it really gets bad going with the waves."
BTDT, and there is a certain motivation factor that begins to play at that point :shock:
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Boont Boater
New member
Hi David,
What a great trip! Cruising the bay is going to seem awfully tame after this. Maybe we can meet for that BBQ on Angel Island so we can hear the whole story.
Have you been happy with your twin 90's (I think)?
Jeff
What a great trip! Cruising the bay is going to seem awfully tame after this. Maybe we can meet for that BBQ on Angel Island so we can hear the whole story.
Have you been happy with your twin 90's (I think)?
Jeff
Hi David,
Wow, what a trip! You are a braver soul than I! :wink:
Marcia and I got a real kick out of your father's comment about not liking to look down at the engines. We all have enjoyed his dry sense of humor and tact, but are you sure his comments weren't inspired by stark terror? :shock:
Seriously, this voyage is truly remarkable and inspires us to expand our cruising plans.
Thanks for sharing :smiled :thup
Kent and Marcia
MARCIA JANE
Wow, what a trip! You are a braver soul than I! :wink:
Marcia and I got a real kick out of your father's comment about not liking to look down at the engines. We all have enjoyed his dry sense of humor and tact, but are you sure his comments weren't inspired by stark terror? :shock:
Seriously, this voyage is truly remarkable and inspires us to expand our cruising plans.
Thanks for sharing :smiled :thup
Kent and Marcia
MARCIA JANE