Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Golden Gate

We were able to leave Bodega Bay after waiting for two days for 6 little screws to be FedExed to us, of which we only used 4. AND which took Chris about 5 minutes to install. What's wrong with this picture?

The trip from Bodega Bay was smooth and basically uneventful. The fog lifted right where we were sailing south. It really did. I'm not making this up.
It was weird how it was still hanging over land, and out further to sea, but we had a nice little path to follow. The sea was so calm it felt more as if we were sailing (ahem...motoring)
across a big lake, than on the Pacific Ocean. Everyone relaxed (I've included a couple of pictures of the cockpit activities), and we let Dion take over. Chris has tweaked Dion's 'gain' a bit, and on my watch, he stuck to his course admirably. We did see a couple more whales, and got as excited when we spotted them as we did for our first ones. So much so that I wonder if we should temper our enthusiasm just a bit. I seem to recall Chris clutching his chest when Sandy and I simultaneously screamed with excitement at two whales diving nearby. We wouldn't want any coronary 'incidents', now would we?

Passing under the Golden Gate Bridge was spectacular! 
Not only for its splendor, but just for the fact that we 
FINALLY got here, for cryin' in the sink! We had 
waypoints in the GPS to get to the marina,
so were able to easily navigate the Saturday sailing
traffic in San Francisco Bay, and get to the Emery Cove Harbor. Sandy got a little (don't know if that 
adjective is strong enough) tense at the thought of 
putting this fat boat into another single slip, but we managed with only one little nudge on the dock. We tied the boat off, and settled in, pleased that we hadn't sent the boat crashing into the boat in the next slip. 

Emery Cove is a quiet marina at the east end of the Bay Bridge, with most things we need within walking distance. Sunday evening, the dock we are on, had a little social get together. Very friendly bunch, with lots of sailing stories to tell, and helpful tips to share. Today Sandy and I walked to Emeryville and pampered ourselves with pedicures and haircuts. Sandy also got a manicure, then went back to the marina to wash the salt off the boat and probably ruin her new manicure and pedicure:-) 
 
We will be here for about a week more, (which, believe it or not, has been our plan all along) to get our sail repaired, shop, see a few sights, (I'm trying to convince someone to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge with me, but so far no takers) and pick up our crew, Michael and Finn Golden, who will go with us as far as San Diego. 

Everyone is healthy and we are loving the gorgeous weather here! 
Feel free to put your comment on the blog. We eagerly look for them. Sort of like being away at camp. Waiting for that letter from Mom to arrive! 

2 comments:

DMC Friend said...

Little screws that keep the ocean from being on both sides of the hull sound sort of important. Unless you carry a complete machine shop on board this is that fate of boaters everywhere, and I imagine that waiting for FedEx to arrive is better than waiting for the Coasties to pull you out of the water.
In case Chris did not tell you C.B. = coffee break, which was the name of our union steward a long time ago when I was in the rock biz.
We are expecting to get our first little brush from a cold front, right on que for the beginning of fall. You made it out of Newport perhaps just in time!

Lori said...

Hi Patty,

Would LOVE to be in SF right now! I love that city! Glad to hear that Dion is keeping you on course.Beautiful fall weather here the past few days. Have fun in the City by the Bay!