Snowshoe makes sure the charts don't blow away in the cockpit. 
As we pass Cape Mendocino, California making our way South. The winds were light, though from the South(darn it) and seas running about 1 meter. An easy crossing till later that night.
Sun setting shortly after 2000 hours just off Cape Mendocino. 
The entrance to Noyo River Marina in Ft. Bragg, CA.
Our first palm tree of California--the land of "milk and honey"so they say.
We left Crescent City at almost exactly 0800 after a nice breakfast of hot oatmeal and headed out on a beautiful sunny morning navigating past their navigation aids and out into the ocean. As we left the marina, Tracy found the clevis pin that holds the forestaysail stay to the deck had just about come lose and out of it's fitting. We'd installed the pin back in Port Townsend with a set up so that we can remove the stay when we only want to use the big Genoa sail. We'd used the forestaysail sail a good bit as we headed South and apparently, it had worked it self loose. Once we were out, I went forward with a hammer and unscrewed the stay until I could get the pin back through the holes it is supposed to be in. I'll be looking in our stock of spare parts for a more "permanent" pin that won't come loose. Within an hour, we were back in the fog and it stayed that way till about 1130 with it coming and going. All the weather forecasts had been for Northwest winds in the 5 to 10 knot range. We of course, found the winds to be from the South--exactly where we were heading. You can't sail a sailboat into the wind so the engine stayed on as we slowly plowed along at just over 6 knots.
We ran with the radar on to try and help us find not only our way through the fog but to help us not hit another fishing boat as we motored along. Visibility was down to about 100 feet at some times and the small fishing boats were hard to see. We almost hit one as he came out of the fog right across our bow. Tracy had to quickly shift course to avoid him. Not a blip on the radar screen until he was behind us. While AIS(shows the big boats) is great for navigating in shipping channels, radar is the way to go for all around protection. If you can afford it, get the best you can afford and mount it as high as you can for better range. Ours goes out 16 miles at most and the big ships travel at well over 20 knots so the gap between us can get eaten up quickly. With the engine running, we left it on for almost the entire trip.
Shortly after 1200, we were buzzed by a Coast Guard helicopter checking us out and I'm sure taking pictures of us. A quick buzz and they headed South for parts unknown. We saw lots of types of birds just bobbing along in the water with lots of youngsters keeping close to Mom & Dad as they bobbed along. As we came near, they all dove under water and disappeared. No whales and very few seals. Not a dolphin was seen.
Since the winds were light--about 5 knots, I fired up the barbecue on the stern and did some hamburgers for dinner--even added cheese. With green beans, we had a nice dinner in the cockpit.
While in Crescent City, Tracy had long talks with Benita aboard Moon Angel about their voyages and what they did for snacks as they voyaged. They set up a grab bag of all kinds of snacks from nuts and M & M's to popcorn. We tried it this time with different things and it was great to be able to just reach into a bag and get something special to nosh on during the night while on watch. Now as we tour the grocery stores we watch for more healthy snacks. Tracy also got a class on radar which was great after the fog we ran into as we headed out. I'll be pulling out the manual while we are in Ft. Bragg and seeing what other things it can do for us.
We planned to pass Cape Mendocino just as the Sun was setting to make sure we were past the hardest part of the trip while we still had light. There was a full moon scheduled for the night and so far, the sky was clear. We rounded the cape just as the Sun was setting. That's when the "fun" began.
The moon rose out of the east and the seas started to heave and churn. Tracy was resting below before her watch started at 2300 hours. The winds had shifted finally from the South to the Northeast(coming off the shore) shortly after the Sun set and started piping up to the 20 knot range or higher. The seas grew to about 6 to 8 feet and we got suddenly "pooped" by a large wave. For all you landlubbers, the definition of getting "pooped" is when a wave slams into the stern of your boat and hits hard enough to swamp the deck. That's exactly what happened. As we headed South, a BIG wave slammed into the stern port quarter and splashed over the deck. Luckily, with the cockpit enclosed in canvas, we were dry, but there are instances of cockpits getting filled with water. We had already changed out our companionway doors from the standard ones on hinges to the new drop in boards we had made in Port Townsend so there was little chance of any major water getting below deck. Still, the force of the wave through off the auto pilot and it started having a hissy and loudly proclaimed that it could not keep course if we were going to treat it like this. The wave turned us over 90 degrees of course. I disengaged the autopilot and grabbed the wheel turning us back on course and on a heading that better suited the wave action around us. This is what boaters expect as they cross past most of the capes along the Pacific coast. We have run into this regularly as we passed along the coasts of Washington and Oregon. While a bit less in California, they can still surprise you--especially at night.
Blue and Snowshoe stayed in the cockpit though out the day and well into the night. Just before Tracy came up on deck for her watch, Blue found a way out of the canvas enclosure and decided to take a walk along the deck. One minute she was sitting on her cushion and the next she was gone. The winds had built to about 23 knots--from the stern-- and the seas had grown to about 6 to 8 feet and she thought she would go for a walk!!!! I was(to say the least) ticked!!! On came the tether cord--I always wear a life jacket when on deck-- and I clipped onto the "Jack Line"(safety line that runs the length of the boat)and out I went in search of our crazy cat. Just as I stepped out, she came slowly walking toward the stern from the bow like it was the most natural thing for her to be out there taking a nice evening stroll!!! I called for her to come--good luck with that!! She decided to jump onto the top of the bimini(the canvas that encloses the cockpit) and lie down and roll over on her back. I ran around the outside of the cockpit and quickly grabbed her and threw her back through the door to the cockpit. She'd used another of her nine lives. She could have easily gone over board. Needless to say, both cats will now be confined to quarters after dark in the future.
I headed below for my rest break(now full of adrenaline) after what had just happened and tried to get some rest. The seas were in a confused state with Zephyr bobbing up and down and side to side. This makes getting rest tough in the stern cabin. One minute, you are flat and the next minute, you are standing on our feet, then flat, then standing on your head. With my back still out of alignment, it became impossible to sleep so I grabbed a pillow and headed toward one of the forward bunks that I can wedge myself into and not get thrown around. Showshoe was already in there so we shared a bunk. I was up and back on watch at 0300 hours. The moon was still up and bright and the seas had calmed a bit so the rolling wasn't so bad. Tracy took off for below to catch so Z's. I watched a movie on my Ipod as we continued along in much calmer seas than had been earlier and watched the moon set at 0445. It had been a welcome sight throughout the night. The Sun was due to rise at 0645 but got up late and didn't show up till 0654. Must have had a long night and decided to sleep in I guess.
Tracy came back above deck at 0700 for her watch and I just stayed since we were just a few miles away from Ft. Bragg and the Noyo River. As we headed in, Tracy cooked up some eggs and bacon for breakfast. Later, Tracy put out the fenders and dock lines in preparation of our arrival. I'd called the Noyo River Marina(pays to plan ahead) shortly after we left Crescent City to make arrangements for Thursday night so we knew exactly where we would be staying. We headed into and up the Noyo River just after 0800 and into the marina(39 25.449N 123 48.118W) and tied up.
We walked over to the marina office and checked in and then went back to Zephyr to catch up on some lost sleep. It makes the day much easier when you get some rest after a voyage--even a short one like this one. It was just about a 24 hour trip yet it can take it out of you.
We were up by 1200 and headed up the hill into town to see what they had to offer and get some lunch and check out their mass transit system. Being on foot can get old if you are shopping for things. We always check out each towns system. It make it much easier to get around. A nice lunch at David's Deli and some grocery shopping at the local market. I found some cork gasket material to have on board that can be used to seal the diesel or water tanks should the need arise. I need a piece that it at least 12" wide. I'd found 10" but now I found 12 so we are set for that "just in case" moment.
Back to Zephyr to check the transmission fluid now that it had had a chance to cool down and rest. The fluid is still at the top of the dip stick so we will see how it is later this morning now that it will be stone cold. I'll be changing the oil in the diesel injector pump this afternoon since it's hit the 50 hour mark.
We got a call from George and Celeste aboard Nereid that we had "buddied" with down a great deal of the coast. They had made it to Bodega Bay and were checking in. They recommend us by passing Bodega Bay as there is nothing there worth stopping for. With that being the case, we will probably head for Drakes Bay just North of San Francisco tomorrow. It's just over 105 miles so we will set off about mid day so that we arrive in daylight. There is no marina there so we will be back on the hook again which is just fine with us. We're surprised at the condition of the marinas as we head South. Most are in dire need of repair or replacement. If you're out there Bill Gates reading my blog, how about spreading some of your charities monies on the fishing industries marinas along the Pacific coast. They sure could use the infusion of cash.
Well, it's another day with jobs to be done so I'll close for now. Sure was a long one. By the way, if you haven't heard, Mike Perham completed his round the world trip a few days ago. At age 17, he is the youngest to do so as a solo voyager. Our hats are off to him and his accomplishment. We've been following his trip for the past year. Google him. It's a great read.
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