Kayak adventure

Adventure for the day: We anchored in Smuggler’s Cove and chatted with fellow cruisers, also at anchor, about their dinghy ride into shore, a hike up the road to an old adobe ranch house, and the view from the top of the hill. They encouraged us to check it out. So, after lunch, we dropped the kayaks in the water and paddled toward land, only to find breaking surf waiting for us (really, we couldn’t see how big it was from the boat!). Despite our best efforts at good timing, we were flipped and dumped and dragged ourselves and the now water-and-pebble-laden kayaks up on the shingle. We squelched our way up the road to see the house, built in 1895 with a unique sundial above the entry door, and back—more focused on how to get through the surf than the history of Santa Cruz Island, sad to say. It turns out there was a pattern: two big waves, a five second pause, followed by two small waves, followed by a pause of 10 seconds or so. I just caught the lip of the last small wave, and was safely beyond the surf. Marv was late getting into the 10-second pause and took both big waves head-on. Fortunately, he was 90 degrees to them, paddling like crazy, rode through them and safely into deep water. We discovered that the kayaks still go when they are full of water, though they don’t track quite as well. A warm, fresh-water “tea-cup” shower on board Odyssey followed our swim. And our appreciation for the pattern, rhythm, and power of this world keeps growing.

Whales

North of Point Arguella, motoring in calm waters with marine fog that is just beginning to break up (in an hour or two, we will be left with blue skies and rising winds), we pass through a pod of a dozen or so whales. We think they are humpbacks, but they may be blues. The small parts we see—a dorsal fin, a spout and arched back, a fluke tossed back—leave us with an impression of immensity and the realization that we are superficial visitors, just skimming the surface in their world.

Moro Bay

This has to be the coolest bar in the world!

And the Moro Bay Yacht Club is most welcoming! Good people, good food, good advice, quick hands on the dock lines. Many thanks to them!

Sea Lion City

Monterey harbor is rife with sea lions. They are pushy and aggressive and loud as they jockey for position on the sand, breakwater, buoys, and anchored or moored boats, creating a din that rivals Pier 39 in San Francisco. Several years ago, they sank a boat sitting at anchor. We tied up in slip B-14, scouted out the local Farmer’s Market, met a long-time friend from Carmel for dinner on the boat, and made arrangements for the night watchman to come by the boat at midnight to check the engine wiring (Odyssey wouldn’t start unless plugged into shore power at Half Moon Bay this morning, and the night watchman is an acknowledged “engine guy”). The stars were bright, the night was clear. It was about 2:00 AM when we heard the night watchman: “Get out of that boat!” “Get out of there!” followed by “Hey, Marv, wake up, you’ve got a sea lion in your cockpit.” Fortunately, the forward hatch cover was almost closed, because as Marv came up from the rear hatch, boat hook in hand, the lion climbed up into the “oven” (the space beneath the dodger), but was ultimately persuaded to leave over the starboard beam. The alternative of a sea lion down the hatch and into the main cabin is hard to imagine (“Sell the boat” was one suggestion offered in that event). Next morning, we were told that “No one has ever had a sea lion come on board on the docks.” Nice to be a first. (Photos courtesy of the internet/Flickr.com)

Half Moon Bay -- first stop

Dinner with friends in Half Moon Bay helped make up for the sea-sick ride over the bar and down the confused seas' coast...

At the wheel

Ardy is a bit anxious

And we headed out...

... we motored under the Gate and turned left

Getting Ready

Adventures begin with desire and inspiration and planning. This adventure has long been a dream for Marv, and he has planned and prepared for years. Still, as any seasoned cruiser will tell you, that ideal state of “readiness” when the boat is fully equipped, the gear is stowed, the crew is eager and fit, and the galley is amply supplied, will never be reached. You just need to go… and so, with good advice and warm wishes from our Marina Village neighbors...