Surf's Up, Duuuude!

Point Conception wasn't nearly as exciting as we had anticipated. Stories of raging seas and ruin as the strong winds pushed around the point had my imaginative mind think of crashing waves and frothy water, despite Eric's reassurance it wasn't going to be too bad. The sea was exactly opposite. Seas were benign and the sky was sunny and warm. By the time we were alongside the point (within view of the lighthouse), we had tossed our jackets below decks and pulled on our sunglasses. We had a steady wind from behind us at about 12 knots and munched on Eric's homemade bread as we rounded the point...

The notorious Point Conception was ultimately a thrill-seeker's let down as we sailed it's benign waters...

Point Conception's lighhouse was a cute, sun-bleached house and tower visible from several miles away


We had barely dropped our anchor on the other side of Point Conception and Eric had already pulled out the fin key, two surfboards and our wetsuits. We were at Hollister Ranch (or Cojo Anchorage) and some of the most perfect waves were breaking only a few hundred feet away from Nanu. I looked at the rocky shoreline and two boats wrecked along the shore I was a little more skeptical, but the surf was up...and Eric was already paddling out...

Wrecked sailboats along the shore at Cojo were somber reminders of careless anchoring drills.

The convenience of having a surf spot a small paddle away from our home was indescribable!

I spent that evening on the beach, watching Eric happier than ever riding waves along the shore. I took a tour along the endless sandy beach and humored myself with the sealions that took a keen ineterest in the fact that Eric could catch waves. They would sneak up behind him and when he turned around, they'd slip under water and out of sight. Down the beach two beached sailboats- one identical to Nanu were somber reminders of what southerly winds and improper anchoring gear will do for you. I surfed the next morning further down the beach, where there were less rocks and enjoyed the mellow waves that seemed to break just right... every time...

Eric didn't hesitate at catching the waves along Hollister Ranch and surfed for two days until he couldn't anymore...

We skipped past the Channel Islands and sailed through the Santa Cruz Channel straight to Catalina Island. It was a lovely sail, although in the end we resorted to the engine, as glassy waters signalled our approach to Catalina.

The flat waters were frustrating for us sailors, but also allowed for a pod of dolphins to play along with us...

In the early morning as we were arriving at Catalina I was on deck and was host to a spectacular show by several dolphins on our bow. They swam with us for nearly forty-five minutes before finally finding something more interesting to do. It was really quite alot of fun hanging my feet over the edge and listening to them!

Catalina was not what I had expected it to be. Tall, desolate hills/mountains reached up on either side of our anchorage. Very little greenery was anywhere to be seen, and what was green was only knee-high scrubs, able to survive in the near-desert conditions. Roads webbed their way up the sides of the escarpments in bright red lines and hummers and Land Rovers dominated the streets. The small town of Two Harbors was not paved and was very rustic, but touristy. One bar, two restaurants and a small general store made up most of the town, with the exception of perhaps fifty trailer/houses. A can of tomato sauce was $3.50.

The town of Two Harbors on Catalina Island.

We spent American Thanksgiving at Two Harbors, and Eric treated me to dinner out that night at the restaurant. Turkey, stuffing, potatoes and butternut squash were placed in front of us, and shortly after, none other than pumpkin pie. We were stuffed!

A fun road that took me back down the mountainside to Two Harbors. Palm trees lined the red dirt road the whole way...

Aside from the scenery, Catalina had something else that she was reknowned for. Exceptionally strong winds. Running down off of the mountains, we were blasted for two days straight of gusting winds up to 50knots, making for sleepless nights and days on the boat yearning to go to shore but knowing we had to watch the boat (for fear she might drag anchor and end up on the rocks). The last day we were in the anchorage Eric stayed on the boat and I meandered a few trails to some mountain ridges and got a better look at where we were.

A hot, dry climate allowed for only cactus and small shrubs on the island once outside the town's irrigation system

We were treated to strong winds as we left Catalina in the evening that tossed Nanu around as we double-reefed the main sail. Although it was only at its worst as we headed around the island, it was enough to put me in a sorry seasick situation and Eric sailed through the night.

We arrived in San Diego yesterday (Sunday) to an exciting array of cruisers lined up at the San Diego's "Transient" Police docks. The air is filled with adventure as people busily run around for their visas, as well as do last minute repairs and preparation for their trip down the Baja.

As for us, we have a few small(er) projects to accomplish before we leave. We have two 55-watt solar panels that have to be mounted and wired for our fridge and other electronics. Our transmission is slipping and although doesn't require immediate work, it needs some TLC. And then it's small things, like visas, and a sail bag filled with so much laundry I have to grunt to lift it...! We'll be busy for awhile, but the weather's great and the company around here is phenomenol.