Guess Where I Am Now?!?
A week ago today I sailed Wahine Toa under the famous Golden Gate Bridge! To say my crew and I were excited would be quite the understatement. How thrilling it was to be entering into San Francisco, seeing the iconic bridge from below, and completing a 4 day sail safe and sound.
It took us exactly 4 days, to the hour! Susan, Angel & I left Newport, Or at 12 noon on Wednesday. After waiting out the unusual southerly winds in Newport we were finally met with winds out of the north that, along with the current, would push us along to our destination.
This new crew proved to be quite the team. Susan I had met on my first ocean crossing and is a seasoned crew member. Not only that, she's great in the galley! Susan was my first mate and proved to be absolutely priceless!
As for Angel, she & her husband have recently moved aboard their own sailboat but she is pretty new to this whole sailing thing. Although she was the novice on board she took to the helm like a champ! Where the 25 - 30 knots of wind we were running with might have most newbies running for cover Angel held her own.
The journey from Newport to San Fran had us rounding a notoriously daunting cape - Cape Mendocino. Luckily for us we had Angel's husband keeping an eye on the weather and waves off the cape so we knew to head out a little further to avoid too much action. We found it to be a pretty gentle rounding. If you can call 8-10' swells gentle. Fortunately the swell was out of the NNW so rolled under us from the stern, giving us a little fun surfing and an extra push.
Another stroke of luck was our timing! All the tacking out offshore then back to land so we could sail more than motor put us perfectly in position to ride the flood tide into San Francisco Bay. This is a crucial part so we aren't fighting the ebb tide and putting ourselves in the middle of rip tides and eddies. I couldn't have planned it better had I tried!
The ladies and I headed straight to the fuel dock in Sausalito where we were met by Kevin, Angel's husband, and their dog, Norman. Plenty of hugs, congratulations and puppy kisses gave us a sweet arrival.
After topping off the tanks, both water and diesel, we took the boat out into the bay and anchored just off the main strip of Sausalito. It seems that this place isn't too cruiser friendly. There are no guest docks to be found! And, with the numerous boats anchored out that look to be on their last leg I can understand just a bit. On top of that there's the whole COVID thing.
Since leaving Anacortes I've noticed a slight fuel leak. I've had a couple mechanics take a look and apply a fix however the leak seems to be elusive. I thought I'd try again. Angel and Kevin bought their boat here and had a mechanic in mind. They referred me to Mike. After speaking with Mike, telling him that I had yet to find a marina that would allow me in for a few days he suggested I call Sausalito Yacht Harbor and mention his name. I did, and it proved fruitful.
The owner of the marina met with me and offered my up a slip. Recognizing the day rate might be a little out of my budget he offered to give me a deal, which I happily accepted. I found out later that people will bring their boats into a slip with no intention of leaving anytime soon. For the marina owner to evict these boats requires legal proceedings. Now I really get the hesitation!
After being in harbor for three nights, the first the owner said he wouldn't charge me for since I was coming in so late in the day, and having the other Mike (mechanic) apply his skill to my engine, I took my leave. I didn't want to over extend my welcome or push the generosity already offered.
Once back out at anchor I brought my dingy to shore then stopped by the office to settle up. The owner simply smiled and said, "don't worry about it"! WOW! So generous!!!
The incidents of kindness haven't stopped there though. Sausalito has proven to be full of sweet people. I've gotten to borrow an electric bike to run errands on, have met a kick-ass female captain raising three kids solo on her boat, and have had great conversations with quite a few.
I plan on being here until the 21st of October. I've got two new crew coming onboard for the jaunt to San Diego. We will be making plenty of stops along the way such as Santa Cruz, Morro Bay, San Miguel Island, Ventura, Catalina & then San Diego.
Thank you all for your support!
Much love,
Cheryl