Friday, December 05, 2008 |
Author: Jacob
After going back and forth on a variety of last minute projects, and some spares we wanted to buy, we decided that enough was enough, it was time for us to leave. In fact, it really was our mental state that dictated when it was time to leave, as opposed to the boat, we were done even if the boat wasn't quite.
Leaving was very strange. We turned in the key to the marina, packed up the shore power cord, hose, dock lines and we were off. It seemed like we were going out for a daysail, as opposed to an open-ended cruise. Chips and Jeff from Fancy joined us near the Golden Gate and escorted us out underneath the Golden Gate. It was much appreciated, as it made us focus on something other than the fact that we were leaving!
We had a great sail from San Francisco, light winds, tweaking the windvane and finally getting it dialed in, steering Pisces better than either of us would have. We spent a good bit of time in silence, and a bit of time saying things like 'can you believe we are doing this?' or 'wow, that swell is really big.' Added a few things to the to-do list, and overall were very happy with how Pisces handled out in the ocean.
We are now anchored in Half Moon Bay, which is the perfect spot to start a trip, a big open protected anchorage, only one day from home. For anyone out there planning a cruise, we can't recommend enough the wisdom of 'leaving' your homeport and only heading to somewhere few hours away. If you are at all like us you will need another day or two to stow the results of your night before Costco trip (2 carts!), finish a project or two, and just get your head straight after the weeks of frantic preparation. We arrived here at 4, had the anchor down by 4:30, dinner, and then asleep by 8 for a solid twelve hours working on the deficit our preparation had created.
Today we stowed the aforementioned Costco goods, used some free wireless internet (courtesy of the Oceano hotel), and relaxed in the sun with our friend Sikander, who brought his crab nets and helped us catch a bucket of crabs that later become a great crab taco dinner.
Tomorrow it's off again, this time for an overnight trip down the Big Sur coast, with a stop at either San Simeon or Morro Bay depending on the time of our arrival.
Leaving was very strange. We turned in the key to the marina, packed up the shore power cord, hose, dock lines and we were off. It seemed like we were going out for a daysail, as opposed to an open-ended cruise. Chips and Jeff from Fancy joined us near the Golden Gate and escorted us out underneath the Golden Gate. It was much appreciated, as it made us focus on something other than the fact that we were leaving!
We had a great sail from San Francisco, light winds, tweaking the windvane and finally getting it dialed in, steering Pisces better than either of us would have. We spent a good bit of time in silence, and a bit of time saying things like 'can you believe we are doing this?' or 'wow, that swell is really big.' Added a few things to the to-do list, and overall were very happy with how Pisces handled out in the ocean.
We are now anchored in Half Moon Bay, which is the perfect spot to start a trip, a big open protected anchorage, only one day from home. For anyone out there planning a cruise, we can't recommend enough the wisdom of 'leaving' your homeport and only heading to somewhere few hours away. If you are at all like us you will need another day or two to stow the results of your night before Costco trip (2 carts!), finish a project or two, and just get your head straight after the weeks of frantic preparation. We arrived here at 4, had the anchor down by 4:30, dinner, and then asleep by 8 for a solid twelve hours working on the deficit our preparation had created.
Today we stowed the aforementioned Costco goods, used some free wireless internet (courtesy of the Oceano hotel), and relaxed in the sun with our friend Sikander, who brought his crab nets and helped us catch a bucket of crabs that later become a great crab taco dinner.
Tomorrow it's off again, this time for an overnight trip down the Big Sur coast, with a stop at either San Simeon or Morro Bay depending on the time of our arrival.
5 comments:
And they're off! How cold does it get at night on the open water?
congrats team! watch out for giant squid!
Have a good trip! (written from your ex-laptop)
Nice work guys. It was great seeing you off. Hopefully the hardest part, leaving, is behind you. Onward!
As usual you have your heads on straight, good advice on the short trip, get organized and regroup. It was great sailing out the Gate and watching you sail off to fulfill your dreams.Many dream, many plan, but few depart.Congratulations!!