3000 Steps

Well, yesterday I decided to get a bird's eye view of this lovely village by the sea. So...I hiked up some 3000 stairs into the hills to overlook the town. Wow. It was hot. I don't know how many steps are on the Grouse Grind (someone please post a comment, if you know), but it felt to me like a one hour lung-buster...just like the Grind. Luckily, thanks to my MOMAR-honed navigation skills, I only got lost twice. Of course, I took more photos...but you'll just have to keep checking back to see when I can upload them!

New Photos

I've finally gone back and updated some of the older blog posts with photos that we've taken along the way. I've also added a few new blog entries, and inserted them so that this thing doesn't start to read like a Tarantino movie. Enjoy.

I'm finding my way around town - the library was a great discovery. I'm awaiting the real sightseeing until my parents arrive in a couple days. And my sister and Strahan will be here in a couple weeks, so lots of time for sightseeing. And this weekend is the Sausilito Art Festival - aparantly one of the greatest events in the land! For now...I'm working on the boat, small chores, and ordering the various parts that we need.

Found the Library

This is good progress....there is regular internet in my future....and without losing all my money to those folks at kinkos.... Stay tuned for more updates and photos!

Solar Panels and Spandex

Last night we went for a walk around Sausilito in search of ice cream. It has been a huge heat wave down here, and we've been struggling to stay cool. We've mandated daily siesta's about Renova, and one is required to rest in the heat of the day...often accompanied by a cool drink. The best part is...we can make ice!! Our solar panels are putting so many amps into our batteries that our fridge is working way better than expected, and we're able to keep all our gadgets charged up.

We found the main Sausilito strip to be lined with upscale boutiques and cafes. Super funky. Lots of floathomes and marinas line the waterfront, and tourists on rented bicycles are everywhere...as are roadies in spandex! The Benson clan would be drooling at all the fancy bikes here for sure.

Luckily, we found gelato, and made our way 'home' to watch 'the bank job' from the comfort of our cosy cabin.

Sausilito - San Francisco

We're finally settled in Sausilito...on the north shore of the Golden Gate Bridge on San Francisco Bay. We'll be at the Clipper Yacht Harbour for the next month. I'll stay here while John goes back for a two week shift at work. We're close to all major services, a West Marine, banks, grocery store, and the ferry to San Fran is a short walk away.

Unfortunately, we don't have internet on the boat, but there is a kinkos just up the street, so we'll be able to keep in touch. We're off to explore.

The Golden Gate Bridge!

We left Bodega Bay early and set a course for the Golden Gate Bridge. Passing beneath the bridge was unbelievable! Once inside the Bay, there were lots of sailboats, enjoying the breeze. Rumour has it that most of the cruising boats tend to stay around Sausilito, so we investigated the local yacht clubs in an effort to find a reciprocal slip for the night. (Because we're members of Campbell River Yacht Club, most yacht clubs will offer one night at no or low cost to visiting yacht club members). We found a well-priced slip at the fancy Corinthian Yacht Club. And we celebrated completing the first leg our our journey by a night out at a fabulous Mexican restaurant - Guyamas.

Bodega Bay

We left Newport on Sunday with several other boats, and had excellent winds pushing us down the coast. On Monday, the winds increased and we sailed in strong north-westerly winds, and fairly big swell and chop. Of course, the boat did well, and we made good time, but we had a hard time sleeping with the confused waves. On Tuesday...the wind died and we motored for the next 24 hours in a flat calm. After three nights at sea, we decided to take a break and investigate some new noises coming from our steering pedestal. We stopped in to Bodega Bay for a well-deserved rest, and to disassemble our steering system. We found a few worn pins that we'll be able to replace in San Fran. This was a great spot that we would have liked to explore more – a small community of about 900 people, but we were pretty anxious to keep moving and get settled in San Francisco.

Leaving Bodega Bay in the fog:

Curious Whale

Today was a no-wind day. We motored for over 24 hours. Around mid-day, I saw a group of humpback whales. They seemed to be coming in our direction, so I turned off the motor, so they could pass in front of us, undisturbed. They cruised by without incident. There were some adults, and a couple of young ones. But one whale took an interest in the boat. He/she came right up to the boat and surfaced beside us, dove under us, blew at us, and generally scoped us out. Luckily, he/she didn't take offense to our lack of a daily shower.

Still in Newport

We're here with about 10 other sailboats, awaiting a shift in the winds to push us towards San Francisco. We're all hoping that tomorrow is the magic day!! But in the meantime, we're enjoying exploring Newport...there is a lively waterfront district here, beautiful sandy beaches, and a farmers market! We've also been chatting with the other cruisers...mostly about weather, but also comparing notes on San Fran and Mexico.

We even walked out to the point to see the historic Yaquina Lighthouse, and walked back across the bridge to the marina.

And...oddly enough, we bumped into a couple whose blog I've been following: SV Zephyr. They managed to run aground on the entrance into the marina this morning...which is very easy to do. We've seen a couple boats do this. There is a negative tide here at times. Crazy.

We've also met other cruisers here:

George and Celeste on SV Nereid

Peter and Josh on SV Delphis (I think)

Yvonne and Bruno on MoMo

Newport Oregon

We've managed another overnight passage into Newport ,Oregon. Once again the wind was on our nose, and we were forced to motor most of the way. We did enjoy some sailing, but had to tack way off course, and back in again. In the end we decided to come into port, and await a better wind forecast.

Saw humpback whales and a moonfish...John thinks...maybe it is a sun fish.

But the best part of this journey was John "chumming" over the side!!! he thinks he has the flu!! :) Sorry, no pictures.