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Oct 10: Passage from Half-Moon Bay to Monterey
We were up before the sun for our long trip to Monterey. The forecasts again called for light winds and 3-4ft combined swell and wind waves, so we weren't looking forward to another day of motoring.
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Leaving Half-Moon Bay
Outer harbour breakwallThe sun came up an hour later, and we made our first wildlife sighting. Sean got a great closeup shot of the elusive Red-Breasted Sara Bird.
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Leaving Half-Moon Bay
What a cutie!Although the early-morning fog quickly burnt off, there wasn't any wind and the first part of the day was much like yesterday. The motor droning in the background, our wonderful sailboat powering through the waves, and all of us hoping for wind.
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California coastline
Will peeking out from the helmWe were surprised by a harem of seals. Yes, 'harem' is a legitimate collective noun for seals. Hopefully everyone can come away from this website a bit smarter, just a little bit more intelligent and knowledgable.
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Seals! In the distance!
Seals closerAnyway, where was I? Oh yes, the seals. They swarmed all around us, leaping and jumping from the water. It was very cool. They didn't hang around long, just enough to give us a quick look, then they would scatter. I theorize it was in fear of Sean's beard, which is making him look very much like a pirate.
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Will and Sean at the helm
Crazy acrobat sealOne seal was an escapee from Marine World. We saw him following us and doing crazy acrobatics, and we just had to turn the boat around to get closer. Try as we might, we could not hit him with the boat, and our recapture efforts were thwarted when he dove and disappeared.
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Will, Mike and Sara
Sailing at lastSometime around 3PM we finally got some wind. We killed the engine, raised the sails, and ripped along at more than 7 knots! Morale improved immediately, talk of mutiny decreased dramatically, and we finally felt like ocean sailors (rather than ocean motorers).
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Family of seals
King of the castleWe sailed all the way into Monterey, where we were amazed by the Sea Lions. Does anyone have ANY idea how they get up on a six-foot round bouy?
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Breakwater seals
Wanderlust in her slipWe parked Wanderlust in a slip at Breakwater Cove Marina. One of the harbourmasters was chasing the seals off the dock and was kind enough to direct us to our spot. The seals here are fat, lazy, and loud. They're probably protected, but after hearing them bark all evening, I started to wonder how a seal sandwich would taste.
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Disembarking
Intrepid sailorsWe formed a shore party and went off in search of steaks. We found a candy store along the way and bought a small barrel of taffy too. Back on the boat we grilled the steaks, poured some wine, and celebrated our first ever ocean sailing trip!
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Shore party
Back on the boat for dinner
Sean cooking
Sean kicking back