Monterey Update

Yes, we are still in Monterey.  Tonight will be our last and 5th night here.  I could go on about how much we enjoyed Monterey, which we did tremendously, as the reason why we stayed so long, but in the end, it was the offshore weather that kept us here.

While weather in Monterey was quite comfortable, the offshore conditions were just a bit more than what we would prefer.  Winds were in the 30's to mid 30's, on the upper end of our go no go model, but more importantly, the swell and combined wind wave was in excess of 10' with a period of about 7 - 8 seconds.  In other words, very steep and short waves would make for a very uncomfortable passage and possibly even a bit on the dangerous side.  So here we are.

The bonus of staying as long as we did is that we were able to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor make a pass over Monterey Bay enroute to her final resting place in Los Angeles.  There was a large crowd on the pier to witness the event.  It was quite a site to see.  As she passed overhead at about 1,500 feet the crowd burst into applause.  Also, the Air Force Thunderbirds were practicing for the Salinas Air Show this weekend, so we were able to see the planes coming and going all day long.

We leave in the morning at 3:30 AM.  The early departure is timed to get us into San Simeon, where we plan to drop an anchor for the night, before it gets dark.  It is a 90 mile run and at 6 knots, that's about 15 hours.  Winds have dropped to about 15 knots and the combined seas are now about 7 feet at 9 or 10 seconds.  With sunset at just past 7 PM, we should be able to get in before it gets dark and drop the hook for the night.

From San Simeon, we will make a run for Santa Barbara.  That run will be about 125 miles and require a one night passage.  We will go around the infamous Point Conception sometime in the wee hours of the night.  It is at that point that the colder currents meet the warmer and milder currents from the south and can make that passage a bit nasty.  The forecast is for quite settled conditions, so we don't expect much.  The good news is that we should be into warmer conditions, which after the run north and the passage down the coast will be most welcome.

The Space Shuttle Endeavor passing over
Monterey Bay enroute to Los Angeles.

As the old saying goes, "Red sky at night sailors delight ...".
 We are leaving in the morning so this was certainly
a good omen.

Paul taking in a bit of Monterey history at one of
the many adobes scattered around town.

Typical Monterey adobe, just up from the marina.