Sal Darago was launched at Napa Valley Marina on Monday 4th
December, after 12 days of hard labour in the workyard. All the staff were
friendly and helpful, the chandlery is well stocked with marine hardware and
groceries and you can liveaboard and work on your own boat (unusual in
California).
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| Jeremy antifouling |
Two days after launching, we woke to find ice on the decks
and frost on the pontoons. Sometimes it was so cold at night we slept under two
duvets with a hot water bottle each, wearing hats and thermal socks. In the
daytime it was warm and sunny and shorts could sometimes be worn.
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| Heading for the slipway |
We met Seth, Sophie and Casey on their yacht, Liberty. Seth
was very helpful to us in the summer and continued to be so with his invaluable
information about anchorages in the Sea of Cortez, which is our destination in
Mexico. Thank you Seth and co.
The maiden voyage went well, motoring down the Napa River
and into San Pablo Bay. As darkness fell we anchored in a strong, tidal current
off China Camp, where the wind increased to 17 knots, giving us a bumpy first
night on anchor.
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| Almost afloat |
Jeremy had contacted Anthony, the Harbourmaster at Clipper
Cove, Treasure Island before we left the UK. Last time we anchored. This time
we had a berth in the marina and made use of the excellent toilet and shower
facilities in the nearby ex-Naval Administration building.
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| It's a long way up to the prison |
The next day we went under the Bay Bridge twice and crossed
San Francisco Bay to Aquatic Park, where we anchored for two nights with
permission from the relevant authorities. Simon and Erin arrived by train and
taxi in the evening. Jeremy picked them up from the beach in the dinghy, where
a rare wave swept over them, giving them a damp start to the weekend.
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| Next batch for the cells |
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| Who stole the bed? |
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| This is how they escaped |
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| The Rock |
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| Simon, Erin and Jeremy on Alcatraz |
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| Arriving on Alcatraz |
On Saturday 9th December, all four of us went to
Alcatraz. We had a great day, spending as much time as we wanted on the former
prison island, tasting clam chowder served in sour dough bowls on Pier 39,
drinking beers in Red Jack’s Saloon and spending quarters in the antique slot
machines at Musee Mechanique.
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| Not quite drunk and disorderly |
Back at the beach in Aquatic Park, someone had left two
bottles of beer, a lifejacket and a metal nut in the dinghy. We left them on
the beach. Later, Jeremy found a message on his phone from Joe Butler saying he
had left the gifts. Joe is the telephone contact for the rowing and swimming
club, who told us where we should leave our dinghy and how to exit Hyde Pier
when the Maritme Museum was closed. The next morning the beers and lifejacket
had gone. Jeremy and Simon found the nut, which came from Alcatraz. Thank you
for the souvenir, Joe, and the advice. Sorry we left the beers.
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| Fun in Musee Mechanique |
Sunday morning was relaxed and sunny after a cold night. We
motored down to Redwood City Marina with Simon and Erin doing most of the
steering and Jeremy providing bacon and egg butties. Once safely tied up and
fees paid for three nights, we left in their car for Paulo Alto. We parked the car
in the basement of the offices where Simon works. From there we walked to the
world famous Stanford University campus and then to McArthur Park Restaurant
where Simon and Erin treated us to a delicious dinner.
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| Yummy meal out |
We slept at their apartment in Sunnyvale on Sunday and
Monday, returning to SD on Tuesday with clean clothes and loads of shopping.
Simon joined us for dinner while Erin went to a works’ “do”.
After returning to Clipper Cove, Treasure Island for another
night we left San Francisco Bay on Thursday 14th December,
motorsailing along the waterfront and under the Golden Gate Bridge. Wow!
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| Approaching the Golden Gate Bridge |
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| Quick turnaround for a better view |
Several hours later, we anchored in well-protected Half Moon
Bay and watched the sunset from our cockpit. From there it was a 48 mile motor
in a big, long swell, but little wind, to Santa Cruz. Here we are spending two nights
in the Small Craft Harbour sheltering from gale force winds. It’s only a 45 minute
drive from Sunnyvale. Simon and Erin have
come down to go surfing and tonight we’re all going out for dinner at Johnny’s.
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| Half Moon Bay |
