Leaving Monterey

We had a nice stay in, of all places, Oakland where we met up with people we have met on the way and new sailors going to Mexico for the winter. Celeste and I have decided to go easy on ourselves and take short trips rather than racing down, since our insurance company will not permit us to enter Mexico before November 15.Two nights ago we anchored in Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco. Last night we tied up in Monterey to do some work on the anchor. Tomorrow before dawn we are off to San Simeon, then San Luis Obisbo, then round Point Conception, which is the Cape Horn of North America according to the US Coast Pilot. The weather forecast is excellent so far. Point Conception is our big goal. Southern California begins there, with warmer temperatures and gentle weather conditions, which we deserve after the beating we have taken so far.

We plan to explore the many islands between Santa Babara and the Mexican border. Everywhere we go we reunite with other sailors who we have met in the various ports along the way. I thought we were going to turn into loners, but our social life has never been so active. We love the lifestyle and the people we have met.