a Rockin' and a Rollin'

Pfieffer Cove Anchorage

Peggy's Post:  I am loving being still!  And being in the sun!  The day we left the marina in Monterey was clear and the seas were pretty flat ... but within 30 minutes the fog rolled in so thick we couldn't see past the next wave.  And as we rounded the point near Carmel the swells built to 6-8 feet from the starboard stern quarter (the right back corner of the boat) so the motion of the boat was rocking forward and backward plus from side to side.  A pretty good corkscrew motion.  NOT FUN!  We were relieved to get to our anchorage at Pfeiffer Cove later that day, but had to put up with rolling at anchor for 2 days while we waited for the swells to die down.  On the bright side we enjoyed lots of sea gulls, coots, egrets and herons who were feasting on little goodies in the kelp bed nearby and a view of a couple of houses precariously hanging off the cliffs above us.

Right now I am sitting in the Relief Society room in the Morro Bay Ward building waiting for the Sunday morning session of General Conference session to start.  I really enjoyed the Saturday sessions and was especially struck by Elder Wong's talk (in Cantonese!) about Christ healing the man with palsy - he asked if we knew anyone who is spiritually paralyzed and that we must work together to bring them to Christ to be healed.  Another speaker who touched my heart was Elder Klebingat who challenged us to not listen in our minds to Satan's voice, and gave practical suggestions to increase our spiritual confidence. (No, I am not able to remember what each speaker talked about - I had to take notes!)

California Coast

As I think about the fog we were in a few days ago and the disorientation it caused, I am so thankful that we had a compass so we could continue in the right direction and not unknowingly be driven onto the rocky coast.  I was also so thankful for our radar that identified fishing boats around us that we couldn't see.  In a gospel perspective it reinforces my gratitude for living Prophets and scriptures to keep us on the right course, and for the guidance of the Holy Ghost to warn us of dangers in the world we can't see with our limited mortal vision.  And how I loved it when the sun came out! It reminds me of how much I appreciate our Savior, the Light of the World, who warms us with hope and healing and comfort.

Fishing in Pfeiffer Cove

Jay's Post:  Sailing a boat is amazing when the wind, waves and boat are all aligned and all three come into perfect harmony.  It is at that moment that "Little Lara" begins to vibrate oh so slightly, almost imperceptibly.  In sailing terms this is called "sailing in the groove".  The hull slices through the water,  the sails are full and drawing,  and there is a gentle rolling motion to the boat. If you are sailing upwind when this happens,"Little Lara" will almost sail herself.  The water rushes by gurgling and the rigging begins to "sing".  If, you are sailing down wind, the hull rises and falls as the swells rush by and the sails gently collapse when the wind is knocked out of them. Under these conditions the waves hiss as they pass under the boat.  It is amazing to watch and witness.

San Simeon Anchorage

Crash, rattle, bang!  These are the sounds you hear when you are at anchorage and there is a swell running.  Under these conditions "Little Lara" will pitch and roll.  At times you may almost be thrown out of your bunk as you try to sleep.  We were so tired when we anchored in Pfeiffer Cove, that regardless of the noise and motion we slept -- reasonably well -- kind of.  From Pfeiffer Cove we motored six hours to San Simeon Bay where we had hoped for a quieter anchorage.  San Simeon Bay sits right under Hearst's Castle.  The anchorage is beautiful with a pier to the east, a State park to the north and small cliffs topped with trees to the west.  Though this anchorage was calmer than Pfeiffer Cove, when the tide changed, it would send a surge through the anchorage that would again send things flying around the cabin until "Little Lara"  realigned herself and settle down once again.  As Peggy says, Not Fun!

Imagine our surprise while we were anchored in San Simeon Bay when in sails "Evening Tide", a Dana 24 No. 318 (sister ship to "Little Lara").  Ken sailed over and introduced himself explaining he was from Morro Bay.  Later we met him in Morro Bay where we enjoyed getting to know him better.  He says "Little Lara" is the first Dana 24 he has ever seen on the water.  So imagine his excitement when we shared an anchorage together.

Morro Rock at Morro Bay, CA

Presently, we are in Morro Bay meeting wonderful people, watching General Conference and enjoying the town.  This is kind of a touristy place with many restaurants, souvenir shops and art galleries located along the water front.  We plan on leaving for points south on Monday, but until then we hope you enjoy "Cutterfish in your Eye":