They're Doing Whaaat?

Winter in Idaho or in Mexico?
Which will it be?

Yes, it is true! Peggy and I have decided to escape the cold winter days of Idaho and sail "Little Lara" south, down the California coast and on to Mexico.  Our plans are to once again sail the warm, crystal clear, aquamarine waters of the Sea of Cortez. If you have followed our blog posts in the past, you know that we made this trip in 2014.  We intend to revisit many of our old favorite anchorages and to discover new ones.  

"Little Lara" Tugging at her Dock Lines

Its All Spit and Shine on "Little Lara"

We have spent several months preparing "Little Lara" for the adventure.  This includes renovating the bowsprit, rebuilding the exhaust system, refinishing the cabin sole, waxing the hull, and varnishing the teak. It seems like we are always varnishing the teak! Recently, we bent (a nautical term for "attaching") on the sails for the first time in two years and provisioned the boat with food. "Little Lara" is straining at her dock lines -- she is ready to go -- we are ready to go. 

Sailing Across  Grizzly Bay

 Our plans are for Jay to leave the Suisun City Marina October 9, 2019 and take Little Lara down Suisun Slough, out into Grizzly Bay, past the US Navy's "Ghost Fleet", through Carquinez Straight and into Richmond, California -- a 42 nautical mile trip by water.  There Little Lara will be hauled out, the bottom cleaned, zincs replaced, and rigging checked.  From Richmond, he will sail the boat through Raccoon Strait, past Angel Island, to anchor for the night near Sausalito, California in  Richardson Bay.  This will place Jay in a perfect position to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge and out to sea on October 10th.  From there he will do some offshore single-handed sailing (a nautical term for "sailing solo").

US Navy "Ghost Fleet"

"Little Lara" Sailing Under the Golden Gate Bridge
Before Making the Big Left Turn South

Where will he sail to? -- Half Moon Bay, Monterrey, Morrow Bay. The goal is to make it to the Channel Islands to explore San Miguel and Santa Rosa before meeting Peggy later in October in Santa Barbara.  Then we will be Mexico bound, wherever the wind blows! We are certain it will be another adventure of a lifetime.  Hopefully, you will be along for the ride.

Second Star to the Right
and Straight on Till Morning