We have had a few adventures since I last posted, mostly involving beautiful encounters with mammals. A

After visiting the San Juan Islands we set off down the west coast. We went straight from Port Townsend to Crescent City where we stayed for a few days so we could meet up with our good friends Bud and Penny. They were working as camp hosts in Oregon and were able to drive down and visit on their day off.

The  next big jump was from Crescent City to San Francisco. We were able to stay in our old slip and see our old slip neighbors Bev and Rob.  Bev kindly dragged us around to get shopping down so we were all provisioned up. Will miss those friends, hope we manage to meet up again some time but are keeping in contact via messaging.

We decided to harbor hop on the way down the coast, 1st stop Santa Cruz and then the next day Monterey. As we left Monterey we had the great fun of seeing a huge group of dolphins, more than 20 at  time. A lot of them came and played at the bow of the boat for a long time while others just came by to check us out  It was some much fun, it was like someone had sent out  signal “calling all dolphins” as you could see groups of dolphins coming to the boat from all directions. While they are approaching they jump out of the water I suppose so they can check which direction they are going, an unbelievable site.

From Monterey we went to San Simeon, where  the Hearst Castle is located. Getting a shore there is difficult with breaking waves and we had visited before so decided to let that go this time. In the morning we headed for San Luis. A very still day with glassy seas. All of a sudden Hartley noted a change in the appearance of the water ahead and immediately slowed the boat down. It was a sleeping whale. It was laying mostly just below the water with just its bow hole coming up everyone once in  a while to breath. We were really close. I don’t think he woke up, thank goodness , just slowly glided off to the side and then behind the boat. I assure you whales are vey big and I am very glad we did not hit it.

From San Luis we headed out to San Miguel, one of the Channel Islands. Off Point Arguello we met a whale who I think thought we needed some entertainment. He was about a quarter mile a way and started to jump straight out of the water.  Usually you never get a picture of this as your camera isn’t ready . This whale must be very human knowledgeable as he did it at least five times so we could get a good picture.

We spent a night in Cuyler’s Harbor on San Miguel and then the next night on Santa Cruz island at Prisoner’s Harbor.  The islands are beautiful and quiet. We then let that serenity to go to Santa Barbara, a bustling little  harbor with lots of boats and lots of tourists. Here we will start our first boat rally. Fifty boats will be in the So Cal Ta Ta . This will start with a party on 9/13 and leave on 9/14. Should be fun to be in the company of so many sailors.