Almost home

We pulled out of Sausalito on June 23rd hoping to continue quite a bit farther up the coast but soon encountered high, steep, confused waves around Point Reyes even though there were only light winds.

We persisted and passed the safe port of Bodega Bay, hoping things would improve, but they didn't. It was actually getting worse and knew that the point of land ahead would probably be even nastier. So we wisely relented and retreated back 25 NM to Bodega to wait for better conditions.

Once inside the channel and bay, it was so calm, making it hard to believe the difference. After topping up on fuel we took a space among a myriad of fishing boats at Spud Point Marina. This is a small, cute, and very friendly village with a couple of restaurants, one proudly claiming to have the best clam chowder and tasty buns with 1/4 pound of clam meat.

Clams this way...

Judging from the tidy condition of the fishing boat fleet, there was pride in their profession.

Bodega fishing fleet

We met Steve Peterson, a real character who co-authored the book Locked Up in La Mesa, and described his surreal experience in the Tijuana jail! Jordan read the book while there with me to follow suit.

We shared tales with another interesting dock resident, a self-described cowboy, artist, and sailor who had spent years sailing around the world and multiple trips in the South and North Pacific, most of it single-handed on his 50-foot ketch.

After 2 days, the forecast looked good so with fingers crossed, we set off again. Evidently the horseshoes were still in the bilge as we got flat no-wind seas.

A sure sign that we were closing in on the Pacific northwest was the presence of salmon and it wasn't long before we landed a nice one. Not sure who was more excited, us or Chanty!

We took advantage of Port Orford's quick and easy in-and-out harbour to top up on diesel. We were expecting to pull up to a regular fuel wharf, not a 10-metre sea wall. But it went quick. Thankfully there weren't any waves or surge that would have had our spreaders smacking the concrete above.

HIGH fuel dock!

After Port Orford, we thought we had a clear run all the way to Canada. But the forecast changed to strong winds so we ducked into the Port of Newport Marina at 19:00 with plans to leave the next day.

Bridge over the River Yaquina (at Marina)

Almost home...(maybe) only 4 days to go...

Anchorages:
N38°19.808' W123°03.392' Jun 24 Bodega Bay (Spud Point Marina)
N42°44.365' W124°29.900' Jun 28 Port Orford (fuel stop)
N44°37.442' W124°03.169' Jun 29 Port of Newport Marina