Bluewater Coastal Cruising: July 2015

Wednesday July 29, 2015

Continuing the journey, our crew (Lawrence/Andrew/Liz/Kathryn/Steve/Emory) was up early to wet, foggy, calm, overcast conditions in Forney's Cove, Santa Cruz Island. We viewed an amazing sea bird collection - you can catch a glimpse here: Birds galore! The 1 other (fishing) boat in Forney's Cove departed before us. We pulled 2 bow anchors and departed from Forney's Cove just after 8am. Then we put up the screecher in light downwind conditions but motor-sailed for lack of wind. We saw dolphins galore and flying fish. Steve grilled cheeseburgers for all. We could not see land in any direction enroute to Catalina Island: No Land! Late in the afternoon, we enjoyed a pleasant quiet slow downwind run when the wind finally blew enough to shut down the engines. The sunset was fantastic! We had wontons/rice/peas for dinner during our Sunset Cruise. The long crossing was approx 85nm and took us 16 hours. We arrived at 4th of July Cove (just outside of Two Harbors), Catalina Island at midnight where we picked up a mooring ball.

Kathryn in the galley on starboard

Emory in the port cabin

Emory and Andrew discussing the downwind screecher sail

Kathryn lounging on the bow

Emory cooking up bacon

Departing Santa Cruz Island

Feet! Kathryn, Liz, Lawrence Lounging on the bow

Kathryn in the starboard pulpit

Lawrence waiting for wind

We had a LONG time to hang out so we did

Emory enjoying the light breeze on the bow

Kathryn getting comfortable on the bow

Skipper Lawrence is happiest with wind in his sails

Mainsail and Screecher

The sun is starting to set and we are about 2/3 of the way to our destination

Chef Emory about to enjoy his meal

Snap peas, pot stickers and rice

Dinner time at sunset

The sun setting on the ocean

There goes the sun!

Now we are sailing by the light of the moon

Bluewater's route from Forney's Cove, Santa Cruz Island to 4th of July Cove, Catalina Island

Route: Forney's Cove, Santa Cruz Island to 4th of July Cove, Catalina Island
Crew: Lawrence/Andrew/Liz/Kathryn/Steve/Emory
Departure Time: Just after 8am, Wednesday 7/29/2015
Distance: Approx 85nm
Arrival time: Just before midnight, Wednesday 7/29/2015
Time enroute: About 16 hours

Thursday July 30, 2015

We were up early and left a message for the harbor patrol notifying them of our location and intentions. After a few hours, we radio'd again and they said they'd "be right out." Apparently, if you're in the know you know that that means they'll head out to the fairway to meet any incoming boaters. So eventually we unmoored, headed to the fairway, hovered and maintained our cool while the harbor master stated that he "could not read our mental telepathy." Suffice it to say that they have a system, you're expected to know it, and they make no attempt to relay information conveniently. In fact, they seemingly have one of the best jobs on the planet but they sure don't act like it. Regardless, we successfully jumped through hoops (we were instructed to quickly write down phone numbers and reservation numbers and input credit card numbers by phone) and made a reservation for another mooring ball and the whole exchange gave us endless fodder of comedic value. Beware of a harbormaster that disdainfully claims you have a line wrapped in your motor. Don't worry, it was just our engine lift lines but we did a double take nonetheless. Thank goodness we were on vacation and had mellow running through our veins. Subsequently, we learned that the boating community at large shares many of our same frustrations with the staff and their "system." Nuff said. Crazy place that Catalina.

Soon we were set! We successfully moored to our assigned mooring ball K10, called Mark regarding our damaged starboard fairlead, waited for Amanda to call, dinghy'd to shore, laughed at Lawrence's crazy stories - he has an endless supply, separated from Andrew who hiked alone and eventually did the hike to beat all hikes. Four of us followed Emory up a trail that was not established (the Duncan's are starting to get a reputation for trailblazing). The views were spectacular with fog rolling in. We were happy to find a more established trail for our descent but in the end we weren't convinced it was any easier! The rock scree was difficult to descend in boat shoes! Upon returning to Bluewater, Emory made a deal with the boat next door: a few beers for 6 perfect fillets of fresh Yellowtail. Mmmmmm....great deal! Yellowtail/couscous/salad for dinner. Political discussions, Face-timed with Mark and Amanda who were hanging out at the climbing gym.

Santa Catalina Island: We are near Two Harbors, upper left
Catalina (Cat) Harbor is on the Pacific-facing side; Isthmus Cove is on the Mainland-facing side

Just after 6am, the view of 4th of July Cove, Catalina Island
from a mooring ball in 4th of July Cove

Another 6am photo looking toward Bird Rock
outside of Isthmus Cove, Catalina Island

Good Morning Sunshine! Steve is up and at'em.

This is the Two Harbors Visitor Services Area

Bluewater is on mooring ball K10, Isthmus Cove
Catalina Island, Two Harbors
The water is crystal clear

Kathryn is swinging, Lawrence and Emory are contemplating our hike up the ridge on the left

Lawrence, Kathryn, Steve, Liz before our hike

Emory trailblazing

Cat Harbor where Liz/Mark met in 1988

Steve/Kathryn/Lawrence/Emory
It sure looks like a trail but it didn't act like one!

Here we are at the top! Liz, Emory, Lawrence, Kathryn, Steve

Lawrence is on the Cat Harbor side; Emory, Kathryn, Steve, Liz appear to be on the Isthmus Cove side

We hiked up on the ridge above and to the right of Pin Rock
Bluewater was in Isthmus Cove (and Fourth of July Cove the previous night)
The Two Harbors are: Cat Harbor and Isthmus Cove

The descent was sketchy with loose rock scree

The fog was cool! The cliffs were steep

Emory (blue), Kathryn (orange) and Lawrence (white) are visible descending in this photo.
There was a hidden guest book in a hole inside a rusty can at the top of the ridge. I think Steve signed it for us.

Kathryn above Cat Harbor

Steve, Emory, Kathryn are descending along a trail
with a dilapidated barbed wire fence

Kathryn and Steve are descending toward Cat Harbor. We are getting lower!

Panoramic view of Cat Harbor from our trail. You can see Kathryn in orange and Steve in blue

Friday July 31, 2015

Up around 8am. Facetimed with Mark & Amanda again. Dinghy'd to the dinghy dock in Isthmus Cove. Steve dropped off Liz/Andrew/Lawrence for more supplies. Andrew bought burritos to share - Thanks! After breakfast, we departed from Isthmus Cove with the intent to return to the same mooring ball (but didn't). Luckily, we motored northwest along Catalina Island until we found an interesting spot in Emerald Bay. We enjoyed the location so much and were happy to switch our reservation. We grilled burgers and lounged. Tonight is our last night. The snorkeling is outrageous. Lawrence dinghy'd Steve/Emory/Kathryn/Andrew to Indian rocks for snorkeling. Liz hiked solo to camp Emerald Bay Boy Scout Camp. After our return, Liz/Kathryn hiked the ridge. We had salmon/salad/beets/rice for dinner (Yum!).

Kathryn and Steve approaching the dinghy dock at Isthmus Cove

Well, You'll have to visualize our route from one mooring field to the next on Catalina Island. It was a short journey.

Route: Two Harbors, Isthmus Cove to Emerald Bay
Crew: Lawrence/Andrew/Liz/Kathryn/Steve/Emory
Departure Time: About 10:45am
Distance: Approx 2-1/2 nm
Time enroute: About 30 minutes

Grilling burgers in Emerald Bay. From left: Emory, Andrew, Lawrence, Kathryn, Steve

Skipper Lawrence dinghying people around

Diver Lawrence prepping for adventure

Lawrence and Kathryn in Emerald Bay

What can you see, Lawrence?

Lotsa Fish!

What do you see, Kathryn?

More fish and sea plants!

Kathryn and Steve

Kathryn and Lawrence

Emory, Steve and Kathryn in Emerald Bay, Catalina Island

The underwater view of Emory, Steve and Kathryn

Bluewater in blue water with Indian Rocks ahead and to the left
Emerald Bay, Catalina Island

Kathryn can't resist some late afternoon fishing

Emory was highly successful spearfishing.
Here he is with a sheephead.

Kathryn is cracking up

Bluewater (lower right) in Emerald Bay, Catalina Island
Indian rocks are in view
Killer snorkeling everywhere

Kathryn on a hike above Bluewater
in Emerald Bay, Catalina Island

The sun is setting over Emerald Bay, Catalina Island

Liz on the same hike above Emerald Bay

Liz and Kathryn, post-hike -- Emerald Bay, Catalina Island

Saturday August 1, 2015

Up at 6:30am. TODAY IS THE DAY I GET MY FAMILY BACK!!!! Morning snorkel sighting summary: abalone, sea urchins, octopus, torpedo fish, northern pacific anchovies and sardines, garibaldi, small purple/orange fish, thorn back, sting ray, spiny lobsters, giant kelp. Departed Emerald Bay at 10:42 am. Sunny skies. View the video here for more screeching!. Saw Mark in the harbor. Our dock assignment was delayed. Exciting to finally see Mark and Amanda after a week apart!!!! Kathryn/Steve/Emory/Lawrence/Andrew all went to Joe's Crab Shack while Liz/Mark/Amanda stayed on Bluewater to catch up and cleanup. All 8 of us walked to Hermosa Beach strand and Pier Street. Liz and Amanda especially were mesmerized by the life guard contest while other's enjoyed Hennesey's outdoor patio. Oh boy did we have issues/trouble with the Marina Keys. What a crazy frustrating magnetic key system!!!! We did master those keys eventually, but not without a dozen explanations from different key holders and many close calls with pinched fingers and bent keys.

Steve and Kathryn in the morn

Blue banded Goby and a Garibaldi
Photo by Lawrence

Garibaldi Interview
Photo by Lawrence

Garibaldi and a Wrasse
Photo by Lawrence

Skipper Lawrence, Andrew, and Emory cooking breakfast underway -
Departing Emerald Bay, Catalina Island

Kathryn on duty

Lawrence and Kathryn on the bow

Steve looking skeptical

Liz looking lonely

Emory lookin' good

Skipper Lawrence on lookout
Steve, Kathryn, Emory on the bow

Here we are pulling into King Harbor, Redondo Beach
Photo by Mark who flew from SFO to LAX with Amanda to meet us.
Liz is crazy to meet up with Mark and Amanda!!!!!

Here is Bluewater's route from Emerald Bay, Catalina Island to King Harbor, Redondo Beach
This is the last portion of our week. What a week!

Route: Emerald Bay, Catalina Island to King Harbor Redondo Beach
Crew: Lawrence/Andrew/Liz/Kathryn/Steve/Emory
Departure Time: 10:42am, Saturday 8/1/2015
Distance: Approx 25nm
Arrival time: Around 3pm, Saturday 8/1/2015
Time enroute: About 4 hours

Here is our complete route for Bluewater's Legs 9 & 10
1 week, approx 170 nm

Yay!!!! My little girl! I might not stop hugging her for a LONG time!!!
Kathryn, Emory, Steve are at the ready to help Mark carry bags.

Amanda, Kathryn, Mark, Steve back on Bluewater

Amanda with a sunset view
King Harbor, Redondo Beach

Lawrence and Kathryn with a sunset view
King Harbor, Redondo Beach

Hermosa Beach Lifeguard Competition

Steve, Kathryn, Emory with Andrew and Lawrence at Hennesey's, Hermosa Beach, CA

Saturday August 1, 2015

Lots of packing was done in the morning before breakfast at Tammie's corner cafe. Mark went to the local West Marine and Hardware stores. Lawrence/Kathryn/Steve/Emory arranged an Uber ride to LAX airport. Liz/Mark/Amanda went to seaside Lagoon water park for early afternoon water fun on a hot day. Andrew departed at 2:45pm. Bluewater Cafe for Liz/Mark/Amanda followed by movie night. SOOOOO happy to have my family back!!!!