Leg 6: Santa Cruz Island (Forney Cove) to Santa Barbara Island

After enjoying the weather and hiking around Santa Cruz Island yesterday, the crew (Lawrence & Gloria) slept on Bluewater anchored overnight in Forney Cove and prepared for an EARLY departure.

Monday November 15, 2021

Departure from Forney Cove, Santa Cruz Island enroute to Santa Barbara Island

Leg 6

Bluewater is underway again. 

Monday November 15, 2021

Departure from:  Forney Cove, Santa Cruz Island

0300 am PST departure 

2 souls aboard:

Lawrence Kerver

Gloria Vilchez

Destination:  Santa Barbara Island

Estimated Distance:  62nm

Estimated Duration:  12 hours

Weather:  Calm clear gorgeous conditions

Channel Islands:
San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, San Nicolas, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, San Clemente

Santa Cruz Island is the largest (97 sq mi)
Santa Barbara Island is the smallest (approx 1 sq mi)

Bluewater departed Forney Cove Santa Cruz Island early (3am Pacific Standard Time) enroute to Santa Barbara Island.

Lawrence texted at 7:29am PST when he finally got service:

Departed Forney 0300.  = 62nm to Santa Barbara Island. Many shooting stars.   Very dark night.  ETA 1500@ Watched the moon set and the sun rise a few hours later.   Very calm.   Wait until you see how  many cargo ships are anchored in between us and Santa Barbara Island.   😳 

I texted:  Stay safe!!!

Will do.  A little wind is building.  We’ll be weaving through the container ships.  I’ll send pics if we catch a cell signal ✌️

Capture of Lawrence's navigation screen showing all the cargo ships anchored off the coast
Bluewater's route is indicated by the dashed line; the blue square is his destination (Santa Barbara Island)

Lo's sister Jean's holiday shopping joke about the waiting cargo ships!
Lawrence enjoyed the joke after he was safe and sound at his destination

6:33am Lawrence on Bluewater at sunrise

Along with the departure information, Lawrence also texted me this cool movie of Orcas (Killer Whales!!!) frolicking along their route. Video taken around 8am and the skies are mostly clear.

In the meantime, Paul Barrish sent this partial lunar eclipse link and info to Lawrence and Gloria:  

Partial Lunar Eclipse

West Coat Viewing Thursday (11/18) night to early Friday (11/19) morning
Maximum viewing at 1am

At 12:21pm PST, Lawrence texted that he is in THICK FOG:

Even George’s Christmas soup is not near as thick as this….  Can’t see anything! Pea soup. Never been in thicker fog

Comment from Lawrence's brother George:

Thanks so much for all of the updates.  HUGE pot of pea soup on the stove at this time.  So much happening around and to you all…………seems impossible to catch up even to comment effectively!  Best of luck, enjoy every minute……tell us about it………and keep on truckin’!

Geo

Just after noon, Bluewater is mired in THICK FOG

At 12:38pm PST, this text message arrived:

We're full sail going 6.2.  I’m tempted to run straight to Catalina but we’ll arrive in the fog and the dark.   We’ll stop into Santa Barbara and see how it looks.  Another 35 miles or so.  We’ll be to Santa Barbara in less than 2 hours 

Bluewater and crew checked in Safe & Sound anchored off Santa Barbara Island!!!

At 4:08pm PST, Lawrence texted his arrival:

Arrived. Anchored in 28’ near the ‘landing’ on Santa Barbara Island. Fog is incredible. Single hander on Kaylee anchored off our stern.

Destination Made:  Santa Barbara Island (approx 1 square mile)
Lawrence/Gloria are anchored in Landing Cove

Tuesday November 16, 2021

Peruvian soup!

Time stamp:  11/16/2021 10:48am
Lawrence on Bluewater's bow
That must be Santa Barbara Island

Today Lawrence said THANKS to all for the well wishes and comments and THANKS to Paul for the upcoming partial lunar eclipse info! He mentioned that Gloria made a huge pot of soup similar to goulash. I must say it looks divine! Shortly thereafter, Gloria texted photos!

Gloria's Peruvian Soup/Stew for the foggy and chilly weather!
Around Noon

mmmmmm...
Looks scrumptious

Gloria and Connect 4! I couldn't remember the rules so I looked it up:

It’s the classic game you love to play with your friends and family. Can you connect four of your colored disks by dropping them into the holder before your opponent does?