We travelled throughout the first day and then overnight with the boys taking turns on watch (frankly I think they were too excited to sleep anyhoooo…) and I was (gratefully!) awakened at 5:30 a.m. as we made our approach to Morro Bay. Upon learning the fuel dock opened (generally speaking) at 8:00 a.m., we scouted a restaurant serving sailor-size breakfasts and enjoyed a leisurely feast.
Morro Bay is first sighted by Morro Rock. It reminded me of the sleepy little fishing villages in New England 30 years ago. If I didn’t know better, I would never have guessed we were still in California.
Our departure at 9:00 a.m. was escorted by an amazing array of sea otters, sea lions and seals that jumped and played for the camera. If we had only known that the marine life in store for us two hours later and 6 miles offshore would be Humpback whales! Not just one, not just two. We were literally surrounded by a pod of at least a dozen Humpback whales! Imagine our surprise as we cut the engine to drift and watch when suddenly(!) ten feet away(!) two of the largest (nearly the size of our 46’ Lass) shot their noses out of the water in unison and together took a deep dive to shoot under our keel. Talk about synchronized swimming, and talk about being scared witless! Even “Captain Robert” with over 30 years of experience delivering yachts up and down the West Coast, told us in amazement that he had never experienced anything remotely like this and promptly threw on his own life vest. Needless to say, the rest of us did the same. And while we all stood mesmerized, Captain Bill had the good sense to re-engage the engine (slowly) and motor us gently outta there.
The fog came and went throughout the rest of the day and night. We had been warned that the toughest part of the journey would be passing through Point Conception (nicknamed “The Cape Horn of California”….need I say more?) and although we were expecting possible sea swells up to 10 feet with 6 to 8 foot waves on top in 25 knot winds, we scooted through with 6 foot swells in 15 to 20 knot winds. Whew! Suffice to say that my fearful anticipation of this one passage had been nearly enough to change my mind about the entire voyage. Although I had debated as to whether to book a flight to meet the boys in San Diego, I am happy I did not cave!
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