Keep Moving!



Calm Seas - now that's more like it!

After spending two nights at Bodega Bay, “Pacifico” seemed to be in a better mood and offered up calm seas for our early 6am departure.  We were greeted with light winds that continued through the day, including our traverse around Point Arena.  In order to take advantage of the good weather window, we continued motoring through the night. 









Arena Lighthouse

As we neared Cape Mendocino at 10:30 that evening, the seas became choppy.  This notorious cape is actually made up of several capes or points:  Cape Vizcaino, Point Delgada, Punta Gorda, Cape Mendocino, and False Cape - it took us about three hours to get around this large land mass jetting out towards the sea.  Strong wind and current, known as the “cape effect,” often create rough conditions for mariners.  Fortunately, we encountered only 22 knot winds and moderate chop, not considered extreme conditions for Cape Mendocino.

Sunset Welcomes the Night

Leonard and I shared helm watch through the night and slept off and on.  While Leonard was on watch we passed Eureka in the wee hours of the morning, suddenly the auto pilot dropped out and returned to “standby” mode (manual steering required).  The alarm hadn’t sounded so Leonard didn’t notice it until he looked at the chart plotter indicating that the boat was heading directly for land; “what’s going on? oops!”  He soon realized what had happened, got back on course, and re-engaged the auto pilot.  Then it was my turn to come on watch and I immediately noticed that a sailboat was directly ahead of our path about a mile out and approaching in the opposite direction.  Yes, it was time to take evasive action while Leonard caught up on some much needed sleep.  The dawn broke and gentle sea swells rolled under Got d’ Fever; it was the start of a new day.  Once again the seas were calm and we saw several whales making their north-south ocean voyage. 

Coast Guard on Patrol

Commercial Shrimping

Two fishing vessels could be seen in the distance trawling for their catch.  Over the radio we could hear the Coast Guard asking the captain of each fishing vessel what type of fish they were hauling.  Soon the Coast Guard Cutter headed our way and we too were contacted by radio, “what is your purpose and destination” they asked, “and when were you last boarded?”  We didn’t mind the questions; it’s nice to know that the Coast Guard boys are around!  

Commercial Fishing

We continued our journey northward, bypassing Crescent City and the historic Saint George Reef Lighthouse.  We reached Brookings, Oregon around 3pm and after a quick pit-stop for fuel, we were off again for another overnighter - “keep moving when the weather is good!” 

Saint George Lighthouse