In Newport Beach

 We arrived in Newport Beach at 1315 and after tying up Mark went to Blackie’s to confirm they could show the rugby on Saturday.  We then met up with Barb and went to dinner.  On Saturday morning Mark cycled over to Minney’s a second hand yacht parts store.  Then West Marine on the way back.  Pauline took advantage of the free laundry and got a load done.  After replacing the life rings and the mizzen halyard we set out to Blackie’s.  This World Cup Final was a problem as Pauline is a staunch All Blacks supporter and Mark follows the Springboks.  It was a close final and we were both on the edge of our seats.  I am sure everyone knows the results so that is all we will say about it.

Pauline, Mark and Barb

Avalon Bay

 

 

Tied up on the moorings in Avalon Bay.  Took advantage of the special pay for two nights get five free.  That means a week of not moving!

 

When we got to the pier after mooring Sari Timur, we were greeted with dancers.  We thought it was to welcome us but everyone was actually waiting to welcome the traveling image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  What an experience for us as Catholics.

the dancers in their regalia

they placed flowers on her head and at her feet

A group of ex cruisers meets up every year in Avalon for a reunion to reminisce and tell cruising stories.  We were planning to join them and were going to stop for a night at Santa Cruz Island before heading to Catalina Island but decided the timing was perfect to keep going.  It was while we were passing Santa Cruz Island that we heard weather reports of high waves barring the entrance of the southern bays so were glad we chose not to stop.

 

These are the friends we rushed to see in Avalon. We met them when we were cruising in Southeast Asia.

 

L to R : Mimi, Catherine, Cheryl, Pat, Resa, Beth, Jim and Al.  Mark looks big because of the wide angle lens.  Resa and Ralph are the hosts and Ralph is missing in the photo.

 

Half Moon Bay to ?

We got fuel and departed Half Moon Bay on Tuesday in what might be called sporty conditions.  We were heading south, hoping to get all the way to the Santa Cruz Islands but not ruling out ducking into Monterey Bay somewhere.  The wind was gusting to 40 but it was behind us.  A little too square but behind us so we kept on south.  The seas were on the aft quarter but as we neared the point above Monterey we had a few larger ones swing a little more toward the beam.  

Anyway just after departing HMB we got a message from the old Sunflower crew that they were heading to Catalina Island for their annual reunion of some of the old time cruisers of SE Asia.  This sounded interesting, so as we were making great speeds under sail we skipped pulling into anything Monterey had to offer and set our sights at least on Santa Cruz Island.

We lost the wind yesterday morning so have been motoring since then.  We are a few hours from Santa Cruz Island at present but are expecting the wind to build from the not so favorable direction.  So our present thinking is to take advantage of the light airs and motor sail straight to Catalina.  But who knows.  Watch this space.

Mark Made it back to Sari Timur

 The bad weather scheduled to hit Dutch Harbor was delayed and the flight was allowed to leave early.  So after an all night trip Doug and Suzie picked him up from the airport and drove him back to Pillar Point.  Thanks Doug and Suzie.

Mark Made it to Dutch Harbor

 Well Mark made it to Dutch Harbor.  He has a flight booked out tomorrow that will take him all night to get back to San Francisco.  But here is the scary part.  There is a weather system scheduled to arrive tomorrow night.  Dutch has a terrible airport and weather often makes flights turn around with out landing.  So watch this space to see if he escapes!

Update on Mark

 Mark is currently up the Yukon River hiding out from some weather.  It looks like a small break tomorrow and they are going to try and make the run to Dutch Harbor where he will get off.  That is the plan as of right now.  It has changed four times in three days.  But that is the nature of remote Alaska at this time of year.