July Trip

Wednesday, July 15th. It was very foggy when we left Morro Bay and the visibility most of the day was less than one mile. The wind was very light until 1400 so it took a long time to get north of Point Estero. The afternoon wind was just right for smooth sailing. I didn't want to spend a night floating around out in the dark fog so we headed for San Simeon Bay. With the help of GPS we entered the bay (very slowly) at 2330 in thick fog and got anchored.

At daybreak it was very foggy but the sun was bright in the bay by 0930. Another boat was anchored near the beach. He sailed over to talk. He was delivering the boat to San Francisco, the motor had stopped running and he had no electricity for the lights. He was going back to Morro Bay to get the motor repaired. Delivering a boat can be a challenge!

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I had a nice sail that afternoon out to Point Piedras Blancas and back. It wasn't foggy but the clouds were low with visibility of three miles. At least the wind was just right for sailing. When I returned a family from Port San Luis were busy getting anchored.

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The next day I left earlier and took a longer sail out toward the ship lane and then north to Ragged Point. The wind was 15 to 17 knots which is just right for upwind sailing with the jib reefed. The photo shows us heading back to Piedras Blancas on a broad reach. We are making more than 5 knots and I am happy.

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On the way from Piedras Blancas to San Simeon the fog caught up with us. But then while sailing the last mile to the buoy the fog cleared out and San Simeon Point could be seen in bright

sunlight. The Castle is on the ridge just left of center. The bay is behind the point.

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Going back to Morro Bay on Saturday the fog finally cleared and white, puffy clouds could be seen above. The sailing conditions were still near to perfect.

We were home at 1600. Another very nice little trip was finished. So far this year I have had good luck in picking times to go sailing when the sailing conditions were excellent.