Channel Islands

We said goodbye to Santa Barbara after a two week visit. By normal holiday standards that would have been a long vacation and I doubt I would ever budget that much time into a visit to Santa Barbara. Somehow time seems to go by quicker while cruising. There are all the usual domestic chores that need to be done plus because we have no car and rely on walking or public transit everything takes a little bit longer. No complaints though we all feel much healthier for it. In short we saw the butterfly exhibit, took in the Grossology exhibit at the Natural History Museum (yes you can smell armpit odor or learn how people vomit), rented a surrey (four wheeled covered pedal car), went to public library, went snorkeling and swimming, music festival, Harry Potter party, had a new windlass pump mount made, had new glasses made (lost them while dinghying in Morro Bay).

We headed for Santa Rosa Island on the west side of the northern group of Channel Islands. Unfortunately it was too windy to launch or land a dinghy. The island looked very interesting and everyone was disappointed. It blew fairly hard through the night and with no let up seen in the forecast we departed for a more sheltered anchorage on Santa Cruz. It was one of those nights sailors hate, having to wake every couple of hours and check the anchor hoping you won't need to do a midnight departure because of a dragging anchor (30kt + winds). The sail past the west side of Santa Cruz is very scenic. The island has steep sides and was shrouded in fog. Pictures to follow. Nadia and I are going fishing this morning, always an adventure.

Nadia's Notes: To Grandma, when you put lipstick on your lips your are really putting algae on your lips. I saw a sunfish on our trip to Santa Cruz Island.

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