Hearst Castle

South of Point Conception

We're only about three miles past Point Conception but we are past it. It was another very calm day. I believe we are officially in Southern California. It was another very good day for wildlife sightings. Whales and hundreds of dolphins. Many times we had very large groups of dolphins around the boat. At one point I'm sure there was in excess of 100 dolphins jumping around us. We are currently anchored in Cojo anchorage. A temporary stop for us slowpokes who can't make the next stop before nightfall.
We were heading to the Channel Islands tomorrow but our windlass motor mount broke again. I should be able to get the anchor up tomorrow but doubt it will last long. It was fixed in San Francisco most recently. We need to go to Santa Barbara to have it repaired.

Port San Luis

Morro Bay is part of a wet lands area that supports many different shore birds. We rented kayaks a couple of times and went exploring the shallow waters around the bay. There is a large cormorant, night egret, great blue heron and vulture rookery on one side of the bay that is very interesting.

We left Morro Bay this morning. Although we only covered 25 miles it was the calmest 25 miles of the trip. The sails didn't even go up. There were quit a few sea lions in the open water along the way. They porpoise through the water much like a dolphin does. We saw three whales in the shallow waters of San Luis Bay. I found this unusual as the bay is only about 20 to 30 feet deep. There is a shark warning on the beach of all things. They sighted a great white here about a week ago. I think I'll just wade into the water up to my waist and clean a few fish.

We haven't talked to a sailor from California who hasn't said that conditions change dramatically for the better once you go around Point Conception. Tomorrow we should do just that.

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see:

http://www.sailmail.com

Morro Bay

We've been in Morro Bay a few days. The sail from San Simeon was very easy for a change. A bit of fog in Morro Bay but not too bad. Morro Bay is an interesting little town with lots of small shops along the waterfront. We met up with Kathy and Steve of S/V Psyche, a couple we met earler in Monterey Bay. They borrowed a car from a nephew they have here in Morro Bay and we tagged along with them to Hearst Castle. There is no doubt the Hearst Family made a lot of money. The castle is much larger and elobarate than I would have expected. 65 bathrooms, 4 pools 3 guest houses, zoo, etc etc. Very ornate.

Nadia

Songline

Songline at Pebble Beach, anchored off Hole 17

Family Photo