We set the date to depart Wilmington CA (where we temporarily slipped the boat) for the 28th of December. We had a great Christmas with Robbie, Elaine, and Chuck, tied up more loose ends with boat (I swear it will never be done...I know, that's the nature of sailboats).
Thanks to great friends like Frank and Andrea we were able to leave on time at 0001hrs on the 28th (280001DEC2014). They picked Becky up at LAX (return from Reno/Susanville and her father's funeral service) at about 2100 and got her to the boat. Dean, our Captain/instructor/friend, was there at 2200 to check over the boat. Well, almost 2200, I forgot to tell him that we moved the Manatee from Long Beach Shoreline Marina to Yacht Haven Marina in Wilmington. Great way to start a trip, right?
As for the trip, the first leg was going to be to Dana Point CA but due to incoming weather we left early and would have been stopping there WAY TOO early (sorry about missing lunch!!). Anyway, Dean tells us that we need to head out at midnight...my response was, and I quote "seriously? What the hell?? Well, if you say so." When I told Becky, she said just about the exact same thing.
So, on the inside I'm freaked out a little (ok, a lot) about leaving and sailing to San Diego at night...for the first time...F$@K'N EVER IN MY LIFE, AT NIGHT, WHAT THE HELL IS THIS GUY THINKING!?!?!?!?
On the outside, I'm calm, cool, and collected, just as a seasoned Chief should always look like (yea, never let'um see ya sweat, right?). Becky, with the few days prior, was wiped out and needed to sleep like ASAP, so just after we got through Angels Gate of the Port of LA, she headed below to try and get some rack time (out like a light...bam). I'm chatting with Dean as we (he's got me behind the wheel and him coaching) head out into the DAMN SHIPPING CHANNEL where there are going to be big cargo, cruise, tanker, etc ships everywhere, and us so small they probably can't even see us on radar.
I mention to Dean my..."minor" nervousness and in not so many words he said "yea but it's really nice out here at night and you won't ever be scared of doing this again" or something real close to that, I can't really remember exactly, I was too busy trying to curb my bowls from execising there natural fight-or-flight response of emptying themselves. After about 10 minutes past the breakwater and into the shipping lane...I realized he was absolutely right, it was quite, clear, and beautiful. You can see other ships and boats for miles and the lights of LA are gorgeous from offshore. It was one of the most awsome feelings to be out there and comfortable. Thanks Dean, I would have never tried that on my own.
Becky slept and Dean and I talked the entire trip, about just about everything. At least until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. So, feeling quite guilty, I told him that I needed to get a little bobo (20-30 min nap). I woke up 4 hours later and jumped up, rubbing my eyes and said "how's things" he just looked at and said "all good".
It was about sun up and I think I may have taken the helm, anyway we still had a ways to go.
Becky came up shortly after and took the helm for the entrance in to San Diego harbor and Kona Kai Marina. Dean had secured us a slip there for the night and let us use his 4Runner to do a couple last minute things and get ready for a 0600 departure headed for Ensenada MX.
0500 on the 29th (290500DEC2014), I'm up and readying the Manatee for a 0600 departure. Dean arrives a bit after and we finish up and fire the engine up to warm up a bit before we back out. The slip we were in was all the way in and tight to a cross dock off to our starboard quarter, so Dean cast off lines while I start backing her out. He kept hold of the starboard stern line to help turn us out of the tight slip them jumped aboard and we headed out. It was a beautiful sunrise that morning and a little chilly. I froze my ass off last night and refused to be cold today. So I bundled up in like 5 layers and cranked the generator up so we could run the heater. It warmed up in few hours and all was good.
We also caught a bit of wind on our way South, hoisted all the sails and we're making as much as 7.8knts (speed made good). It was a great sail, and again, great instruction from Dean.
Becky and I have both read stories of people sailing into Ensenada and the weather turns warmer, the air smells fresher and dolphins come out to ride the bow and greet you...guess what...that's exactly what happened. It was pretty cool, we saw a super-pod (must have been over 100) of dolphins about 75m off our starboard and then shortly after, we could see 5 or 6 headed right for us off the port bow. They came along side and right up front. Becky was able to get a couple of pictures but they came out and said hey then took off again.
Arrived in Ensenada, Coral Marina. We will be stay here for a couple weeks and finishing up a couple items and just chill'n and planning our next leg or three.
