Anchored off Cabo San Lucas

Need we say more?

Turtle Bay BC

Just a quick update while we sit having cervezas at a beach bar in Turtle Bay, Baja.

We set out from Ensenada, heading South, in great weather. Found a couple of overnight anchorages and then decided to make a 28 hour run to Turtle Bay. 

Holy crap!!! Some rough weather set in that was not ANY weather predictions. Winds to about 25 knots and waves to 10 to 12 feet. We got the shit beat out of us for about 10 hours. Becky is one hell of a foul weather helmsman!

Anyway, all is good, Manatee is a great boat and as they say "the boat can take a lot more than you can". By the way, I think that's true because the boat can't puke.

Great times, great learning, and great 15 hours worth of sleep, once we made the shelter of anchorage in the bay.

Sailing to Mexico

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.

Manatee

Now for the story of the new "MTN DAWG 5". Maybe "SEA DAWG" because, well, it should be obvious, right?

Her name will remain "MANATEE" as named by the previous owners, Chris and Kelly, who took great care of and loved her as a child.

Manatee is a 1980 Gulfstar 47 foot Sailmaster. She's 47 ft long and 13 ft 10 inches wide, ketch rigged, she has two state rooms, and two heads.

Here are a few pics from when we had her hauled out for the vessel survey...

We are upgrading a few things and fixing a couple minor items, moving in and making it our home. I know what you're thinking "where are they going next" or "what the hell" or "I want to go!" Or maybe "when the hell did Rob and Becky learn to sail"...

We are formulating plans right now so we will have to update y'all more pretty soon.

For now, good sailing to all you landlubbers.

Like The great Captain Ron said, "if it's going to happen, it's going to happen out there".

One last though for this post, from Chief Master Sergeant to Captain, that's a pretty good promotion...or demotion...no, it would be a Navy Captain (O-6 style)... Suck it Rogers!!!!!!

Love y'all

R and B

December update

ok, so we have been out of touch for a while, not posting here or Face Book, sorry about that! We do have a little update though...

From Pismo we went a little further South and spent some time at our friends house (parked in their driveway), Frank and Andrea. We spent almost two weeks with them to include a GREAT thanksgiving day and dinner. The company was great and the food was amazing!!!!!! Becky pitched in on the thanksgiving cooking and baking. Becky makes some of the most amazing cookies!

We got to spend time helping on a few small home projects and spending time with Franky was awsome.

We continue to meet some very interesting people along the way...Gary, I can't say enough about the things he has done or people he knows. If you are a friend of Becky's on Facebook, look him up.

Oh yea, for those of you that do know the plan of looking at sailboats in a few years, we decided to take some time in the warm Southern California weather to take a look at a few boats and start getting ideas of what we wanted.

So we headed for Long Beach and set up a few appointments. Man there are some pretty crappy boats out there. 

GUESS WHAT??? We fell in love with a sailboat and it was a deal that we couldn't pass up...that's right boy and girls, we went ahead and bought a beautiful yacht.

Yup, this one is the teaser...

Pismo beach late October

Our first real designation was the beach. We love beach camping and it's a great place to watch, meet, and talk to people from all over.

If you are interested in camping on the beach here, there are a few things you should know. We figured we would give a little review and some tips.

Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area

http://www.yelp.com/biz/oceano-dunes-state-vehicular-recreation-area-oceano

Is a great place for riding on the dunes. We have seen dirtbikes, quads, side-by-sides, buggies, jeeps, etc out on the dunes. Other activities here are surf fishing, surfing, jet skis in the surf, and all you normal beach stuff.

Camping on week days is pretty good but the weekend brings tons of people when there's good weather. As with anytime you get people, multiple activities, and alcohol all packed into one relatively small area it can get frustrating sometimes...

TACTICAL TIP - calm the f@ck down and enjoy watching the crazies.

TIp - come early and find a nice spot to camp, above the high water marks, and read tide reports.

Also, there have been people camping here for a long time and campfire pits get buried by the blowing sand. This means you will most likely be parking on top of an old fire pit. Add to this, people who's parents did not teach them well enough to clean up after themselves, and you may be setting up right on top of glass bottles, used paper plates, etc. the Parks Department does a great job of cleaning up after the slobs, but they aren't everywhere and can't pick up everything. 

Read all you can online (trip advisor, yelp, others) before you come down.

As for meeting great people, we met Josh and Patsy from Canada. We wound up sharing a few days, stories, campfires, some drink (Josh) and meals. 

Talks of travel and rigs and food and kids, and family were all great and I hope they get home and are still saying "I tell you what?" With a harsh Sothern accent.

It was wonderful meeting them and look forward to seeing them someday up in the cold North East, cheers to Canada!

The adventure begins

As of 1218L on 22 Oct 2014, we are officially on the road!!

We tied up loose ends in Reno, got to go to sushi for Lisa's birthday and play a little Cards Against Humanity, and say so long to friends and family.

We first went to Susanville CA for a hair appointment for Becky (yea, I know what you're thinking). After the exciting time of niece Karma doing Becky's hair, we are off to see family here in Susanville and then make a loop through Northern CA over to the coast and head South, finaly.