We knew this trip would be challenging. What we didn't expect was the ways it has been especially challenging. Engine problems, storage in small places, cold nights, seasickness, these we expected. But, we hadn't given much thought to how rough fatigue can be on a relationship. I recently told this to a couple with two young kids and they both smiled, graciously reminding me that we're not the first couple to face this. So, we're both adjusting, learning to be more patient and figuring out how to take care of each other and ourselves.
Our stay in Monterey coincided with the cold spell that dusted places like Santa Rosa with snow. On a couple of mornings the boat and docks were covered with frost, and we considered getting a space heater. But, we figured this was silly since we're heading south and really don't have the extra space. Regardless, Monterey during the holidays is a cozy place to wander around when the sky is gray. The historical district is charming and lit up like a Christmas Tree. There is also a well connected pathway of trails along the waterfront and into downtown, which makes it an especially nice place to be without a car. Within a 15- 20 minute walk we could be at the library, Trader Joes, the marine store, the movie theater, or the museum. One of the things I'm most enjoying about our trip so far, is the walking. My life before had been a lot of driving, so this is a welcome change of pace.
After changing one of the hoses along the fuel line, the engine is now running as it should be. We waited a few more days for the weather to clear, filled the water tank, stocked up on soups and headed along down the coast. We spend a night anchored at San Simeon looking up at Hearst Castle. It was pretty, and we spotted our first whale, but the boat tossed back and forth pretty awful, so we pulled up the anchor and went to Port San Luis. The highlight of Port San Luis was a well deserved soak in the mineral springs. Up until this point, we'd had the luxury of a dock to bring the boat up along side when we went ashore. Port San Luis, however, only had tall fishing piers. Boaters anchor out or tie up to a mooring ball and use their dinghy to go ashore. Our dinghy options are a 2 person kayak and a windsurfing board with a paddle. That day, we picked the kayak. We loaded ourselves, my chair, and a daypack into the kayak and paddled towards the beach. We thought we'd timed it pretty well, but our first surf landing wasn't pretty. The waves pushed us sideways and over we went. Fortunately, it was warm and there was still a hot spring in the future. The trip back to the boat was less eventful, but we still had a good laugh, as we forgot to bring headlamps and hadn't left a light on to help us find the boat. That night seemed especially dark and even the sea otters which are terribly cute during the day, were a bit creepy as they stared at us paddling by.
The next stop was Santa Barbara, where we stayed for a couple of days, waiting for the end of a gale warning, hoping to make it to Newport Beach by Christmas day. We arrived late Christmas eve and enjoyed the next few days with family. Kari and Tyler joined us for a day sail and a night tour of the lighted boats and houses in the harbor.
We've been in Newport Beach for about a week, getting our boat documents in order to cross the boarder. My guess is that we'll be leaving for San Diego in a few days and Mexico soon after that.
The most used boat in Newport harbor is a 20 ft electric boat called a Duffy. They are basically a golf cart for the water. It looks like the boats from Disneyland's Jungle Cruise ride. We've seen college kids, families, older couples, even single people touring the harbor at all times of the day. They simply crack us up. I wonder if they have Duffy races.
Kristi
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