Morro Bay to San Diego, CA (Triumph)

December 12, 1999

Ellen: We left Morro Bay the morning of December 12th after staying four nights. We had been listening to the weather and sea conditions all four days waiting for good weather and calm seas. As well, Todd and Hollis had been printing out weather faxes and learning to interpret them. While we were enjoying Morro Bay very much, the fact that we still had to round Points Arguello and Conception was hanging over our heads. I was praying for conditions benign enough for the autopilot to handle. Fortunately, the weather and sea condition reports were accurate.

Sunday was a gorgeous day to be out on the water; approaching Point Arguello, the sea was glass. The rounding was uneventful, and we continued onto Long Beach. Motoring from Morro Bay to Long Beach only took Triumph 24 hours. Last year aboard Mandolin - and in cruising mode - we took about two weeks to cover the same distance.

Palos VerdesWe spent two nights in Long Beach in Alamitos Bay. On the second evening my Mom and sister, Todd's cousins Phil and Rose Marie and our friends John and Pat visited us aboard Triumph. It was great to see them all one last time.

December 15, 1999

We woke up at 0300 (that's 3am) and headed out of the harbor a little after 0400. It's now 1330 and San Diego (the tip of Point Loma) is 12 miles away. We are currently off shore of La Jolla. The temperatures are getting warmer - haleluia!

We plan to spend about 4 days in San Diego - most likely running around like chickens with our heads cut off. Hopefully we'll be able to see a few more sights than we did last year. My sister, Anna, is planning to visit us for a few days and promises to wisk us off to the Gas Lamp district.

After last minute errands and all the "oh-my-gosh-we-can't-leave-without-that!" out of the way, we will then be off for Mexico. Hollis would like to be in Cabo San Lucas by New Year's and we will hopefully by back aboard Mandolin by then. Wish us luck!

December 17, 1999

Ellen: We are currently in San Diego at Cabrillo Isle Marina. Checked into the San Diego cruisers net on the VHF radio this morning.

While checking into the marina yesterday morning, Todd ran into a friend we met in last year's Baja Haha, Bill. He gave us a ride to West Marine a little later in the day. We gave them a bunch of money, and they let us walk out the store with everything we need to apply a barrier coat to Mandolin's bottom and then apply new bottom paint. Oh boy. We filled Bill's trunk. It sure is good to have friends help us out.

Today Paula and I employed Bill's services once again to get fishing licenses at the Mexican fisheries office. That done, we found a Staples to make copies of boat documentation, amateur radio licenses, passports, etc. The days are sunny and the tempuratures comfortable.

My sister drove down to visit last night. We enjoyed a nice dinner with her at the gas light district. The following day we went to Hotel del Coronado to take in the sights of one of the largest wooden buildings in the states. Anna then took us up to Balboa Park. It was fun to be a tourist in San Diego.

Another trip or two to West Marine, some work on the engine and water maker and then we should be out of here and headed to parts south. Hopefully, nothing unexpected will come up to delay us further. Keep your fingers crossed!

December 21, 1999

Ellen: Well, we're not quite gone yet. Since we're still in San Diego so close to Christmas with a couple more days (at least) of boat projects, Hollis decided to stay in San Diego through Christmas. Much better than out at sea!

Todd, Paula and I were in the dinghy at Shelter Island when we saw a cruising boat pulling into the Police Docks. Hey! It's Emma, a boat we got to know in Mexico. They had just pulled in from slogging up the coast from Cabo. Very cool to see Dave and Lianne and give them a big Welcome Home. It will be fun to catch up with them over the next couple of days. Now I feel like we're cruising.

We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. We hope to celebrate New Year's in Mexican waters.

Love,

Todd and Ellen


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