Sunday, May 24, 2014 - from Fort Bragg, CA to Port Orford, OR

Friday, May 23, 2014 – heading north from Trinidad Harbor

Fort Bragg Marina

Departure from Fort Bragg on Thursday was predawn.  The tide had already begun to ebb and full ebb is the worst time to cross bars.  The crabber tied next to us pulled out and we followed within 10 minutes around 5 am. 

I was not looking forwarded to the day, and, in retrospect, it is one I could happily have skipped altogether.  We knew from the weather that it would be better today then any other day for a week so we felt we had to go regardless. The lump started as soon as we left the river.  After Wednesday, I was apprehensive.  I have to say that it was not as bad as Wednesday, but it was still an uncomfortable ride for most of the day.  Initially we were barreling along at over 7 knots, and with the current against the wind the swells were large and close. 

At some point between Punta Gorda and Cape Mendocino the current changed, so we traded 2 knots of speed for a more comfortable, if longer, ride.  It was cold so we had all the windows closed and I was taking comfort from the wind gauge that never varied from 6.  Of course, Earl had to point out to me that it was not working and he thought it was probably blowing 30 to 35.  I was happier thinking it was 6.

I am now accustomed to having everything on the floor.  I had been diligently putting things back on the berth above the bench in the pilot house.  I am no longer bothering.  It is easier to step over stuff than dodge it.

Our choice was between going into Eureka and getting a slip or going on 20 miles to Trinidad and anchoring.  Bypassing Eureka was a time saver and also allowed for an early departure today.  The downside of that decision was it was 12:30 by the time we inched our way into the Trinidad harbor between crab pots.  As it turned out, we did not go in far enough and ended up with a very rocky night, made even worse by the periodic banging of an unlatched closet door.  I was too tired to care, but it was not a great night.  Earl called it quits at 6 and pulled the anchor. 

We are headed for Brookings, just above the California Border, and more than halfway up the US coast.  It is a beautiful ride.  The wind gauge which has been reset says 8, the seas are flat and we are going 6.6.  An added bonus, so far we have seen no crab pots once past Trinidad.  Who cares if it is foggy!  Even better, Brookings is about 60 miles from Trinidad.  We should be able to tie up by late afternoon and have a nice dinner on a stable table. 

Saturday, May 24, 2014 – Anchored at Port Orford, Oregon

Well I spoke too soon.  Not 5 minutes after writing that we had seen no crab pots, we started to see them.  However, the weather remained reasonable and the fog lifted. 

Brookings turned out to be out of the question.  They required that our insurance company fax them a copy of our insurance policy specifically adding Brookings port as a covered party.  At 4:45 pm that was not going to happen.  We had found a couple of possible anchorages not too far from Brookings and, since the weather was okay, decided to head north. 

We opted for Mack Arch.  Here the anchorage is tucked behind a combination of reef and standing rocks and it looked good.  In we went and found that the seas were definitely reduced, but the swell did continue.  Dinner demanded coordination as the boat rolled and when we got to bed, the gentle rocking was sometimes rather more than less.  It was, however, far better than the night we had spent in Trinidad! 

Mach Arch

By morning we were in a sea of fog.  At about 6 we headed north.  It was not the best, but far from the worst, of conditions.  The only other boats we saw were some good sized crabbers.  They must have thought we were nuts (and who is to say that we aren’t?)  The winds were 20 to 25 and gusting to 35.

Happiness is a great anchorage, with no swell, at noon!  We got into Port Orford and tucked in behind a cliff to the north and watch as our wind gauge dropped from 35+ to 15.  There was time for Earl to wash down the boat while I picked up the debris from the last few days before of lovely lunch of Bloody Marys and potstickers.  The afternoon included naps, reading, knitting, trimming Daisy’s eyebrows and just enjoying a boat that was not moving. 

Happy anchorage at Port Orford

Port Orford is not your usual harbor.  There is no marina.  Instead the boats are lifted out of the water by cranes and stored on land. 

Port Orford non- marina

After the last few days since leaving Bodega Bay our expectations of sea conditions have certainly changes.  White water seems normal.  However, I am an optimist.  The weather for the next few days looks like it will be better.  Here’s hoping!