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What I Saw

Greg Ashby and I went out into the Golden Gate to photograph the fleet as they exited the Bay. Greg took the photos, I took video with my phone and tried not to fall off the boat. Here's what I was able to capture, Greg's photographs will follow: https://vimeo.com/841558051

I know. I know. I won't quit my day job.
 
Flew up to Drakes Bay on Tues. RYC to anchor down = 8:39-2:30. 17 knots in RYC, motorsailed w reefed main only. TOTALLY soaked throughlong underwear and foul weather gear by Pt Bonita. CG cutter accompanied me out the golden gate along my port side ("Now why on earth would that crazy sailor be out here today?"), then, at Bonita, it crossed slowly close in front of me ("last chance if you need something from us"), then accelerated over to Bonita Channel and was lost in the fog.

Dense fog all day. It was a southern wind and wind waves but not many were breaking. DM got pushed up the coast all day, saw 10.4 knots. After changing into dry clothes it was mo betta. Southerly swell in DB made me slightly nauseous, pot fell off my little stove a couple of times while I boiled water for couscous, dried mangos and chocolate for dessert. Anchored right next to the rocks, swell never really stopped but lessened. I was the only boat there. Seemed weird not to be surrounded by other sailors, chatting around on radios. Would've liked that but oh well. This was nice, too.

IMG_5500.jpeg

Wed a.m. pulled anchor easily, sailed up and around Pt Reyes in dense fog for the first three hours. I could see blue skies to starboard, across the hills in the promised land. Four hours after leaving DB entered Tomales Bay. Slid through the mud at one point, yes. Left DB @ 8:30 got to mouth of Tomales @ 12:10, anchored in White Gulch when I got there.

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So beautiful here, have stayed two nights. Today's another day. Off to Heart's Desire Beach and maybe cell service. None here. Will call Milly, see what's up at Inverness YC. I have my little orange Big Five blow up dinghy.

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'No more than 200# children must be supervised'

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Ah, but someone needs to bring the garlic butter and sweet French baguette and someone needs to eat those rock crabs. That would be me!

What's a rock crab? Are they like crawdads?

It is so splendid up here. I think we should have a cruise out to Tomales Bay in 2024. Who's in for that?
 
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I am!
Also, kayak camping on a beach north of there I witnessed some clam fishing with impressive results.
You need a 5Gal bucket with the bottom cut out and a long fore-arm. He went shoulder deep into that bucket!
It was a giant clam (Geoduck?) He said they pound the meat flat and pan fry it.
 
Tomales Bay event. - sign me up. I will figure the best way to get on the water up there.

I am not familiar how a 5 gallon bucket with the bottom cut out produces clams, but I am willing to learn.

Cheers,
Ants
 
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AntsUiga said:
Tomales Bay event. - sign me up. I will figure the best way to get on the water up there.
I am not familiar how a 5 gallon bucket with the bottom cut out produces clams, but I am willing to learn.
Click to expand...

I used to know three ways in; Lawson's, a State ramp on hwy one, and a boatell (motel w/slips) in Inverness, but that was years ago, and I'm sure there are more; Milly probably knows.

The clams live deep. The five gallon bucket with it's bottom removed, (or preferably bigger diameter PVC sewer pipe) gives you targeted digging, while supporting the sides. Otherwise, you'd have to dig a hole three or four times the diameter of the bucket. Small army camp shovel works well in the small space.
 
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Hey Jackie, great writeup! I didn't know the full story of Sea Squirrel, nor that any of us had a close encounter with the rowing race. And I was wondering what those gorgeous leis were made of -- ti leaves, huh? I still have mine.

One little quibble: "Iniscaw, a 32-foot Martin, came up from Southern California on a trailer." Where'd you hear that? I motorsailed up with my friend and fellow former SSS member Dan Haynes. One strange and amusing incident on the way up was hearing my boat name being called on the VHF near Port San Luis, when I didn't see any other vessels. It was Alex on Reverie, who saw me on AIS. Taking a more careful look around, I did pick him out against the shore.

Max
 
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Oh dear! Sorry, Max. Thank you for reading my column! Congratulations upon your finish in the race from San Francisco to Kauai in your 30’ sailboat which you completed in 15:11:41:02 (fifteen days, eleven hours and change).

Max Crittenden in Hanalei Bay - Copy.jpg

As you know, I have posted on the Singlehanded Sailing Society Forum for years, where I am often corrected gently but firmly. As you do here. Of course, this calls for a formal retraction. The s/v Iniscaw motorsailed up the coast. She did not come up on a trailer. Big difference. Much slower. In big wind? Much more painful. You and Dan should get due credit for that. Here is a photograph of you upon arrival in Hanalei after racing solo from San Francisco. It is always great to see you. (p.s. yes, this response and photo will be in the November Bay & Delta Yachtsman Magazine. There's probably a marketing strategy associated with this).

Jackie
 
Hi Jackie. I also read your story on the SHTP and as usual, you captured not only the details but the spirit of the entire experience. There might be an itsy bitsy, teeny weeny typo where it says the belt buckle goes to the winner. But then when you consider that everyone who finishes the race is a winner then maybe it's right. Your contributions to the SSS are amazing, as is the photo of Max above.

Bill Meanley
Dolfin, Crealock 37
 
Thanks, Bill. Well, that was a glitch, wasn't it? However, if anyone else reads the column that carefully, every time you walk into a yacht club bar wearing your buckle(s) you will get even MORE approbation, right?
 
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Wednesday night there I was waiting around to do the beer can race, talking with Commodore Chris. Harmon Shragge came walking up the D dock ramp wearing his Junior Ranger hat. Big smile, he looked very happy and about 12 years old. Ran over to collect my camera, got these photos and video of Moli and Randall and Harmon leaving for Alaska.

https://vimeo.com//860363857

Randall said Moli will be one of the smallest of about 400 boats on the hard in the yard for the winter. He really likes the people up there, many of whom are homesteaders, some second generation.
 
Thanks Jackie for the correction and the cool photo! Mind if I download and use it? Full credit of course.

And that's a great video of wild and crazy Randall and Harmon. Is that the Byrds covering Dusty Springfield's "Going Back"? I haven't heard that one. I'm most familiar with Nils Lofgren's version on a live album.

Max
 
Critter said:
Thanks Jackie for the correction and the cool photo! Mind if I download and use it? Full credit of course. Max
Click to expand...

Max, of course you can have that photo! There is one on Norcal Sailing of you with your beautiful smile, Jonathan or Christine took it, but I plan to use this one in the November column because it is mine.
 
Got a new mirrorless camera, took it up to Tomales. Thank you to Jonathan Gutoff for advice about what to buy. It's nice up there. Spiritual, that's one way of describing it. Here's a small bit of what I saw: https://vimeo.com//861424848
 
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