Dana Point to Twin Harbors, Catalina & Twin Harbors to Santa Barbara

May 11, 2011

Dana Point to Twin Harbors Catalina

So.. I’m deflated….. I took pictures and transferred them (or thought I did) to my computer and then erased the memory on my camera only to find out that I hadn’t actually downloaded …… so no snaps of the bright sparkling water, the blue, blue heavens, the snug harbors along Catalina’s coast, the tanker crossing our bow or the oil rigs ringing Santa Barbara…….. but I’ll throw in some random shots just for fun.

The legend lives at Dana Point 

Wind light and variable, swells 4-6 feet, temperature fresh

A fabulously beautiful day, if a little rocky and rolly…….. We saw a whale spout in the distance and I had a faint (very faint) urge to run up the mast and sing out “Thar she blows!".   Other than that, there was very little traffic in sight, only the ferry to Avalon skimming along and quickly passing out of sight.  We left our own con train of white foam fading to stern with no other indication of passage;  blue on blue, and empty 360’. 

There was a man-over-board drill mid day when Dan’s hat flew off: it was safely rescued and then replaced by a beanie.

After Catalina emerged out of the hazy fog and Avalon came into focus, we decided to push on to Twin Harbors and arrived as dusk roseyed the bay.  There were no docks available, but hundreds of moorings arranged as tight as public parking spaces.  Fortunately, few were occupied, as it seems that the season hasn’t yet begun. We moored and, inadvertently, began a test; how long can a dog go without a patch of grass………. I had some doggy pads available, but Guy Noir hasn’t been trained to use them and didn’t seem to appreciate the idea, so began the clock, twelve hours and counting……..



A tall ship, a pirate I’m sure, patrolling the coast……..

The mooring was relatively calm, with only a gentle rocking to check how good our anti-rattling measures had worked.  After some additional adjustments to limit elusive clunking, we were rocked to sleep. 

May 12, 2011

Twin Harbors Catalina to Santa Barbara

Wind light at one point off the port bow, swells 4-6 feet, temperature fresh

Twenty four hours and counting…..

We slipped our moorings before the sun was fully up to get a jump on the leg to Santa Barbara…..which at 80+ miles was the longest stretch yet.  As the sun illuminated Catalina’s harbors along the coast and outlined the sleeping dragon’s profile of the northern tip, the swells increased and the pacific became grumpy, with swells 6-8 feet.  Blech…..wrapped in motion sickness I lay on the deck; this section was about as much fun as having the flu.  Ginger fails!! 

Guy Noir occasionally yelped in frustration…….

We came upon the coast by Pt Magoo, and eventually, as we tucked in the unseen lee of the Channel Islands the swells subsided somewhat, the temperature dropped to chill, as the wind increased to 10-20 knots.  Dan set the main, yankee jib, and staysail which steadied the motion while adding a few extra knots of speed.    Whew…… nothing was more welcome than the Santa Barbara harbor buoy!

Thirty six hours and then some, as Guy Noir hustled up the dock to dry ground….. he gets the iron dog award!!



Anti-scurvy Dinner:  Kumquat & Kalamata Olive Salad  with Pan Roasted Mushrooms and Wild Rice Soup