Trips about Sailing
Sailing on the Columbia River
My first introduction to sailing was with one of my advisors at LIGO who owned a Cal 32. On two separate occasions he took the REU students, including myself, out onto the river for a night of sailing. It was fun and my love of sailing has stemmed from this time.
Anacapa Island Cruise
I recently joined the Fairwind Sailing Club and this weekend went on one of their frequent cruises (this one being just a day cruise). We sailed out to Anacapa Island, the closest of the Channel Islands, which is about 10 miles offshore. The original plan had been to anchor near the island and do a hike, but strongs winds stopped that from happening and we just ended up sailing around the island. But the strong winds did make for some great sailing and the great weather made for good photographs. We did meet up briefly with one of the club's other boats, the 40-foot Angelsea, but it soon left our smaller boat behind. However, we did get the opportunity to watch some of the tall ships from Oxnard's Tall Ship Festival sailing near the marina, as well as a small mock battle between some of the ships.
Around Anacapa Island
I've been going out sailing the last few weekends, and decided to take a group out to Anacapa. Of course, the forecasted winds kept falling as the day got closer, and we started out not even expecting to make the island. Instead, we hit 10-15 knot winds pretty soon after getting out of the harbor and started making 5-6 knot progress towards Anacapa. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and getting there earlier than we expected (and praying for good winds) we decided to round the whole island. Approaching the south side, we saw plenty of sea lions hanging out on shore, but had to ignore them while we dealt with the sudden gust of wind create by the funneling effect between the first two of Anacapa's islands. We reefed the main, rolled up the jib almost completely, and made 5 knot progress into the wind.
Of course, good winds never last and we lost the wind around southwestern portion of the island and ended up motoring for about a half-hour. Still, we rounded the island, saw a few whales between Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, and got the wind back on the north side of the island. From there we sailed back home and made it in just before sunset.
A great day, both for sailing and seeing Anacapa! Plus, a lot of great photographs. I think at some point in the near future we'll do a whole day trip out to eastern end of Santa Cruz.
Anacapa Island Again
I sailed out to Anacapa Island again with several friends, which was a nice trip. A bit cloudier than we would have liked, but a few nice photographs.
Santa Cruz Cruise
In order to be allowed to take out boats overnight in the yacht club I belong to, I took an exam while sailing to Santa Cruz Island for a 2 night cruise aboard our club's flagship, Angelsea. We spent the first night in Smuggler's Cove, and the second night in Prisoners' Harbor. The second day I spent some time kayaking (my first time) around the harbor. We had an amazing sunrise the third day, and then set sail back to the mainland. Plenty of great photographs and a great weekend.
