Follow The Horizon

We were hoping to make it to Crescent City, but we didn’t like the look of the Predict Wind models up ahead. 30 knots with gusts seemed a bit too much for us at this point, so we took down the whisker pole, and veered off on a reach to Newport, Oregon. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to these bar entrances. Running in between two breakwaters with the ocean waves crashing on either side is exhilarating… err frightening.

We entered the Port of Newport Marina, and since we hadn’t been able to reserve a slip, we decided to stop at the fuel dock first. Getting onto the dock in the 30 knot gusts was tricky. Power on pointed at the dock at 30 degrees, crank the wheel to port and throw it in reverse. It only took 2 tries. Good thing: we were running out of dock!

The marina is great. Friendly staff, and clean facilities. It also included free bus passes, so we hopped on the little city loop bus to go across the bridge into town to visit the marine store, and get a few groceries. The bus driver was super friendly and helpful. Tell him where you’re going, and he just lets you know when you’re there. Almost door to door service, with a little tour guiding thrown in.

Tomorrow we’re planning to point our bow south again and see if we can make it to San Francisco in the next leg. It looks like a great time to round the infamous Cape Mendocino, but if things don’t turn out the way the models predict, we stop in Crescent City.