We left Monterey for a 132 nm sail to San Luis Obispo. We knew we would be sailing through out the night and we didn’t have to get up at the crack of dawn either. This was great as it gave time for the fog to burn off and the hustle of the morning boats to settle out. We were able to check out the fuel dock the day before so we had our approach planned. It was actually quit easy to get into and out of. We fueled and then headed out. As we got into the bay the time was 1034 am. We raised the main and let out the headsail and for the next several hours caught the wind and sailed on out of Monterey Bay. It was a pleasant day. The sun was warm and the breeze was at our backs making the rest of the morning and afternoon wonderful. Hoodies and hats off and on all day. There wasn’t too many other boats close. A few fishing vessels dotted the view but other than that not much else. We had a pod of wales breach and slap their tails for a while. Every time they surface I feel so lucky to be the one watching them. You could say we did a lot of nothing but you would be surprised how fast the time goes by.
We sailed on through out the day. I had been trying to busy my self with checking the horizon and helming when I could just to keep the tummy happy. But as the sun was setting I headed to bed. Makes me mad and frustrated that my body can defy me like that. I was not nervous about sailing through out the night. The forecast called for clear skies. It was a new moon as well. Best for watching the stars. Sam helmed while I napped with the plan I would switch him out at 2 as long as he could stay awake that long. By midnight I was wide awake and not feeling any better. By the noises up top I could tell we had lost wind as well. I got dressed and headed to the cockpit. The night air was chilly but not uncomfortable. That quick blast of cool air helps the nausea. Sam heads to bed after a quick report. Little does he know what he is heading into. Sleeping while under sail in light winds with the banging and creaking and water slapping. He is in for a special treat. I turn the auto pilot on so I can spend more time looking at the stars. Right away I begin seeing meteors. Several of them are long and bright shooting across the sky to disappear out of view. It keeps my mind off the nausea. I am also able to move more with Hiraya which helps tremendously. Every so often I take a chance and glance down at the water. Hoping to catch a dolphin or bioluminescence. Nothing yet.
As the night goes on my routine is the same. Gaze at the stars then gaze at the horizon then a quick glance at the water. Keeping the chilly air on my face is refreshing. I see a light out in the distance of the port side of the bow. It is bright and appears to be shining through the water. It’s appears to be flashing in an unorganized pattern. To my self I speak out loud “what is that”? It comes and goes and after a few hours it reappears brighter and with a more consistent pattern but I can’t figure out what exactly it is yet. I finally cave and wake Sam to take a look and help me figure out what it was. It took him longer to get dressed then to look at the light and say rather irritated “It’s the light house”. I send him back to bed while I wonder if I am more tired than I thought I was. But, I prefer being up top then down below when feeling iffy. He tries to nap but the glow at the horizon is growing so he makes coffee and watches the sun rise with me. He naps off and on in the cockpit until we make San Luis Obispo.
As we enter the San Luis Obispo Bay we are met with a blast of warm air. It was as if we had walked through a heater and are pleasantly surprised to see 76 degrees. The cacti are out and the air feels drier. It’s as if you can feel the climate change from the North West to Sothern California. We are getting closer. The anchorage at San Luis Obispo is simple. We are alone again besides one other boat. Our view is of the beach with large old piers on either side of us. The mooring field is to the port side along with the dingy dock and their historical pier. We are excited to explore tomorrow but for now we rest.