For a while, I’ve been envisioning what the next Catalina trip will be like. OMG, it has been 8 years! I’m going now.

My vision was sailing off into a blue sky, best girl at my side, maybe a daughter or three, some wine, some song to serenade dolphins, stars, and clear water. And of course a quiet cove, perhaps Emerald Cove. A dream of course.

None of the usual suspects wanted to go. Most either get queasy or bored after three hours or so. Guess I shouldn’t have told them a few weeks ago, there was a perfect wind right on the nose, that after six hours I had turned back after having made almost half way. A night run to familiar waters is fun; never been to Emerald Cove. A reef and a rock, unlighted? I’ll pass.

So, me, myself, and I would just have to have an adventure on our own. I was picked to get grub for the weekend. Hmmmm, grapes, ginger cookies, raisin bread, a jar of peanut butter and of jam. Gourmet dinning at its best. A bit of ice as a luxury.

The plan, out on Saturday, over night at Emerald, early and north west until Santa Barbara Rock in sight, then a broad reach home. 20 hours of easy sail. Just balance sail, tie tiller, and relax. Might bring something to constructively do or read or just watch dolphins. An easy life.

Ring, ring. Hi, hon. Oh, newspaper just scared her: hurricane away south sending 20 foot waves. Hon, they’re talking sensationalism, at most it will be at the Wedge, the surfing spot, not at sea. Who ya going to believe NOAA or guys hawking papers?

Had breakfast with the gang. Set her up for solo: jack lines run, tethers at ready, PFD on. Shoved off 1005 hours. Expected to motor sail to Palos Verdes point; the PV10 red flashing 4 sec buoy is a hour away. That plan fell through when a more northerly than usual light wind arrived 2 minutes after leaving the harbor. With this wind she’d easily round the buoy. So trimmed for a close reach.

Almost made it in one tack. This was a good omen. Emerald was bearing 180 degree magnetic. Afternoon wind will be good for a fast passage. Just sit back munch some grapes and enjoy.

For once the plan was working. Course 180. She’s making six plus knots. With the current, the VMG (velocity made good) was near 7.5 knots. Building waves helped. As good as it gets. Now where is that ginger ale.

Dolphins! Small pod of 50. No time to play. It’s been that way for a few years. It must be a hard life these days.

Hours go by wind still ticking up along with waves. 18 knots, gusting more, but QT is behaving like a lady. Hardly a splash. Just eating those nautical miles. Maybe I’ll munch a few cashews.

Odd, we’re near Catalina’s lee, wind should be easing. Crew opts to shorten sail. First the jib, then one main reef. Easy.

Emerald’s entrance is a bit south of me. It will be an easy run, then a turn to starboard around that menacing looking rocky thing with, as the book says, “dangerous reef to the north”. Engine on. Purrs nicely. Hmmm, still a lot of wind in there. Drop main, neatly.

Come to think of it I’ve never picked up a mooring solo. Not that one, its fouled with kelp. That one behind that now nice looking rock seems a bit more sheltered. Sidle up to it. Miss. Circle a bit more up wind. Walk to bow grab the flag. Quickly pull the mooring line over the bow cleat. Whew. A bit of an effort. Oops, wrong side. Guess I’m the show today. Correcting was a far greater effort. Next pull the stern line.

I should have taken the hint. The fore-aft moorings were not for this breeze. Taking a clue from storm anchors I attached a rolling hitch to the line and winched it in. Not much of a roll. Sweet.

Then comes the collector. He motors up and says that will be $60; however, he continues, those over there are only $39. Check out time is 0800. Crew debated, myself lost. So we moved her to the mooring. Just a couple of boat lengths from shore.

I should have taken the second hint. When the collector offers to pull your stern over so you can cleat stern mooring you are in for a rocky-rolly night. This second mooring was tiring. I sat down to wait for the sunset nursing a brewski and doing sailor chores. Didn’t feel like eating, but that chocolate looked good and that bunk looked mighty inviting.

Laid down. Interesting the way the shore is flying back and forth. Oh, its me rolling. Guess those old guys were right about lee cloths. Lets check whats going on. All is well just rolling more than desired. Dark out there with a full full moon. Bright. Glad Jessi put up portlight curtains. Its a bloody spot light of a moon.

While in the galley, a mis-step and a sneaky wave, knocked the galley off its hinges. Again. With my fat ass. Again. It can wait til tomorrow. Check the weather station.

Chance of rain tomorrow late afternoon, maybe thundershowers due to the dying hurricane. Scratch the fetching Santa Barbara Rock plan. Head home first thing.

Still can’t sleep. Maybe a cup or two of strong spirit will help. And a cookie or two. Standing on the cabin stairs with binoculars watching stars, moon craters, neighbors, I had the sudden urge to feed fish. Strange. No warning. Bucket of water cleaned things up nicely. Strange. Feel perfect. I’ve never been seasick am I loosing my mojo?

Back to the bunk. Apparently whiskey can put you asleep.

Morning still tends to come early. Feeling good about this trip. Lie there listening to water against hull, waves against beach. Still a-rocking. Really wished to have my lassie with me. Life is good. Morning beautiful Sky looks like its forming up the way NOAA predicted.

Decide to get underway then worry about food and such, plenty of time while sailing. Catch the tide so to speak.

Engine on. Drop stern mooring line. Raise sail. QT behaves nicely. Drop bow mooring loop. Power up to get to sea. 0700 and its already blowing 15 knots. NOAA failed to mention that. In fact 5 to 10 knots was predicted. Should be a fast ride back. Course is 0 degrees. Due north.

Oh-oh, need to feed fish again. Aren’t I supposed to feel nauseous? Is that a fever?

Course set, sails set, waves 5 or 6 feet, she’s making not quite 6 VMG. Not bad considering the current is contrary.

Dolphins! Might be the same family. No play time.

Feeling noticeably poorly. Weak and an rather unfocused. Getting good at fish feeding. Making good time. Should be at PV10 by 11:15, so in slip by noon 30. Should be.

Wind easing noticeably. Its getting hot. I’m listless. Making under 3 knots and still no relief from the waves. Pouring water on me. Ah, engine. Starts. Ten minutes later, no engine. Probably air bubbles due to the rough sea. Disappointing. I don’t feel strong enough to venture below.

1230 and still hanging around PV10. Just can’t catch wind. Barely bucking the current. I’m too hot so alter between drinking water and pouring it over me. Thirsty. I admit I’m sick.

Debra is very concerned. Cell runs down. With effort am able to plug it but it falls out of reach. Every few minutes the cell rings. She must be very worried. Sorry Debra, it’s safer to stay on deck.

Almost to harbor. No engine. Not a problem. Have done this before. Furl jib, whew, an effort. Drop main, tie it messily. What about those pesky paddlers? Ah, call harbor patrol, ask for assistance. Good plan. No answer on 9. Maybe handheld broken.
The paddlers are out in force. By luck thread the needle through them. A menace to navigation. I’m 13,000 pounds with no brakes, they’re 250 if wet and can’t do the math. All over the place like cockroaches but you’re not allowed to squish them – the paper work would be horrendous. At least I’ve still a sense of humor.

Main down, jib out half way. Slow sail past harbor patrol. Looks like all their ready boats are out. Down my channel. Shout for assistance; just not up to the docking effort. Port Royale is on the ball. Two lend a hand and she’s docked perfectly. They say something about the Coast Guard calling. I’m only interested in laying down. Which I do.

I wake a couple hours later. The cell ringing, its Debra, relieved that I’m alive. She had called Coast Guard who called Port Royale just at the time I came in sight. Working slowly I made QT ready for the slip. It took a while. 1800 before I’m home.

All in all it was a great trip, an adventure. Weather not wild but significant for here. There really are stars. Learned a bit, always a good thing. Just wished for company to share the good memories with. The feeding incidents turn out to be an ailment that was going around at work. Not mal-de-mar, a relief. And yes, it rained hard, but not until late that night. Civilized. Oh, the P&J was never touched.