Crescent City

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Up before dawn with the fishermen we leave the dock at 6 A.M.  It takes 1/2 hour to navigate back out to the ocean.  At low tide the channel is clearly marked by land and people clamming on both sides.  The shore is dotted with RV parks.  Boats are lined up at the ramps waiting to get in the water.  Out in the ocean there is a mild south wind, a few ripples on the water, and swell at 5-10 seconds.  Traveling at about 3 miles off shore, the sky is overcast, but the visibility is good.  We start our watch schedule, 3 on 3 off, for the approximate 36 hour journey.  At 18:00 it is still calm seas, flat enough to water ski.  The sun is out as we approach evening.  Today we've seen two species of whale, one ship, one sailboat, one large motor yacht, and our local dredge about ten miles out.  The motor yacht, Top Dog, called us on the radio for an AIS check.  It's good to know our radio and AIS are transmitting fine. 

There was a light rain overnight, with calm seas, patchy fog, and few contacts.  We are having a few more whale sightings, some a little too close.  About 33 hours after leaving Bodega Bay, we arrive Crescent City.  Topping off the fuel tank is interesting.  We wait our turn.  Luckily there is little wind or current to move us around.  We only have the fog to worry about, which is encroaching upon the marina.  The fueling station is on a pier.  We snuggle our fenders up to the row of tires and hand off the lines as the cleats are impossible to reach.  After fueling we wind our way through the marina.  Brad eases us backwards into the slip.  The pilings are sturdy, the docks stable concrete, the cleats ample, and the depth consistent.  The facility in Crescent City is being rebuilt after the Tsunami.  It looks great so far.  Looking forward to clean bathrooms and a local laundry not yet completed.  Unfortunately the fish cleaning station is in the same building. 

The first evening we walk to the Chart House for dinner.  It is very busy, efficient, and has good food.  The lights around the marina and the boats with their working lights on, make the night as bright as day.  We have a very good nights sleep.  The next day we walk about 5 miles out to the lighthouse and down the breakwater.  We have a nice early dinner on the walk back to the boat.  On our third day, we walk 3/4 miles into town to use the laundry matt.