Now this is more like it. We are
at anchor in Pelican Bay which The Writers describe as one of
the most popular anchorage's in the Islands. The smell of Sunday
morning coffee and pancakes, and a piano concerto by Beethoven
fill cabin. Outside the morning sun works to burn off the marine
layer of fog. The air is calm. High Drama
sways gently in a soothing swell. The steep banks of the anchorage,
only about 30 yards away, rise about 100 feet up, and then to
the top of Mount Pichaco Diablo, 2400 feet up. We conclude that
this anchorage in calm conditions is what
we imagined.
We are greeted
by George aboard Bagus!, who
has been here since Wednesday, and Ted aboard Invictus.
George helps us anchor by pointing out where the wind will come
from later in the day when it pipes up, as it always does here
in the afternoon. We are anchored on the south side of the Santa
Barbara Channel, at the edge of what the locals call the Windy
Lane. The northwest wind whips around Point Conception about 75
miles west of Santa Barbara at Point Conception. Since
the mainland coast runs almost due east the wind speed increases
because of venturi effect of the shore. It generally blows 10
to 15 knots higher in the Windy Lane than near the mainland.
George and Ted
each sail alone on their respective boats. They just met earlier
in the day and we decide to have happy hour together. George salvaged
his boat from a broken marriage. He may head to Mexico in the
fall. Ted, age 72, has been retired from teaching high school
for 10 years and living on his modest craft for the last several
years. He has just returned from San Francisco. He explained that
San Francisco is about the northern limit a solo sailor can go
and still find coves or marinas to tuck into for rest. Ensenada,
Mexico touches the southern limit.
The weather
forecasters predict gale conditions (winds above 34 knots) in
our area for the next two days. The two gentlemen decide to leave
the next morning. We decide to explore ashore, if the inflatable
dingy will hold air.
