Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo

Sunday September 25, 2005 LOCATION:Point Conception, Cojo Bay GOOGLE EARTH COORDINATES: 34 32.885N,120 36.137W
Morro Bay was a great little harbor to stay in. We came in under overcast skies at sunrise again. Originally we picked up a mooring until we realized there was a small dock that was just as long as we were that we could tie up to for less money. It was like our own private little island for a while. We settled in quickly and head for the beach. The 3 boys donned wet suits and were off to surf and boogie board. It is an impressive site to play under the shadow of the 581 foot tall Morro Rock. Even more impressive were the pod of dolphins that were playing in the waves with them. They continued to breach and flip like a circus show. The dolphins would ride inside the swell and shoot out the back side of a breaking wave within feet of Bruce. We filled our next two days with school work, laundry and chores and a very special purchase. Bruce found a perfect starter surf board at just the right price for the boys. With great pride the two of them carried their new toy through down town Morro Bay and back to the boat.
We took a quick day hop in the boat and we rounded the corner to anchor in San Luis Obispo Bay. Avila Beach is located near an old UNOCAL Pier. I believe it was an oil pipeline of sorts. The story as I understand it is that the soil became contaminated by them and oil would bubble up on the beach. They were ordered to replace the beach and help rebuild the town. They removed 7,000 truck loads of sand! The beach has been rebuilt and it's beautiful. The remaining shops were sustained during the process by Unocal and the town looks like it is trying to grow again. On Friday night when we arrived, they were having a street fair of sorts with live music, food booths and a small farmers market from nearby growers and the local San Luis Obispo Agriculture Dept. We purchased some delicious peaches from a farm in Reedly and ordered some pizza from the Custom House restaurant. In it's day, the building was the actual customs department. Now it is a beautiful restaurant run by a great guy by the name of Chito Moya. He learned of our adventure, befriended us and invited us back for breakfast the next day to talk. He gave us some great ideas for places to visit inland Mexico. It was so fun to sit and learn more about the area and the history behind it. His hospitality and friendship were wonderful. Thanks Chito! Saturday day, we had the great opportunity to visit with one of my childhood friends and his family. They live in Rotarua, New Zealand now but happened to be stateside at the time and right in San Luis Obispo so Scott, Jebraun and their 3 kids Terah, Caleb and Owen Clifford all visited us on the boat for lunch and enjoyed a little swinging in the bosun's chair. (the boy's favorite pastime on the boat) We hope to hook back up with them in a little over a year back in New Zealand.
This morning we pulled up anchor and are beginning to make our way around Point Conception. It is a prominent point on the central coast line and has a reputation for being the "Cape Horn of the Pacific". It can have really rough seas and strong winds by old stories, but from all my recent reading more people have experienced quite the opposite. Our weather and sea forecast look good for the day so we're on our way. En route this morning we were visited by a little bird. He or she we think looked quite tired and maybe a little lost. She hopped around, fluffed herself for a good dry out of the morning fog and wind. We took all our photos as she had some bread and sat on Bruce's arm. Then we grabbed our audubon books and our best guess is that she is possibly a sparrow. A second one came around and tried to entice her back to shore for a bit. She rested a bit longer and was on her way. Quite a treat for us.
The wind has come up a bit now out of the north and we are able to shut the motor down and sail a bit at 5-6 knots. Perfect. Motoring can be critical to recharge the batteries if there is not enough sun or wind for the solar panels and wind generator to do the job. It is tough for them to keep up some days in the fog or calm winds but they do a great job. The batteries help to run the refrigerator, freezer, computer and other electrical functions on the boat. It is always about keeping a balance between how much energy are we using, how much fuel are we using and how can we conserve or utilize them all the most efficiently. Having said all that, it is always nice to shut it all down and glide with the wind.
Off in the distance we are able to start to see the outlines of a large oil derrick or platform. In the distant fog they look like something right out of Star Wars. It is amazing to imagine what power those hurricanes in the Gulf must have to damage to structures likes these.
Tonight we will likely find refuge in Cojo Anchorage just south of Point Conception. It can be windy there but large kelp beds slow down the swells and therefore the rolling. The swells can be fun to ride in the day but make it difficult for a real great night of sleep. We shall find out. Above are the coordinates where we are. Tomorrow we will finish the length to Santa Barbara and explore for a few days.
until then,
aloha lisa and the boys