Well, maybe not out of Isla San Francisco. It was actually calm on my departure from the anchorage and for the first twenty minutes or so. I could see a windline with some white frothy waves coming. Blerg. I adjusted course to point to San Evaristo which was just nine miles north should the conditions be unmanageable. I drove past the windline and quickly found myself in 25 knots of wind from my port side and I reefed the jib. It was a bash with salt spray jumping over the front windows but thankfully not much bridgedeck slamming. Getting closer to the Baja shore reduced the fetch and the size of the waves. By reaching San Evaristo it was much calmer and I decided to press on. The wind would come and go with the valleys, staying below 20 knots and then dropping to 3 or 4 knots where the mountains provided a break. I handful of boats passed going south but I was the only foolhardy one pressing north. I kept close to the Baja shore to keep the waves down and that was a solid plan, resulting in just small chop and a mostly comfortable ride.
The anchor was set in Timbabiche at 2:45pm and it was time to get all of that salt washed off the boat. I was tired from the lack of sleep last night, but better to suck it up and not let rust form. A good wash and I was ready for a passage beer – a tall boy Corona. It tasted good and then I crashed for an hour nap. Whew, I needed that.
Jack, had left supplies for pizza when he headed home in December, so Friday night pizza was on the menu! It turned out great with the only issue being an empty propane tank (I run an all electric galley except for the oven and grill). I had a spare, so all was good but note to self, the gas shutoff valve will now be closed except when cooking with gas. Belly full, movie I started last night complete, and I was ready for a long night’s sleep. The wind picked up again (as forecast) but with the protection of being close to the windward shore, it was a non-event. What a change from 24 hours ago!
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