Slog 2
07/07/15

We were relieved by the second watch at 02:00am as we were getting closer to the Los Angeles Harbor, which usually is good for a big of excitement. This time proved no different as Shorty and Mark had to first change course, then slow down, and then finally reverse course to avoid a pilot boat towing a barge. This is all happening in dark and bumpy conditions where it is difficult to judge distances and speeds of other vessels. I awoke at 05:00am and sent Shorty and Mark to bed. The morning grew lighter as we motor sailed past Palos Verdes Peninsula. It is hard to believe that I will be tied up at the dock in my old spot this afternoon. This morning's cloudy skies and glassy seas remind me of the morning many years ago when I brought our previous boat, Wild Wind, home from Long Beach to Channel Islands Marina along this same course.

I texted my sister Gwen to tell her we were passing in front of her house in Malibu, and she texted back that she saw us. I decided to sprinkle the remaining ashes of my mother and my sister Pattie just off the coast in front of the Leo Carrillo campground, a site of many happy family outings. Within a minute of the ashes being in the water a whale surfaced between Odyssey and Leo Carrillo, a sure sign that mom and Pattie approve if there ever was one. We continued to motor sail under cloudy skies with smooth, glassy seas. We were treated to another amazing dolphin show as we approached Port Hueneme, just shy of our destination. We pulled into Channel Islands Harbor at about 1:00pm to little fanfare, other than our own whooping and hollering. We were safely tied up at the dock with smiles all around.

What an amazing trip, and what an amazing crew. Billie, Shorty and Mark, it was an absolute pleasure to share such a small space with you over the last two weeks. Thanks to all of you kind souls who take the time to read this drivel.

Our final stats were as follows:

The Baja Bash 2015, sailing vessel Odyssey
Total days: 12
Total hours: 291
Total hours underway: 200.25
Total miles covered: 1098
Engine hours: 189.9

Cheers, Bill