We left San Simeon this morning and sailed 6 hours to our next stop, Morro Bay located in the Sequoia National Park. Morro Bay is a marine protected area so there are many species of sealife and birds. Morro Rock, in the background of this photo, is a historical landmark that towers 576 ft. It is the last of a line of long-extinct volcanoes formed about 23 million years ago. The waterfront town is a popular vacation destination full of hotels, restaurants, boat tours, surf shops, nice beaches and sand dunes. There is a state park at the end of town with several campsites and a 2.5 mile boardwalk over an estuary.
Since the entrance to the harbor has a hazardous bar that we had to cross, and its is closed about 40 days a year because of high swells and hazardous conditions, Kevin played it safe and contacted the Coast Guard for current conditions. The Coast Guard reported it was safe to cross the bar today but if we found ourselves in trouble or needed an escrort they were there to help.
Sailboats have to closely watch their depth as they wind around the buoys marking the channel in the harbor. It is a busy place right now with all the boats heading South so we are spending the night at a public dock in the center of town which is designated for day-use only but the park is making an exception for tonight. We are learning some harbors along the coast are considered “safe harbors” which means they will not turn anyone away. If they have to, they will raft boats together.
On our journey today I could see commotion on the water in the distance. First we saw big tuna jumping, whales spouting, diving birds, and as we got closer there was a herd of sea lions being chased by something . . . most likely sharks. Everyday we see something spectacular out in the ocean. Tomorrow we will be moving down the coast about 20 miles to San Luis Obispo. We may be staying there for a few days while we wait for a good weather window to sail around Point of Conception, also referred to as the “Cape Horn of the Pacific”.
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