Like the previous two legs, Morro Bay to Santa Barbara was an overnight.
It started out nice and pleasant, with enough wind to sail for a while at the start. There were scattered showers, but light and often avoidable. The lightning came rather later, luckily many miles away on shore.
Unfortunately, as the journey continued, Suzana became reacquainted with her tendency to sea sickness, necessitating an extended nap for recovery and recuperation. But Harry was quite happy on the helm for the interim.
Sometime in the night, a big blob appeared on the radar, approximately the same place where some very bright lights had shown up. Too big for a fishing boat. Too static for a UFO. Eventually, Harry figured out to zoom in on the chart for more details, and realized it was an oil platform. Huge and science fictiony.
Suzana recovered enough to take the wheel and let Harry sleep for a few hours. Followed by another, shorter shift, while Suzana napped again and we approached Santa Barbara.
Just as we started into the Santa Barbara Harbor channel, a big rain started up, drenching us both. Thank god for foul weather gear. But we managed the approach, getting a slip assignment, and docking, finally safe and dry in Santa Barbara.
A bit after securing the boat, we noticed that just across the dock was another (somewhat smaller) Island Packet sailboat. And after a night’s sleep, that Island Packet was joined by yet another one in the adjacent slip. We have yet to see or talk to the owners of either one, but we’re keeping out eyes open.
