At Sea

So today was an early call, up at 5:30, left at 6:15 and arrived at pier 39 at 7:30, parked in $8.00 an hour parking so car would not get towed and we left for the open ocean at 8 am.  The trip out was rough and a heavy marine layer kept us very cool for the first couple hours.  Then the sun came through and the day turned beautiful.  I only had a piece of dry toast before the trip and took a pill for possible sea sickness.  Everything worked out fine for Jason and me, however it was not so good for a girl from Serbia who spend the entire day at the rail, she and her friend finally fell asleep under a blanket in the back of the boat and survived the day.  I felt so sorry for them and of course they had no idea of what to expect, as they explained it, there is no ocean in Serbia so they were poorly prepared.

We managed to see fleeting glimpses of a few whales and at the rock formations that make up the destination, Farallon Islands.  A bird was reported to have been spotted yesterday that is never in this part of the hemisphere but we did not see it today.  The Islands have two little houses that look out to the sea and some other outbuildings.  It is a sanctuary so only 8 people are allowed there at any one time and they must be there for a reason, research, reporting etc.  Once we stopped circling the island our captain said we were 35.7 miles from San Francisco.

Our trip home was fast and very calm.  When  boat heads into the wind the ride is always rough and when you turn around and run with the wind the ride over the same waves becomes very smooth and easy.  Once we passed under the Golden Gate Bridge we entered the waters where just a little while before had been the site of the America's Cup Race which today went our way on both races.  While people were no longer in the red seats set up for viewing the race the streets were jammed with cars as I left.

Then I headed to Redwood City but with the 49erns just letting out I gave up on 101, crossed the bay bridge to Oakland, went down the 880 freeway to the San Mateo Bridge, crossed over to Redwood City, shot my photos and then headed home.

It was an incredibly enjoyable day with Jason, what a great guy, I'm so fortunate to have the kids I have!

And Thanks for making it happen Jo.  I appreciate it very much and I know Jason did as well.

Love

tim