Sea Day 11 Newport Beach to Oceanside, CA

Sea Day 11 Newport Beach to Oceanside, CA

Our main reason for stopping in Newport Beach was so we could go to this amazing surplus store that is mostly sailing. We had a list for this place called Minney’s Yacht Surplus. We called for a Lyft ride from the marina to the store. We then spent over 2 hours looking at all sorts of gadgets, gizmos and odds and ends that could be very useful. Specifically blocks, lines (as in rope), spinnakers, and on and on. We were on a timeline as check out was 1200. We decided after the incredibly rolling night that we did not want to stay there any longer and if we could get out by noon we could make the 36 miles to Oceanside leaving us with another 30 or so miles right into San Diego.

We had quite the cache from Minney’s! Line and more line, line for some friends in SD, a spinnaker, blocks for the spinnaker, track slides and snatch blocks all for pennies on the dollar. It was a great day and we had great service there. We Lyfted back to the marina, and carefully got all our booty aboard (as in treasure, keep it PG). Our driver Wail was a real treat. He moved here from Egypt 4 years ago. I asked him, "How is your Saturday going?" He replied quickly with, "Every day is a great day!" Tim replied, "well that is a great attitude." He then said, "God saved my life." So we had a great talk, he escaped Egypt in 2012 when the Muslim Brotherhood took over and they were killing Christians. Wail and his wife and 4 children applied for a Visa and won the lottery. As soon as he arrived he started working to take care of his family. He is so happy to be here, every day is a gift. We need to live with the same gratefulness. We had already prepped to leave so we fired up the engine and pulled out at 1215. 

We had the sails up for quite a while but there really wasn’t that much wind. Tim dreamed of bringing out the new spinnaker, but I suggested that we set up for it in the morning and then use it on our way to SD. 

Charlie’s Charts said there could be bar conditions getting into Oceanside so we radioed ahead to get a status. The harbor patrol indicated that there were breaking waves in the entrance to the harbor, but if we took our time and watched the sets, we could make a good entrance. So we're going to surf our way in? Indeed the bar was a small issue, we just needed to be careful and time the surges pictures below show a bit of what we found breaking waves on either side of us. We found the transient moorage and checked in. It’s quite full tonight. The noisiest part of it all is the sea lions! They are louder than the people on each side of us, even their music.

We called ahead to Marina Cortez in San Diego where we have hoped we would get to moor our boat. We spent 2 months there this summer and we know people there. Sure enough! Our friends Steve and Janny already talked the Marina office and they have moorage for us there! I’m so excited! I told Tim we should leave early in the morning and get in early! 

I’m tired tonight, Tim and I both think that it was our shopping excursion where there was just so much to look at and see and thoughts to think, that we are worn out from that. It's been very sunny and hot and that makes me tired too. Tim and I both agree that we have not been drinking enough water these past couple of days. We must do better! Hydration is important!