Posted on by Alex

Two off the list, one to go

Coos Bay was our last stop on Oregon’s coast. As I write this, we are already floating on California waters. With two states on our wake, we have now California’s long stretch of coast to cover.

The weather has been playing its cards, and celebrated the onset of Autumn on Tuesday by throwing a set of two cold fronts to drench the Pacific Northwest. As NOAA put it on their Weather Outlook: “THE FIRST BIG SURF OF THE SEASON WILL ARRIVE ON AREA BEACHES TODAY”. In fact, I have been checking real time data from weather buoys out there, and the swell is ranging (or should I say “raging”) between a respectable 15ft and a disturbing 20ft in some areas. Needless to say, I already advised the marina’s office that we will be extending our stay 🙂

So, here we are tucked in Pesto’s cabin on a cold and rainy day in Crescent City’s harbor district marina, waiting for a new weather window to continue our march south.

I thought I would use the time to post a photographic update on our days in Coos Bay, and the passage to here.

In Coos Bay, we stopped at the Charleston Marina, conveniently located right after the mouth of the bay’s entrance.

As convenient as it is, the marina seems to have specialized – i don’t know if by chance or by choice – in providing services for the fishing fleet. In fact, the harbor is split in two basins: a large one for the fishing boats, and a smaller one for the cruising craft. The transient dock, which is where visiting boats tie to, is at the entrance of the fishing boats’ basin. It also serves as a public pontoon which people can use to fish for crabs. And this pontoon appears to have a sweet spot where the crab fishing is most productive. That’s where we tied Pesto, out of ignorance and options (it was the only spot available when we arrived).

Don’t get me wrong. Coos Bay is a convenient location for boats going up and down the coast. The Charleston Marina is inside a safe, well protected man-made harbor located right at the entrance of the bay. It has a wealth of servicing facilities for work boats. But it is far away from the city, and there is no options nearby to cater to cruising boats – so, essentially we stayed at the docks, resting from a rough passage and waiting for the upcoming weather window. Had it not been for our time with the Adagio’s crew, it would have been a “meh” stop. But it wasn’t.

Our spot at the transient dock. Visiting boats stop at its right. The ones to the left are long time users. Note Adagio just in from of Pesto.
Our spot at the transient dock. Visiting boats stop at its right. The ones to the left are long time users. Note Adagio just in from of Pesto.
We stopped at a prime crabbing spot at the dock. That granted us company all throughout our stay. At least I learned a thing or two about crabbing - no crabs though.
We stopped at a prime crabbing spot at the dock. That granted us company all throughout our stay. At least I learned a thing or two about crabbing – no crabs though.
Our backyard view at the Charleston Marina ...
Our backyard view at the Charleston Marina …
... that's one of Pesto's cool features - it is always changing !
… and the Marina’s entrance, just a few yards away from where we wereThe fishing fleet at the marina ...

The fishing fleet at the marina …

Boy, I wouldn't want to be a fish on this place (well, in fact, I wouldn't want to be a fish AT ALL)
Boy, I wouldn’t want to be a fish in this place (well, in fact, I wouldn’t want to be a fish AT ALL)
Pacific Rose was just across the dock from us - one of the largest boats in the marina
Pacific Rose was just across the dock from us – one of the largest boats in the marina

 

The Adagio crew uploaded an interesting post about the Marina on their blog, including a set of cool pictures – which you can check here.

There were a couple of rainy days, which we used to push forward on indoor activities.

Rainy day outside, homeschool inside, a motivated cook at the cafeteria
Rainy day outside, homeschool inside, a motivated cook at the cafeteria
Raquel writing her fist blog post
Raquel writing her fist blog post (check “A Busy Day” on the index)
And Paulo got his prolific inspiration for the Boat House Comix series
And Paulo got his prolific inspiration for the “Boat House Comix” series
They also did a lot of reding
They also did a lot of reading
Adriana took time to work as well
Adriana took time to work
And i attacked a project that I had been procrastinating a it - to install the DC Television (it allows us to watch TV with a low power consumption)
And I attacked a project that I had been procrastinating a bit – to install the DC Television (it allows us to watch TV with a low power consumption)
This project drew the kids attention, and in no time I had two pairs of keen helping hands to put to good use
This project drew the kids attention, and in no time I had two pairs of keen helping hands to put to good use. Here, Paulo helps me saw the wooden bench to attach the TV to.

 

Then it came the time to leave toward Crescent City. A weather window expected for Friday came in early, and we departed one hour after Adagio, at 5p.m. on Thursday for our first full overnight passage.

The swell smashing on the breakwater, as we were exiting the bar
The swell smashing on the breakwater, as we were exiting the bar
Cape Arago, seen on a sunny and calm afternoon, takes on a much less menacing personality than a few days ago on our way in
Cape Arago, seen on a sunny and calm afternoon, takes on a much less menacing personality than a few days ago on our way in
A couple hours after we left, the sun had a small surprise in store
A couple hours after we left, the sun had a small surprise in store
Adriana took a prime spot to watch the natural spectacle in its full glory
Adriana took a prime spot to watch the natural spectacle in its full glory
It was so beautiful in fact that even Paulo came out to watch it. He usually stays inside during passages.
It was so beautiful in fact that even Paulo came out to watch it. He usually stays inside during passages.
The imagery got more and more dramatic as the sun sank in the horizon
The imagery got more and more dramatic as the sun sank in the horizon
And soon we were enveloped in the dark of the night. But we were not alone. Fishing vessels were all around us, Adagio a few miles ahead with its reassuring presence on the chartplotter screen, and a billion stars on the sky
And soon we were enveloped in the dark of the night. But we were not alone. Fishing vessels were all around us, Adagio a few miles ahead with its reassuring presence on the chartplotter screen, and a billion stars on the sky
The next day, we reached the California coast just as the sun broke behind the mountains. A light mist started to dissipate, unveiling the rockery near shore
The next day, we reached the California coast just as the sun broke behind the mountains. A light mist started to dissipate, unveiling the rockery near shore
Steamboat Rock, just off the entrance to Crescent City's harbor
Steamboat Rock, just off the entrance to Crescent City’s harbor

 

So, all in all, another important part of our journey.

We are having a great time in Crescent City, and from our next passage the ocean waters should start to get slightly warmer.

We are looking forward to it! Stay tuned.

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