As you've no doubt gathered from others, the start was a casual romp out into some pretty light stuff. Our light-air tacking angles forced us to choose between a course of around 320 (Alaska) or 200 (Mexico). We took a loop up and over the Farallons, passing Southwest Farallon Island within a quarter mile. The cries of the birds and barks of the sea lions made for a magical moment, alloyed only by the eye kept on the radar, charts, and rocks so as not to end the trip before it began.

Off we went on a Southward course, like birds, too stupid to know that NORTH is the summer direction.

Well, stupid birds or not, south is seeming to work for us. Wind has picked up to a very civilized 10-15 knots in pretty flat (lumpy for the Bay, flat for the ocean) seas. Our food has been great. Chicken, lasagne, zucchini bread this am for brekkies. I am going to hide the Peet's french roast. These guys don't appreciate it.

We have had a great run today and hope to make up our slip in standings. On the other hand, we kicked the bejesus out of Acacia and passed another boat in the afternoon. Only we learned later that Acacia spent three hours freeing herself from a crab pot and the boat we passed was a singlehander (or extremely unpopular skipper) with his main down doing repairs.

Still, we are WAYYY faster than flotsam.






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