Anticipation

Eureka, California, USA

After several days of very high seas, we may have a short break tomorrow.  With any luck, the entrance bar will be passable and we will be on our way in the morning.

Last week's storm brought on a large ocean swell, effectively closing the entrance bars all along the northern California coast and northward.  Unlike Oregon and Washington states, California cannot put restrictions on their bars; instead, the coast guard just gives a general warning as part of the bar report.  In our case, here in Humboldt bay, the big swells over the last few days peaked yesterday and this morning, with reported 18 to 20 foot breaking seas at the entrance - all vessels stupid enough to attempt the bar must first contact the coast guard to let them know the plan.

Our basic plan, and that of every other boat we can see here in the bay, is to stay put until the conditions improve.  Sometimes it is difficult to believe that the conditions out there can actually be that bad since where we are, inside Humboldt bay, the water is completely flat and the last couple of days the weather has been relatively warm and sunny (only rains at night).  I guess that is why you are supposed to call the coast guard before you venture out into the open ocean.

Tomorrow, the forecast is for much improved conditions.  The swell should have subsided considerably and the winds, for at least 12 hours or so, will be from the NW again.  If this holds true, we intend to make a break for it.  We have to go about 190 miles on this next passage, part of which is rounding the dreaded Cape Mendocino, about 30 miles south of us right now.  Of course, the mild weather will not likely hold for more than a day, so we anticipate that we will have to contend with some strong south winds by nightfall.  We have decided we prefer facing head winds rather than large seas.  Time will tell if we are right about this.

One cool thing here on Woodley island is that this is where the local NOAA weather office is situated and they are very welcoming to stranded sailors looking for some reassurance.  We wandered in and were able to see these guys busy creating the weather.  Apparently it entails creating and studying a mind-boggling variety of graphics, showing wind, waves, pressure, etc.  I don't think I have ever seen so many large flat-screen monitors in use in any one office; every person has at least 5 or 6 surrounding him.  We put in our order for some light seas and NW winds and are now awaiting the results.

Today, we again crossed the scary highway bridge to go into town to do some provisioning.  That done, we are just monitoring the coast guard reports, waiting for that all-important all-clear over the bar.  With any luck, our next post will be from Bodega Bay, probably about 2 days away.

NOTE: As I am writing this, about 3 PM on Tuesday afternoon, the current bar report is still saying 14 to 16 foot with occasional 18 foot "rolling" waves on the bar entrance.  Not really what we are looking for.  If we cannot get out of here tomorrow morning, the next weather window could be a week or more away.

{GMST}40|48.4302|N|124|9.7438|W|Eureka, California|Eureka, California{GEND}