Second Wind Voyage: San Diego

We had a delicious sail as we watched Catalina recede into the distance, then floated with the aid of a generous current directly toward our destination when the wind died. We arrived in San Diego at 9:00 a.m. on October 17. The first leg was complete!

San Diego lived up to our highest expectations. We appreciated the balmy weather, pleasant anchorages, and access to anything a boater could need. Many cruisers use San Diego as a staging ground/jumpoff point for Mexico, and it was fun to be part of that shared planning and excitement. The staff at Downwind Marine was particularly helpful, though I can say we patronized a large number of marine suppliers and technicians as part of our final preparations. We left San Diego with a functioning watermaker, autopilot and communications system--daunting projects successfully completed--as well as a new mainsail & stern anchor and a long list of business items accomplished.

This area is a sailing mecca, and we were treated to the sights of everything from young children getting sailing instruction (Suzuki sailing?) to Dennis Connor's fabled Stars and Stripes. Even better was time spent with family and friends. Bill and Sherril Wood, Allen and Ariana Lemle, and Art's Phoenix relatives all came to visit. It meant a great deal that they traveled to San Diego to see us!

We got to see my family as well, but it was under much different circumstances. My mother had been battling cancer since last summer, and she passed away on October 26. I was already scheduled to go to Wichita to see her; Art came to Kansas for the memorial services, and I extended my stay so I could be with my father for a longer time. Mexico could wait.