We emerge from the Pacific High with the boat more days than not under motor or motor-sail looking for the wind that will bring us to the coast and Landfall in San Diego. The early rough and wet days of the voyage left us without the daily weather updates and forecasts (comms equipment failure) that should have made the transition to near coast waters and wind simpler to predict as we anticipate the synoptic weather conditions that should carry us home. 

We also emerge from the High more rested, boat, clothes and crew dried out. The boat and crew now anticipate with each hour and mile the transition to strong winds and seas that should take us to the coast as we continue to make slow progress for the last 500 miles of the crossing.

With 2,000 miles to stern, and many more days at sea than planned, all resources are thin. Beginning with diesel and extending to the propane for stoves, vegetables, meet, cheese and milk. Most of the crew, other than myself, abandoned coffee as we set sail to avoid adding stomach acid to the rough seas and the constant motion of the boat. I am now rationed on my propane use for that critical beverage. Good news is captain and crew introduce me to Cold Brew coffee and I am now preparing my blend a day in advance to allow the coffee to steep in the fridge for 24 hours. Meals are a mix of whatever is available, mostly canned or dehydrated. What we do seem to have is a large supply of dehydrated chicken stew that no one seems willing to touch. 

All of these concerns quickly fade for each of us as we suddenly find the wind we have been anticipating and as both wind and sea build we are now moving briskly to the coast. These are the Sailing conditions we all look for with the wind and sea slightly behind the beam and the boat making 8 to 10 knots consistently. We are closing the distance to the coast rapidly now and despite great sailing, the first sight of land and then the first step off the boat is on everyone’s mind.

No Pacific crossing is simple or without challenge and the opportunity to learn and our final days makes this clear as the sailing conditions seem to vary by the hour. The closer we get to the coast and home the lighter the winds and slower our space. The last 200 miles are nearly windless and we begin to complete the passage under motor. With barely the fuel to get us in, we are making the most of our sails whenever we can and check fuel levels constantly. As the hours progress it is clear we need an alternative plan and elect to shift course to make landfall on Catalina Island and a fuel dock to ensure our final 75 miles to San Diego.

Dolphins and gulls appear on the bow as we make our approach to Catalina and the entire crew gathers on deck to scan the Eastern horizon for land. Midday approaches and the sun burns the remaining morning haze from the Pacific and Catalina appears just off the port bow…. Land Ho! Odd feeling after so long at Sea, to be tied up at the fuel dock on Catalina and ordering four pizzas by cell phone. I step off the boat on to the dock and wobble visibly as legs adjust to land and I make my way around the harbor to pizza and ice cream. As I walk thru the busy harbor streets and pass the weekend Catalina crowds there is no indication of the journey just completed by those that glance my way, but a smile on my face and clear sense of accomplishment in my steps. The journey will end uneventfully and without any obvious milestone achieved. We motor into San Diego harbor at 4am quietly and unnoticed, only greeted by the early morning light as we tie up to the dock and bid farewell to each other and Hula Girl and each make our way back to partners, families, friends…..