Mr. Chubbs makes a friend

Zoom in on this picture and you'll see this lovely little canary like finch. He spent some time with us today on our trip from Crescent City to Eureka. Unfortunately we lost him, but he was a delightful little visitor.
We left Crescent City this morning at 6.00am in - guess what - thick fog, why not, its been here every other bloody morning. So heading out of the harbour with almost no visibility we ran aground - fortunately the tide was on the rise, so we were only delayed a short while, and Tony gunned the engine a few times and we were lifted off.
About an hour out of the harbour heading south we say grey whales. That was a beautiful sight. Two of them came very close to us and stayed awhile then one of them flipped his fluke as they headed away. Unfortunately I did not take a picture - that's the sort of situation where you make a decision to either watch and take it all in or rush to get the camera and take the chance of losing the whole experience.
Fog - we hate fog, yesterday the fog did not lift at all over Crescent City and today we motored all of the way down to Eureka in it. We also came into Eureka this evening after sundown in thick fog. The buoyage system was good and with Tony on C-map, Johnny on eyes (young good eyes), and me on helm we were shot up the channel at 6 knots and found our way into a lovely marina. A gentleman on the dock helped us moor the boat in a spot which had just been vacated by a fishing boat who passed us in the channel on the way in. He almost blinded us with the huge lights they use for fishing full on as he came down the channel.
We plan to stay in Eureka tomorrow - the weather forecasts are a bit iffy - and we (I) am nervous about approaching Cape Mendecino in iffy conditions. It'll give us a chance to get some laundry done and visit this town, which we hear is neat.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hi fellow 2008 Fleet members!I just found your blog via Dolphin Tales site and while I'm composing one for Intrepid II. What incredible experiences you are having! Dolphin Tales and Kalagan are a bit behind you (just got into Newport Oregon today) and Scream is in Port Angeles. Kelly is crewing for a time on Kalagan, and I'm having marvelous vicarious adventures via all of you, while holding down the dock at home. Regards, Carol SV Intrepid II
September 13, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Unknown said…
Hello Capn E and Nancy,
This is Capn Pedro and the good lady Michelle. Ran into KC at the Yacht club this evening and he also is following your blog. Sounds like you having a mountain of fun.
Keep up the good reporting and safe voyaging,
CP and M
September 14, 2008 at 8:07 PM
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