Back to Avalon

Saturday, Scott & I started talking about how pricey it was to stay in the marina. It was a joint decision to move on Sunday afternoon to a protected anchorage off White Island in front of Long Beach. There are four islands from the 60's that are man made. They are actually designed to remove oil from the rigs that come into San Pedro Bay. We've been hearing stories about what a great protected anchorage there is at White Island. It's the only island with and anchorage in the bay. On Sunday we headed over around noon. It was a nice quiet motor over, and we even took a little tour of some of the house of Naples Island. Heading out of the jetties was an experience.... for those of you in small boats (sail, kayaks, canoes, etc.) if your draft is shallow, move to the side of the channel. I love to watch the under 10 foot sailboats, but they've got to remember a 2 foot draft can go places my 6 foot can't! The reports were right, it was a lovely anchorage with views of the Queen Mary, the Aquarium, and down town Long Beach. We could even see all the way to Catalina Island. The winds weren't scheduled to calm until Tuesday night. So we dug out some projects and books and settled in for 2 days of relaxation. The winds howled and we held great. On Tuesday the winds died, but we wanted to make a chandlery run on Wednesday morning before heading back to Avalon. Around 12:30 a patrol boat came by and told us we could only anchor there for Friday and Saturday nights or in an emergency. What to do?  So, Avalon here we come. It would be very close to dark before we got in. The trip over was quiet, the only excitement not being able to see the crab pots that lined the break water due to the glare of the sun troubled us. Well when the winds shifted around to N we raised the jib and were flying at almost 7 knots! It was a real rush. We made it over in 4 hours. Currently we are on mooring ball #188 in Avalon Bay. Scott has announced today is a day off, and tomorrow starts two weeks of boat projects getting us all ready for the trip into Mexico. I'm not sure where we will spend the holidays, but I can't think of a better place to be unsure.