Sunday, August 5, 2007- Sailing, Sailing

We cast off on the good ship Cavin Fever* today, the 32 foot sailboat that Bob and Cathy co-own with another couple. After lunch at Ruby’s, a southern California 50’s style diner, we set sail from the marina at Long Beach. We went right past the Queen Mary, the dome that once housed the Spruce Goose, and a very large cruise ship that sailed out as we were returning. We were on the water for about four hours or so. Cathy had warned us about how far the boat tips when under sail, but it’s still something to get used to when it actually happens. We enjoyed seeing many sea lions sitting on the buoys we were passing. There were sea gulls, of course, and there were also several pelicans that we saw soaring overhead. It was a gorgeous day for sailing and we got to see quite a few other boats out there, and even kite surfers. Anna got to take the wheel for a while, but both girls were probably more impressed with the cabin. We hoped that Emma would be rocked to sleep, but no such luck. We eventually sailed as far south as a large oil derrick off of Seal Beach, and circled around it. We learned a little about sailing, too, watching Bob and Cathy tacking the sails. Scott tried it once but ended up getting a brush burned hand. Still, we gained an appreciation of the difference between “boaters” and “sailors” today.

* (The name comes from the previous owner. Someday, they want to re-name it the Sea-Renity).