Avila and Quick Stop at Pear Valley

As our friends, Wayne and Carol of "Capricorn Cat" were having a wedding party in San Francisco we planned a vacation around attending.

Research.
Research.
Research.
As usual.
A little shopping, a little preparing and a little leaving work early on a Thursday.

First stop Avila Beach.

Not much to write home about, but a great view.
A level spot.
Far away neighbors.
A place to bbq.
A spot to sit and sip some wine while knitting.

Second stop, a wine club pick up at Pear Valley Winery.

Had to make sure we wouldn't go thirsty...

Next Stop ~ Vacation!

Fall Sunrises...

Quite lovely.

The sunrises, sunsets and weather are great!
I don't like the shorter hours of daylight or walking the dog while it's dark.
I do love the feel of fall though...
The oranges, pinks and shimmering golds.

I love fall, however would prefer it to be followed by either spring or summer.
Skip winter.

What Not To Do With A Boat...

Really, it's best to keep them on top of the water.

You, know "above", not under...

Makes it hard to sail, anchor, park and haul out.

Four Adults, One Child, Two Labrador Retreivers Island Trip

Which really equates to a lot of dog hair and a lot of towels.

And a lot of fun!
Yellowbanks with Dawn, Neil, Nina and dog Amber.

 

We all swam.
Some of us dove in.

Some jumped.

 

Some were pulled in.

Some watched.

Perfect weather.
Perfect guests.
Perfect food.
Perfect wine.
Perfect good time!

Dog Dinghy Rides

Or how to entertain two dogs and an eleven year old in the afternoon...

A Perfect Four Days at La Islas!

This was the spoiler trip for sure.
Ruined us for the Labor Day weekend...
We had four perfect, incredible, warm, flat, calm, peaceful days last weekend, so with 10-20 and gusts to 25 this weekend - eh, staying in the harbor!

But last weekend?
Perfection.
Dorothy, Jim A. & their dog JoJo joined us.
We headed out through the gap and up the backside to Willows on Thursday.

Stan followed us up after hooking, but not boating a few makos.

And rowed over for hora feliz.

Then he headed back down the island and we headed to Santa Rosa.

Had a few bloody marys at some point.

Sat on the dog toilet tramps with the culprit dog at some point.

Ate well the entire time.

Enjoyed 74 + degree water on the backside of Santa Rosa!
YES OVER 74 DEGREES!
Amazing. 
All four humans and both dogs went for a swim.

Then headed over to Forneys at the West end of Santa Cruz for our last night.

Jim, Damnit Jim & Dorothy went in to the beach and I stayed with the dogs.
Ate and drank more.
Just lovely...!

On Sunday we motored down the front side to show them all of the anchorages, Painted Cave and poked our bows into Diablo and Pelicans.

Yep, spoiled us.
Staying in the harbor, watching the boats slam out of the harbor, watching boats come back in and listening the the chatter on vhf.
Good decision.