We headed west on the southwest breeze with a waxing ebb current flowing. The flags on the end of pier 39 were fluttering in a breeze of about 10 knots. It was a risk to head for the gate with a strong ebb coming. If the wind died or softened too much, we'd be in trouble getting home without motoring-- which I hate!
Off in the northeast, a tanker was anchored off Treasure Island and beginning to swing to line up with the ebb current.
We tacked into the lee of pier 45 and noticed that, way off in the east, that working boat was heading east again and, over by Treasure Island, a sailboat was also heading toward the Bay Bridge.
Off in the north, two sailboats were having fun on the bay, one heading north and one south.
A little later, a sailboat was sailing north along Yerba Buena and was about to pass that working boat.
We tacked away from the city and, as we left the city behind, it was becoming more overcast, but still enjoying sunshine.
As we sailed past Alcatraz, I noticed that that building on Alcatraz was now totally wrapped in white.
Alcatraz was also enjoying sunshine.
Off in the west, a sailboat was out there in Horseshoe Cove, and this seagull just happened to get into the photo.
I had watched as a pilot boat steamed around Alcatraz and then I spotted her hanging out in the deep water channel, and I then figured out that she was waiting for the inbound tanker to do a pilot change-- and indeed that was the case.
This sailboat approaching Horseshoe Cove was sailing toward the gate with a single reef in the main....
The Golden Gate Bridge was looking spectacular as always.
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That sailboat was now crossing the gate on the sparkling bay waters.
Way off in the north, this beautiful schooner was sailing down the shore of Angel Island and looking great! Wish we were closer to get a better shot of her.
We sailed to near the shore at Yellow Bluff-- a single port tack from the lee of pier 45-- and then tacked to the south past Horseshoe Cove and then tacked into Horseshoe Cove, enjoying the view of the green hills of the Marin Headlands behind Fort Baker.
The marina in Horseshoe Cove and Fort Baker were drenched in sunshine at this time.
Winds became flukey in Horseshoe Cove, so we tacked to sail across the gate and then noticed that that tanker that had been anchored out west of Treasure Island was now steaming toward the gate in the usual inbound traffic lane.
We sailed all the way across the gate, enjoying the views of the Bridge and the headlands behind-- always breathtaking, especially when vividly illuminated by the afternoon sun.
Two workmen were up on the bridge cables in their maintenance cars that climb the cables somehow. This is a sight we don't see very often.
We sailed to just inside the south tower, sailing off the breeze a bit to avoid being overpowered, and then we tacked out the gate a short ways and then came about and headed back inside.
The Marin Headlands were enjoying sunshine and the recent rains have greened them up somewhat. I hope we'll have lots more rain this month and make the headlands even greener.
The city was becomming more overcast and low clouds were scudding over the bay.
With winds out of the west, we had to gybe back and forth as we sailed toward home port.
As we sailed toward the east on starboard tack broad reach, this lovely dark-hulled sailboat, named SEAFOX, sailed past toward the gate, sailing with the current and looking good!
SEAFOX was sailing on toward the gate as we continued gybing toward home, doing a couple of chicken gybes, and then, with a wind shift back into the southwest, saiing the rest of the way on starboard tack.
vvvvvvv
This sailboat was sailing along the cityfront.
Behind us, clouds were filling in over the bay.
This sailboat was heading west, sailing away from the Ft. Mason piers.....
...as clouds filled in over the city....
....and that sailboatc continued on westward, sailing with the current.
The city was still in sunshine but clouds were thickening....
...especially in the west.
The flags on the end of pier 39 were still fluttering in a breeze of about 8 knots and the wind was more southerly-- more of a rain direction.
I furled the jib while sailing past the pier and went behind pier 35 to douse the main, then motored around the pier and into the marina. We landed fine with the strong ebb current by going in low, and stopped quickly to avoid the south wind pushing ANTICIPATION too far into the slip before we could tie her up. I was happy to have been able to sail back from the gate, even though it took 80 minutes to sail back against the current while the trip to the gate only took about 50 minutes sailing with the current.
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