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5-31-00
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0800
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While making new covers for the main and roller furled jib, I decided to install some zippers rather than use the twist fasteners. However, after learning that their cost would be grater than the 8 yards of Sunbrella used (which was not cheap,) I decided to check out a few thrift stores as a last resort for a possible savings. |
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1200
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My fruitless research led me to the last and final junk shop in Lodi,
the small agricultural town in California's central valley. After
asking the lady in charge for either a large zipper or anything that may
have a large zipper attached that I could remove, she directed me to the
house wares section (this place had Departments just like Sears ;-)
Well, no sleeping bags were available but low and behold, setting right
there on a small shelf was a Sharp Carousel II, Half Pint, Microwave (I
think it even winked at me.) Using my tape measure I quickly learned
that I was looking at a 13" cube. Now, that would fit in Pegasus
galley just fine.
I returned to the lady in charge with 2 questions: dose it work and how much? To which she responded "I don't know & $17." I returned to the microwave with a cup of water for some in depth engineering testing then quickly returned to the checkout counter with a very hot cup of water and $17. Who needs zippers anyway? I'll use twist fasteners ;-) |
| 1400 |  Upon returning
to the boat, I and got out every type of cleaning agent and tool on board
and gave my new toy a GI scrub for head to toe; Installed it behind
the galley sink then came to the conclusion that I had nothing to microwave.
Well, some day I might and until then,
Pegasus will have one of
those conveniences like the big guy's (if I ever need one ;-) |
| 6-1-00 |
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| 1500 | The winds are little to nothing and the temperature iss 90 degrees
with only 60 percent humidity. Its time to get wet, cool down and
go to work cleaning the bottom. I cranked up the old A4 and motored
up the San Joaquine River to Potato Slough (about 5 miles.) Potato
slough is commonly referred to by the locals as Bedroom #1, #2 or #3.
The Slough has 3 separate islands about a mile apart that provide excellent
protection from the Delta's prevailing (NW) summer winds (on day's we have
some), a good current, meaning cleaner water and excellent vegetation to
tie off to. The accepted method of spending the night in the Delta
is finding a shoreline of your liking, set a stern anchor then tie the
bow off to a willow tree or anything available that's secure.
I made my way up River and turned left at channel marker #51 of Stockton's Deep Water Channel and the entrance to Potato Slough. I circled the southern end of Bedroom #1 and found 6 boats already tied off and their owners kicked back soaking up the sun or playing with their water toy's. Normally I would expect to find 20 to 30 boats here the week after Memorial Day. People in the Bay bring their boats up during the 3 day weekend and leave them for the summer, then return them to their Bay slips after Labor Day.
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| 1600 | I changed into my swimming trunks then put on my mask, fins and snorkel. I found the water cool and refreshing as I slid over the side with a 3M scrub pad and started to work. The current was just strong enough to take the bottom grime away as I cleaned yet not strong enough to cause me to struggle. A perfect way to spend a hot afternoon. |
| 2000 |  With bottom cleaning,
happy hour and dinner behind me, I decide to settle in and spend the night
on the hook rather than return to the slip. I took my June issues
of Latitude 38 and Cruising World along with a glass of Drambuie into the
cockpit and kicked back for a relaxing evening in the Delta. As I
sat in the cockpit and watched the sun set, I wondered, as I often do,
why more people do not take advantage of the many natural resources and
over 1000 miles of navigateable waters the California Delta offers.
Oh well, I guess that just makes it nicer for people like me. |
| 2030 | I had just finished an article (or guesstimate) in CW about Triton's history when I noticed a breeze come across the deck. This is serious! Its been a week since I have sailed and almost a year since I had the opportunity to enjoy a night sail through the warm Delta air. I leafed through the remaining pages of CW not really paying attention to the text; My mind was on the wind. |
| 2045 | The wind was freshening up for sure. I cleared the cockpit, secured
the cabin and hoisted the main. After hauling in the anchor I trimmed
the sheets and made my way towards the San Joaquine River just 2 miles
and a couple of tacks away.
As I came around the last bend in the slough, I spotted the blinking red and green christmas lights marking the route used by large ships during the day and soft breezes by night. The NW winds increased to 10-15 at the River with not another set of running light on the water. I headed east to set a reef in the main then unfurled the working jib attached to the self tending club (about 90 percent.) There was no real need for a reef however, there also was no real need to hurry through the night. It was all mine to savor and enjoy. After sailing east for a while I turned around at Mandville Cut (the location Conrad Hilton has made famous with his yearly fourth of July fireworks display) and headed west for Sevenmile Slough and Owl Harbor. After arriving at the entrance to the Slough, I furled the jib, dropped the main and idled to the slip not wanting the night to end. |
| 2215 | As I slipped between the fingers, Jesse, a house boat live aboard came
out to ensure that all was well with his charges. At 90 years young,
Jesse is the self appointed keeper of I Dock's vessels and a close friend
of their owners. After securing Pegasus, I ended the day with
a cool beer and a little chatter with Jess.
With the bottom clean and still nothing to microwave, Pegasus and I ended another day of hard work in the Delta ;-) eyhos |
I continued up
the Slough to Bedroom #2 which had a familiar looking Brown 31 Trimaran
tied off at the north end of the island. This Brown is also a regular
at Owl Harbor Marina where Pegasus spends her idle hours.
I elected to anchor out at the southern end about a football field away.
No reason to crowed.