I did some packing during the afternoon while at home and waiting for LZ to return from work. She was giving me a ride to Amtrax. which is only about 15 min. away.

It was an easy trip to the Amtrax station, I made it with about a 15 min wait, which was perfect after showing LZ the way to get home.

I had just settled in my seat when I could here my train a coming…

Once I boarded the train it was a pleasant ride. The sunset over the water was delightful. With the easy motion of the train I could feel sleep knocking on my door, I was tempted to nod, but did not.

It was only about a 1 hour trip to my station. Once I got off the train I was surprised to feel the strength of the wind that was howling.

I thought will if it is like this I will not having any problem if the motor quits on me. I will have to fight my way out to the San Pablo bay against this headwind, but at least I will have the tide pushing me so that will help.With that thought I set off to the marina to prepare for the evening and the morning.

Once on board s/v Zen I started preparing for cast off at o-dark thirty. I was not looking forward to it, but it was the way to take advantage of the tide flow. I had fought the flow the last trip and it was not pleasant. This time, less sleep, less work. I had planned on getting being able to access the Internet from the boat but, no good. I do not know if the PC I brought along instead of my Mac was not strong enough or they had cancelled the service at the marina. No matter I was off line. So here I am making my first entry off line and I’ll complete it once I get home.

I can not help but think about the other times I have made this run out of Martinez down to the bay. The first time in Kuan Yin. Not much wind I had to motor a good deal of the way with a two stroke that made my ex at the time sick. Once we hit the Bay it was way too much wind and I knew nothing about reefing.

The second time in Kuan Yin there was way too much wind, I got a late start fought the tide and aborted the trip once in San Pablo Bay.

The third time on Zen I had a smooth trip down to Loc Lomond, it was perfect, well other than going aground which I got out of, I was so pleased.

Fourth time LZ and I headed out left in good time and had a smooth trip down to Ballena Bay Marina to hang out with the Island 36 group.

Fifth trip, was pretty smooth, other than the motor quiting around Emeryville, but there was plenty of wind to get us down into the estuary. Once there we took a dinner break and it fired up again and we made it to the club gathering. So here I am on number six almost the reverse of when I first brought Zen here.  Only a couple of weeks and several years difference almost an anniversary. I am a much better sailor now and can deal with high winds and know how to lessen the effects on my nerves and the boat . I may not like it, but I can cope. I’m hoping the wind will settle down some in the morning so I can have an easy run out of the Straits, I really do not want to work to hard. I recall there was a small craft advisory for the Bay area tonight. With only 2-5 knots predicted for the morning. We’ll see. Better a bit to much than not enough. If it is too crazy in the morning I’ll just wait until Thursday no biggie. It is 10:45 now. I’ll read a bit then crash for the night and see what the Force has planned in the a.m….yosh!