Just Right

A few of you may remember when I was staying with a friend of mine Dylan earlier this year in a wonderful twist of events. As previously stated, his family has long been my "Santa Cruz family." We've done numerous holidays and dinners together which have given me some semblance of that familial connection out here.
Well as it turns out, sailing is a family past time. His father, Jim, invited me numerous times to come join him on any given Wednesday night. A few weeks ago I finally got around to taking him up on the offer. It was a quite the adventure for me as it was the 1st time I'd actually sailed on the ocean. (As opposed to Cayuga Lake) We went out on the Elixir a 54 ft beauty. However, it had a bit of a Scooby Doo feel to it as the notorious Monterey Bay fog engulfed us just before we were set to sail. Being the rookie that I was, I still was as bright eyed as could be.
Despite a few gorgeous Wednesday's since, my schedule didn't permit me heading out. But I made it my business to free up for this go round. And was it all one could ask for in terms of scenery and experience. This go round we set sail on Akela, a 77-footer which apparently is quite a beast when it comes to racing.
Although I was given some initial duties, it didn't take long for me to be relieved and hanging over the side of the boat swapping traveling tales with an Aussie from Brisbane. In addition to the expected natural beauty, every single bird in the Santa Cruz area made it's way to water and created quite a spectacle to behold. Even the old timers were pretty amazed to see so many out.
Quiet as kept this bit of practice is actually a race. One no one contested us in at any point, but made for some good laughs aboard as some people took it a little more serious than others.

The surprising part of this whole ordeal is the after party. Never in my life have I been invited to hang out in a "Yacht Club." But I guess my visions of becoming a millionaire are starting to align, amenities first!! It didn't take long for me to connect with the surroundings and the rest of the night flowed Just Right!