We took our summer solstice sail (SSS) one day late this year; Friday, instead of Thursday, evening. It was very nice but we were once again surprised to see only three other sail boats out on the water. True, it was cool on Long Beach Harbor but the sun was out with a little bit of haziness. The sail began in 16 kt near 1740 but the wind tapered off to barely one knot or two by sunset back inside Alamitos Bay, allowing us to enjoy our spread of wine, cheese, fruit, and chips & dip on the cockpit table w/o fear of sudden heeling. Two major, and two minor, marinas with more than 5,000 slips at currently high occupancy provide very close access to Long Beach Harbor which is protected by a breakwater as well as by land. Yet, we were virtually alone out there
. Well, that's one thing about sailing. I'd have to drive on a crowded freeway of 5 or more lanes in places a minimum of two hours east toward the San Gabriel mountains to find even a fraction of that "solitude" in a place worth visiting. With a sail boat slipped only 4 mi from home, it takes less than 1/2 an hour, and no freeway! I guess this is the point where folks say "Life is good!"
. Well, that's one thing about sailing. I'd have to drive on a crowded freeway of 5 or more lanes in places a minimum of two hours east toward the San Gabriel mountains to find even a fraction of that "solitude" in a place worth visiting. With a sail boat slipped only 4 mi from home, it takes less than 1/2 an hour, and no freeway! I guess this is the point where folks say "Life is good!"
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