Angel Island

Voyaged down the Bay to Angel Island in the weekend. Lunched in the (tide) lee of Red Rock. The wind finally hit leaving Red Rock and sailed on a fast and wet close reach with one reef in to the east side of Angel Island until my mainsail blew out (again). Sailed under small jib alone back under the relative lee of the north side of Quarry Point. By now the forecast was declaring a "small craft advisory". Settled in for the night and set two anchors on account of the strong tides and winds. Had an unsettled night as the wind shifted from the West to the North and straight into my anchorage at 20 knots or so. Had enough at 5AM and up anchored to motor to the Sth side of Quarry point for some peace and quiet. Had to leave an anchor on a float as too complicated to pick up both anchors in the rough conditions. Beautiful morning at Quarry Beach in the lee of the point. This was one of the sites of the immigration and military transit stations on Angel Island that closed in the 1940s - the "Ellis Island of the West". It is also the site of a 19th C quarry that was worked by convicts from nearby Alcatraz Island - hence the name Quarry Beach. Made an early start to head back up the Bay. Started by heading back to the Nth side of the point and picking up my second anchor. With no mainsail I had to motor against a 20 knot Northerly all the way to Pt San Pablo - but with the tide, thank goodness. After rounding Pt San Pablo, had the wind on the aft quarter and could set the jib for a run back to the Carquinez Strait with the engine ticking over and making 5-6 knots with the tide. 53 nautical miles this trip.

 Angel Island, and Downtown.

Quarry Beach, Angel Island.

Lunch at Red Rock on the way down.

Red Rock, looking across to San Quentin next to the Richmond Bridge.

 
The Brothers Lighthouse, Pt San Pablo.