ORION: Sailing over the long weekend May 28-30, 2011...Coffin Island

Yap...we did it again! This time we even had an additional day to spend on our beloved Coffin Island. We left Salinas on Saturday under motor and sail...returned on Monday evening after a beautiful and perfect 5 hour sail back all the way from Coffin Island to Salinas...woohoo :o) Here are a few pictures to accompany our recent Coffin Island adventure. And just in case you may wonder...no...we do not get tired of Coffin Island...ever :o)

Although it was a long weekend (MemorialDay weekend) there were not too many boats out there during the day time...all but a few left before sunset...a perfect setting for a romantic weekend on Orion :o)

In the evening captain turned BBQ Chef Rick produced some absolutely delicious chicken thighs (boneless and skinless), which we ate sliced up on a bun with broccoli slaw...very yummy and even a tad healthy :o)

Since we are talking about food...another nice meal was green salad with apple slices...simple and nutritious...okay, okay...the captain had a peanut butter sandwich instead of the salad! Can't overdo it with "the green stuff" for him, hahahaha.
For breakfast we had 7-grain bread with Havarti cheese and apple slices...the perfect start for another perfect day in Paradise :o) Best of all: cooking time was kept to a minimum, giving us ample opportunity to go snorkeling and horse around in the water!

The captain combined snorkeling with cleaning Orion's bottom, and when he was finished I jumped in also and we took off together to find "Nemo", but since I have "short time memory loss" I can't remember whether we found him or not...;o)

As mentioned, we had a super sail back to Salinas under both main and jib. Here is a picture showing how Orion glides through the sea under sail, leaving white froth on the side...a perfect 5 hour sail, and we enjoyed it tremendously! The only sad thing is that I lost my "Orion" cap when the wind picked up...yes, the one I was wearing in the picture at the beginning of the story. Ah well...time to get a new one for me and my sweetie, the captain :o)

Back at the marina we were greeted by 4 manatees... I was lucky enough to capture these gentle giants on my camera...well...as best as I could capture them...spring has sprung for sure, they were having a great time fro-locking around the dock and Orion...