Harbor Perspectives

One of the great aspects of cycling is the unique perspective it provides on journeys. The sun, wind, fresh air and scenery all contribute to the adrenaline rush from vigorous ascents and speedy decents. Unlike most dedicated road cyclists, I often take bike paths instead of roads due to the better views and fewer fumes, preferring to share my journey with pedestrians over cars and trucks. Since people walking along paths don’t always abide by rules of the road, a quick “on your left” or “excuse me” followed by a pleasant ‘thanks” helps avoid mishaps and promotes the shared experience. As a friend recently reminded me, pedestrians always have the right of way.

After an exhilarating 30 mile cycle from my boat, Calypso in the Santa Cruz Harbor up the coast to Davenport and back, I decided to take a spin around the harbor and was struck by this scene of the harbor lighthouse. Although the harbor was built by the Army Corps of Engineers forty years ago, the lighthouse is relatively new. built only a few years ago. The jetties that form the harbor mouth are made of massive, multi-ton jacks that interlock together. The story goes that the lighthouse was painted white after several boaters mistook the initial red color as a navigation marker, “red on right upon return” and unfortunately the lighthouse is on the left of the harbor when approached from the sea.

The harbor was dredged from one of twin lakes in two phases. The south harbor with free clearance to the channel was built first and then the north harbor was added a few years later. Although the north harbor is easily accessible by power boats, sailboats must tabernacle their mast to go under the bridge. After the harbor was opened it was discovered that the location which is down current from the mouth of the San Lorenzo river, was ill advised. The silt that pours down the river during winter storms flows down to the harbor and fills up the channel each year. The harbor must be dredged during the winter to maintain a navigable channel.

Calypso, my 27” sailboat is located by the launch ramp on the east side of the south harbor and has great access to the channel as well as many of the harbor amenities. I often spend long weekends on Calypso , taking conference calls on Friday morning from the boat. Pam joins me for one or two nights and then I commute to work on Monday morning. The harbor serves me as a base for cycling as well as sailing with many trips up the coast to Wilder Ranch, Davenport and some times even Ano Nuevo. After a weekend of cycling, sailing, romantic dinners and quiet nights, rocked to sleep by the harbor ebb and flow, I am ready for another week of challenges and opportunities in Silicon Valley.

Bon Voyage, Jay