Leaving Monterey and Civilization - yet again

June and I are lying here in our respective tents. This was our roughest tent night yet, between the flapping of our tents in the wind and the strong moon, sleep eluded both of us. At least today's paddle is not one of the longer ones. I've got two very long legs coming up where take out spots are not an option, including the stretch around Point Coception which is close to 60 miles and possibly longer if I actually try for a safer landing after rounding the Cape. We'll see how that one goes. Nothing like paddling around a sketchy point after you've done major milage.Yesterday was my biggest swell day yet in California. Big swell had been predicted further out, but it seemed pretty sizable going around the first point coming out of Monterey. It remained rather big until I got to Point Sur. The wind started to pick up and I figured I'd be in for my first harrowing "round a point" paddle in this state. I totally braced myself for a real ride only to discover that as I was approaching the point, the swell was still only coming from one direction mostly, and that it was actually dying down. I couldn't believe it. Then it was kelp central from the point to the landing spot. The wind definitely made navigating through the maze of kelp interesting, that's for sure!One little slow south swell kept June and me on the alert coming in. Going out today we will plan on not crashing through "the wave of the day" like we did in Bolinas. We are still laughing about that one!June and I have been so lucky to meet so many wonderful people on this adventure for the ocean. My thoughts keep going back to Homer of the Clean up Project (honey, can you find the actual name of his org?) and Chris Laughlin of Ocean Champions as well as all the others I met. It was definitely overwhelming.Capt. Homer went out and bought us charts to Point Conception, which is an amazing donation. He spent a lot of time with us, and even paddled out with Roger, Yoko, Cat, and me on his SUP board when we left Santa Cruz.I hope I can reconnect with him in the future, as I really want to work more with getting kids and troubled folks out on the water. The ocean is good for what ails you. Everyone could benefit from more ocean time!