Heading north yet again, the HMS Beagle crossed the Santa Cruz mountains and descended into the Santa Clara Valley, sometimes called Silicon Valley. The Beagle continued on up the east side of San Francisco Bay, then crossed the bay at the north end on a very tall and long toll bridge, then veered north again to the town of Petaluma. Here the Beagle found mooring at the local KOA.
From Petaluma, the crew was able to take a short trip in the Captain’s yacht to the City of San Francisco, crossing the Golden Gate bridge. Luckily the crew was able to moore the yacht in a crowded tourist area, taking the last space available given over by the attendant. Setting off on foot, the crew enjoyed sight seeing around the Fishermans Wharf area, a tourist magnet with many buskers here and there entertaining the crowds. The view from the wharf looks north into the bay and the island of Alcatraz. One of the famous establishments on the wharf is the Boudin Bakery where they have been serving sourdough bread since the gold rush of 1849. Wandering by the fishing boats along the wharf, the crew came across Frisco the sea lion chatting with the tourists and waiting for the trimmings from the day’s catch. Mr. Darwin attempted a conversation with Frisco, but they did not seem to speak quite the same dialect of bark.
The crew took its mid day meal at Castagnola’s, a fine Italian restaurant along the wharf, after which it engaged a “pedicab” to take all three members out to a viewing point in the harbour and back again to the Captain’s yacht. This was perhaps the only time that Mr. Darwin, who is otherwise fascinated with bicycles, had a ride in a bicycle driven carriage. After a while he became quite comfortable in this vehicle, quite enjoying the wind in his hair and the many tourists who waved to him.
From Petaluma, the crew was also able to travel to the Napa Valley and visit the V. Sattui winery, one which the Captain and Master Chaffers had enjoyed on a previous visit to the area with friends Linda and Gary. However, to travel to the winery the Captain’s yacht was directed by the automated navigation system on a route that was rather terrifying, to wit, the Trinity Road which crosses the mountainous area between the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. The yacht ascended and ascended, and then ascended some more, along a very narrow and poorly maintained road with deteriorating pavement right at the edge where there were usually precipitous drops into the chasm below. After attaining the summit, the trip down was almost equally difficult and distressing. However, the crew made it safely to the valley floor and, thank heavens because it was by then much needed, to the winery.
V. Sattui is a canine friendly winery and Mr. Darwin was welcome. There were many people there enjoying the grounds and picnicking with the delicacies on offer from the winery deli and barbecue. The Captain and Mr. Darwin attended the tasting room and selected some wines to purchase and take back to the Beagle. It was a lovely sunny and warm day. Needless to say, the crew returned to the Beagle along a different route, enjoying the scenery of the valley, rather than focusing on mere survival. The Sailing Master observed that these new fangled automated navigation systems can sometimes set courses that are not practical and should not always be relied upon.
Below is a record of this the Beagle’s stay at this port of call.