On May 19th, a Friday, our quick trip to California was coming to an end.
Instead of driving from Atascadero to home through California's Central Valley, which would have been quicker, we choose the longer drive along the coast for scenic and sentimental reasons.
Instead of driving from Atascadero to home through California's Central Valley, which would have been quicker, we choose the longer drive along the coast for scenic and sentimental reasons.
Around lunchtime my Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, and I decided to eat at the Santa Barbara Harbor. We have so many memories here, and this just might be my Grandfathers last trip. As soon as we drove up to the harbor we saw a giant, old fashioned ship tower above all the other boats.
There was no way my Mom and I weren't going to explore this ship!
My Grandparents had no interest.
So off my Mom and I went.
What was supposed to be a quick stop became a couple hours.
What was supposed to be a quick stop became a couple hours.
But it was so worth it!
We explored the San Salvador, which is apart of the Maritime Museum in San Diego. This ship isn't original, though it's been painstakingly recreated with acute detail.
The San Salvador was captained by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who arrived in San Diego on September 28, 1542 before traveling up the coast, all this taking place nearly 80 years before the Mayflower sailed to America. Really incredible.
The ship is steered by this rod, which turns the rudder, while the captain's view is that of the main deck.
On the San Diego Maritime Museum website you can download this poster.
This ship is no longer docked at the Santa Barbara Harbor, though it looks like it will be sailing around. The San Salvador just finished a week cruise from Santa Barbara to the Channel Islands and then to Sand Diego. And there's a special Father's Day sail with the ship in San Diego.
Photos by Robin and Sarah Stufflebeam
