Saddleback Mountain

If you really want to appreciate the ocean, spend 8 hours hiking to the top of Santiago Peak. The Admiral, Boots and the Capt did just that yesterday. Holy Jim trail twists up to the Main Divide Road which takes the curious to the highest point in Orange County. We took a side trip to the Holy Jim waterfall on our way up. There's a 4000 foot elevation gain from the trailhead to the peak at 5692 feet and a round trip distance of 18 miles. This is one of several training hikes we're doing in preparation for our attempt to scale Mt. Whitney later this year.

8:20 a.m. and we're off to a great start

We even found the right trail. The Admiral has her tennis shoes just in case.

Holy Jim Falls was a slight diversion on our way to the top.

Can you hear me now???

The wild flowers were abundant and beautiful.

Boots leading the way on Upper Holy Jim.

The crew at the top of Santiago Peak feelin' good.

Marine Cuisine

The Admiral does a great job of planning, shopping and preparing most of our meals. Occasionally, we're treated to the catch-of-the-day. But as any fisherman will tell you, always have a backup meal. Here's a glimpse of a few of the meals aboard Serenity NOW.

A salad of sliced avocado, tomato, cucumber, asparagus & onion sprinkled with feta cheese and your favorite dressing.

Chopped tomato, onion, garlic being reduced in olive oil for....

A cool summertime desert.

Pacific spiny lobster tacos with all the trimmings.

Shrimp and diced lobster tacos smothered with grated cheese.

Lobster tails with rice noodle and sweet corn.

Filet mignon, sweet corn and potato salad. Easy and delicious.

The "Gut Bomb", as waterman Matt dubbed it, is a pile of chips covered with chili and onions topped with two Hebrew National Kosher dogs.

Toasted bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon, avocado, orange slices and of course, a mimosa to wash it down.

Sauteed flying fish and scrambled eggs topped with shredded cheese.

Nature's Treasures Are Only A Sail Away

Avalon Zip Line

Here's the skinny on the new zip line in Catalina. There are 5 segments, stopping at 4 platforms along the way. Greatest distance from the ground is reported to be 400 feet. There's a instructional class taken before you leave. To date, no one has been killed. Cost is $94.50.

We're baaccck!

Who has the right-of-way? Is that a real question?

At the top of Hermit Gulch. Wouldn't you like to have dinner with the person the gulch was named after?

Wow, nothing like gettin' away for a few days to recharge the batteries and refocus. The Admiral and I had a wonderful stay at Avalon and Cherry Cove. Saw a lot of wildlife highlighted by flying fish, a California King snake and a whale today about an hour out from Dana Point. Awesome.

Greg's 34th Birthday...Nesporado Style

The Ranger made his way down the mountain for a little R&R on Serenity NOW. It coincided with his birthday. We stayed two nights on the hook at Willow Cove before moving to Avalon. Gale force winds made us return to the Avalon and spend an extra night. Stuck in paradise!

Martini Crusing

This years Martini Cruise took us to Danalina for the evening. Good weather, great company and lots of laughs made for a wonderful evening on the hook.

Would you let this guy drive the boat?

One happy crew.

A Yummy Flying Fish

Nesporados are voracious fishermen, it has something to do with the food-gathering/hunting thing. I don't believe it's evoluntionary but recently the fish started coming to us.

Flying fish.. breaded and saut'ed in a light oil with garlic, stuffed with lemon wedges and served with scrambled eggs, orange slices and a light party cracker. Try to find this on the menu next time you're at a restaurant.