HAPPY NEW YEAR

May the seas be calm, your sunsets memorable, and time with loved ones appreciated and cherished forever. Make 2013 an adventure you'll never forget. Let's go sailing!

The Baja Catch

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MAY YOUR NEW YEAR BE THE BEST EVER

The Admiral and capt would like to wish our family and friends a Merry Christmas and a  healthy, prosperous and fulfilling 2013. LET'S GO SAILING!   

PICTURE COURTESY OF JOHNNY DORADO

One of the joys of being on a boat.

A TIME TO REFLECT

During our 47 day adventure, we traveled over 1,800 nautical miles and visited some 20 different anchorages, ports and bays. Our goal was to fish, surf, dive and hike. The mission was accomplished! As Jack wrote in the ship's log, "This journey has been an incredible adventure opening to the mystery and wonder of the big blue ocean and remote Baja."

The crew in San Diego prior to departure. L to R, the capt, El Jeffe, Johnny Dorado, Ranger Van Bro.

The return crew enjoying the sunset at Abreojos. The capt, Ranger Van Bro and Jack.

12-12-12

A wonderful homecoming awaited us as we completed the last leg and day of this voyage from San Diego. Thanks go out to everyone for your prayers and well wishes for our safety and safe return and especially to the Admiral who had to put up with two tired and smelly sailors.

After clearing Customs in San Diego, B-Rad (AKA Phoenix, Master Chin and Jack) gathered his gear and left us. His contribution as crew and cook on the return trip was invaluable.

Our GPS shows 49.5 miles to Dana Point from the San Diego Harbor entrance.

Dressed for success, we entered Dana Point in our cleanest dirty clothes.

TURTLE BAY

Got in last night after a very fishy trip up the coast. We'll be leaving tomorrow for a stay-over at Cedros Island. At the internet shop now for a quick weather and email update.

ASUNCION

We were able to find wifi in town as we waited to have our propane tank refilled. It ran out yesterday and we had to get creative for dinner last night and breakfast today. Weather forecasts are the most important element of this return trip. We have to wait out some funkiness tonight but we'll be headed to Turtle Bay tomorrow morning.

Oh, did I tell you the homemade tortillas are out of this world!

ABREOJOS

It's getting cold after the sun goes down now. 

13 hours of bashing from San Juanico is the great little town, Abreojos. We'll spend another night here and then it's off early to Ascunsion Bay. We monitored the weather on the internet and we have a good window for our next leg. Hopefully we'll be in Turtle Bay in the next couple of days.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

The sunrise, a morning dive, a beach hike, an afternoon surf session and a few good meals. Keep it simple.

BAHIA SAN JUANICO

YELLOWTAIL ENCHILADAS. On our 17 hours ride from Bahia Santa Maria to  San Juanico, we were blessed with a beautiful sunrise, sunset and a delicious seafood dish.

We took a long hike along this stretch of San Juanico today.

After the hike we went into "town" and bought tortillas and water. This Mini Super has the best home made  torts you've ever tasted. 

INTERNET SERVICE HERE IS SKETCHY. WE'RE PLANNING TO LEAVE IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. THE WEATHER AND WATER IS BEGINNING TO GET COOLER. SUE, I'LL CALL YOU TOMORROW, TUESDAY. LOVE YOU!!

OUR DAY IN CABO

We started the day on the hook outside the harbor. Had breakfast, swam over to Al's boat and helped secure his dinghy and outboard and then it was off to the fuel dock. We settled in a slip, had our first real showers with shampoo since leaving San Diego and set out to find a replacement starter battery. Tomorrow it's up early, scrub down the boat, buy fresh fruits, veggies, ice, take another shower and move back out on the hook.

This is one of the reasons to have young, strong crew. Carrying the new start battery.

BREATHER IN CABO

Fixing the masthead light, ranger style.

We captured third in our division.

B-Rad arrived today and we had dinner with Al from Channel Islands Marina. He's anchored right next to us. Al prepared a chicken dish that was delish. He's soloing a Hunter 42 and is moving on to Mazatlan later this week. We'll be helping him tomorrow securing his dingy and outboard for his passage. Weather and water is warm. :)

WIFI FOR NOW, BUT IT CONSTANTLY CHANGES

I've stopped taking pictures of the sunsets and sunrises. I'm running out of memory!!

Long passages, the Ranger and Johnny Dorado "sleep" between shifts, getting some shut-eye.

Bahia Santa Maria makes for some great beach combing. Two bros walking the beach.

We're in Cabo San Lucas for a brief time sending home El Jeffe and JD and waiting for B-Rad to arrive. We've experienced some unbelievable sailing and seen some very beautiful places.

ON THE WAY DOWN

Johnny Dorado with a yellowfin tuna.

El Jeffe releasing a skipjack.

The Admiral was with us the whole trip.

A special thank you to all who kept us in your prayers. The crew sends their love to you.

WE MADE IT!

"With all the technology and mechanics in this world, the ocean is humbling. To me it is the "Pohono" of the sea, What can seem calm can be a monster to man and put him in his place." The Ranger's log entry November 5, 2012.

We're in Cabo San Lucas for a few days. What'a ride so far.

THE DAY HAS COME

El Jeffe and the Ranger yesterday bringing Serenity Now from Dana Point to San Diego Bay.

After months of planning and preparation, the time has come to cast off our dock lines and sail south. Monday October 29th will mark the start of the nineteenth annual Baja sailboat rally (Baja HaHa) with stops in Turtle Bay, Bahia Santa Maria and Cabo San Lucas. Today we attended the captain's meeting followed by a barbecue at West Marine. Fortunately it was a short walk from Serenity Now. We were joined by the Admiral, Jen, Sailor Sam and crewman JR.

The first leg is 360 miles. Our shifts will be 2 hours on, 6 hours off. If all goes as planned we'll be in Turtle Bay on the third day. Hopefully I can blog from Cabo, if not, I'll fill you in before Christmas.

Love you Admiral.

Adios amigos,

the capt

Sailor Sam and his entourage.

One happy crew a day prior to departure.

Sailor Sam and JR got in the spirit at the barbecue.

THREE DAYS AND A WAKE UP

OCTOBER SAIL

We made time for, what may be, our last trip to Catalina this year. Iffy weather turned us into Newport Beach Harbor for one night before we settled in Cherry Cove the next day. Warm weather and water made for a good time. We enjoyed an empty Button Shell Cove our last night.

Moving up the coast between Dana Point and Newport Beach.

Cherry was uncrowded and the conditions were excellent.

It's always nice to be greeted on our way home.

"Bound for Los Cabos" The Trailer

FINAL PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY

At the end of this month Serenity Now will depart Dana Point gliding south to the tip of Baja Mexico. She will explore the east cape of the peninsula and then methodically make  her way back, stopping at coves (ensenadas) and bays (bahias) along the route.

The preparation has been extensive, exhaustive at times, but necessary for a safe and memorable voyage. Systems have been checked, rebuilt, cleaned and lubricated. Special equipment, extra fuel and water tanks have been added. The interior will be transformed from a comfy cruiser to a bare bones, no fluff efficient one. The cruising, weather and tourist guides have been studied along with the nautical charts for the route. Numerous waypoints have been inputed into the two GPS units. The prep goes on and on.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that counts. It's the life in your years."... Abraham Lincoln

A special thanks to the Admiral for making this happen. I love you.

WE TRY HARDER

"So what have you been doin' the last 40 years?" We filled in the blanks during a casual afternoon sail. The weather cooperated as we sailed along at 5-6 knots covering nearly 14nm from the Dana Point Marina. You see, #25 and the capt played football together at Cal Poly a few years back. Once back in the slip, #50 joined us and the recollections and stories about yesteryear continued. It was a great time.

#25 and his wife Nancy. 25 holds the school record for most touchdowns (4) in a single game.

L to R #25, Nancy, #50 (notice the caved in forehead. That's from the game with NAU), Jeanne, the Admiral and the capt.

Topping it off with a bite to eat and more conversation.

THE RETURN OF SAILOR SAM

Aeolus, mythical Greek ruler of the winds, has been good to us lately. Today we were treated to 13-20 knot winds, warm air and the return of Sailor Sam. If you remember, Sailor Sam holds the record for being the youngest to transit to Catalina on Serenity Now. He also completed sailing lessons this summer in King Harbor. In addition, he received the Hawaiian Mr. Clean Award after the wash down. Way to go Sammy!

We were cookin' with a reefed main and genny and even made a successful hat-overboard retrieval.

"Look mom, this is so easy I can sail with my eyes closed!"

A BLESSED DAY

Father Patrick and the Little Jazz Bird joined us for a fabulous day on the water. A consistent 16-20 knot breeze, sunshine, dolphins and plenty of good conversation filled out a great afternoon.

The Jazz Bird hoisting the main.

Serenity NOW!

I'm gettin' the hang of this.

LITTLE HARBOR

We packed our bags and were off to the back side last week to beat the heat. Little Harbor was empty of boats, a complete reversal of Avalon. There was plenty of time for paddling, hiking, snorkeling, fishing and just plain relaxing. The Los Cabellaros, a mens riding club, were doing their 63rd annual Catalina ride and were staying at the Little Harbor campground. The men we talked with were very friendly and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. The scent of their camp fire and live western music was a treat each evening.

Little Harbor is three miles east of Cat Harbor and makes an ideal anchorage when the conditions  permit.

From a distance this old boy looked like a rock. Needless to say, we snapped this pic and turned around.

The Admiral on her afternoon voyage.

Water temp was in the low seventies, lovin' it!

Pulling out after a great stay.