M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S

A DREAM COMES TRUE

Today was a sailor's dream...15 knot wind, clear sky and a smooth sea. Sprinkle in plenty of dolphins and you have the making of a great afternoon sail for the Admiral and I.

Conditions were near perfect.

Speed over ground 7.3 knots on a broad reach, sweetness.

WHALES, TALES, LAUGHS & GRINS

JD, Mama Jen, Miss Maya and Sailor Sam joined us for an afternoon whale watching expedition plus a quick visit to Danalina. A wonderful sunset and a tranquil anchorage helped make this another great day.

A WHALE OF A DAY!

Jaime and I were at it again yesterday blessed with warm skies and a 12 knot wind. There was talk of a humpback that has been seen regularly in the local waters so we sailed off with that in mind. It wasn't long until we were following this awesome creature. And then the unexpected happened, the whale propelled itself entirely out of the water, displaying its huge flippers in a dramatic breach. Its huge body, in an almost comical way, hit the water and made an enormous bellyflop-like splash. We relished our unexpected and unusual encounter as we returned to the harbor. Every day is different on the water.

Jaime Hacienda

 

NINETY-FIVE YEARS YOUNG

The St. Clement's Sailing Team was at it again today off the San Clemente coast. Ruthie, the team's matriarch, Choir Boy (AKA Gnarly Head), the Admiral, and I enjoyed light air, warm weather and great conversation. I can only pray to be sailing when I'm in my 90's. Go Ruthie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADMIRAL

BREAK OUT THE JACKETS

Lumpy conditions and a cold brisk breeze made for a brief sail on Saturday. Oh well...

JAIME HACIENDA IS BACK!

If you're lookin' for a cool Panama hat, Jaime is the guy to talk to. The Panamanian land baron took time away from his busy schedule for a mellow day on the water. Good times.

VAGABUNDOS DEL MAR

Bahia Concepcion on the second day of our 1,100+ mile adventure from San Clemente to  the East Cape.

99% of the road was good, two lane highway but we did run into a few spots that were washed out after the recent hurricanes.

Donnie and Debbie's pot-of-gold at the end of the rainbow.

The fishing was unusually slow this time around.

Captain Cabo at the wheel of his Whaler.

The reflection tells it all.

Snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo in 82-83 degree water.

LA ABUNDANCIA, BAJA SUR

Pics will have to wait because of limited bandwidth here. Our trip was amazing, 14 and 12 hours of driving in two consecutive days with a night at the "Rice and Bean" motel.
Baja is mucho green, looks like Hawaii with cactus. Water is in the mid-80's and we've been busy getting all set up here at the casa. There was very little hurricane damage here but tons of sand has vanished from in front of the home. Adios amigos.

FLIERS, FLIES & FOG

Hamilton Cove, Little Harbor, Buttonshell and Avalon, four stops in four nights. Yes, we did a lot of moving around for various reasons. Our plan was to spend one night in Avalon and then head to Little Harbor for the rest of the trip. Avalon was packed because of an air show the next day so we settled in at a bumpy Hamilton Cove. In the morning we were off to Little Harbor. Unbelievably, there were no other boats there. The anchors were set and soon we noticed a few kelp flies, or should I say they noticed us. We swatted until the sun set and decided two days of this would be too much. The flies won and we left the next morning, back to the front side. Our departure for Dana Point was aborted because of dense fog so it was back to Avalon for our final night, a day in the life for a couple of ocean-going vagabonds.

Sunrise from Hamilton Cove.

Our private air show at Little Harbor.

Little Harbor

The reef doing its thing at Little Harbor.

This is why we extended an extra night.

D A N A L I N A

The admiral and I found the west anchorage empty yesterday afternoon as we dropped the anchor and settled in for the evening. The conditions were perfect for a peaceful night and a beautiful sunrise this morning.

Great way to start the day.

SC ROTARY SAILING TEAM

After todays Rotary meeting, Sir Thomas, Welby and the capt honed their sailing skills off the Dana/San Clemente coast. The weather was perfect and the wind was a consistent 12-16 knots. Good times.

The crew.

Sir Thomas looking regal.

Welby is a natural behind the helm. Note: This pic was taken before he lost his hat.

12TH ANNUAL NESPORADO EXCURSION

There were a few Nesporados missing in action for this years get-a-way but El Jeffe and the capt made the best of it. Scorching air temps and 74 degree water made the diving and swimming very enjoyable. Sailor Jerry, Jackpot, Ranger...next time!

We had Willow Cove (Jim's Spot) all to ourselves.

Jim joined us for a brewski on Saturday. A Canadian, he has been living on his boat for the past 6 years and has been exploring Catalina and the other Channel Islands. 

The Official 2014 Nesporado photo. This year's slogan, "Small in number, large in spirit."

AND THE BEAT GOES ON...

September is proving to be prime island time. The days are sunny, the water is warm and the fish are biting. The Admiral and I spent a night on the hook at Hen Rock then it was off to Howland's Landing for the rest of our visit. The destruction at White's and Buttonshell from the storm Marie was not pretty.

The iconic Hen Rock.

This bad boy made for some very tasty fish tacos.

Howland's Landing.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

This weekend is a busy time on the water and today was no exception. Hundreds of boaters enjoyed a sunny day off Dana Point. The bridegroom battled the traffic to join me for an afternoon sail and to soak in the rays. The countdown to the big day has begun.

Our neighbor Doc waived as we left the harbor.

IS THIS A MINI-SIMMONS?

The Wedge 8/27/2014

MOTHER NATURE IS HUMBLING

The boat and crew were ready to go but the weather made us change our plans. Looks like we'll be staying in the slip this weekend.

SEMPER FIDELIS

It was an honor for me today to take out an active-duty 20+ year veteran of the United States Marine Corps (Mr. President: that's pronounced  "core" not "corpse"). The Lieutenant Colonel will retire in January and move to his farm in Tennessee, back to his soulmate, crops and cattle, definitely turning the page and beginning a new chapter in his life. Thank you for your service to our country Bear, OORAH!

We enjoyed sunny skies and a consistent 12-15 knot breeze the entire afternoon. Perfect day to be on the water.

Bear will be drivin' his tractor this time next year in Tennessee.

Thank you God, we survived another day at sea. 

  

THE SHARK HUNT

Captain Cabo joined me for a day of fishin' north of the point off Strands and the hospital. We trolled for thresher shark with no success. Cabo's leopard shark was released.

 

Captain Cabo in his home waters in Baja Sur East Cape.

THE ADMIRAL'S R+R IN CEDAR GROVE, KING'S CANYON

BEWARE OF WHITEY