FIRST GRAY SIGHTING

As luck would have it with three out-of-state visitors and two junior mates on board, we spotted our first gray whale of the season. That's always a treat. The cloudless sky provided enough sunshine to keep us warm as we sailed along the San Clemente coastline. It was a good day.

The Doc, Quinn and Heath

Junior Mate Rains

Josh and Randy

The crew, check out Quinn on the right trying to flash a shaka like his dad!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS..

..AND ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE.

The Admiral and I set raised the main for an enjoyable afternoon with clear skies and a red, small craft warning, flag flying over the Harbor Master's headquarters. A gentle 10 knot wind pushed us along as we kept an eye out for the migrating whales and inclement  weather.. No sightings today. Van Bro and Amy, recently engaged, were returning from a Panama vacation and snapped a pic from the air before their LAX landing. Small world.

Our view from the water...

...their view from the air

DECEMBER IN AVALON

Trip #102 found us in Avalon for five nights enjoying warm days, cold nights, long hikes, Christmas carols from the Bell Tower and discovering several new-to-us restaurants. The harbor and streets were empty of boats and people except for the two days the cruise ships laid over. Great time to be in Avalon if you don't like crowds.

 Hermit Gulch summit

THE ESSENCE OF THE HA-HA

What’s so great about the Ha-Ha? First of all, it’s the antithesis of sitting on the couch and waiting to die. The Ha-Ha is two weeks of living life to the hilt, 1,440 minutes a day, being scared out of your wits one moment and then experiencing super exhilaration the next. There is great sailing under spinnakers, challenging jibes, landing big fish, night passages, thousands of stars, flying fish, sunsets, moonrises, meteors, screaming down waves, rocking at anchor, snorkeling warm water, fixing the boat, big cities, isolated anchorages, hiking deserted beaches, live bands, dolphins, whales, and all in all big adventure. Life is not about things like cars and houses, it’s about experiences, and the Ha-Ha crams as many experiences into two weeks as is possible.

Except for Internet connections at Turtle Bay and Bahia Santa Maria, sailors are disconnected from the phony world of electronic devices and instead live in the real world of nature. And it turns out that the real world of nature isn’t so bad after all. In fact, it's what life is all about.

San Juanico, Baja California

A SERENITY NOW WELCOME TO OUR SOUTH AFRICAN GUEST

Joel, visiting from South Africa and Searle, visiting from Mars, joined the capt for an afternoon sail. A gentle 5-10 knot wind pushed us down the San Clemente coastline as we kept an ever vigilant eye out for the migrating grey whales. No luck. On our way back the wind died! Oh well, back to the slip for a quick dockside lesson in the art of stand up paddling and a delicious sandwich. It was a great day on the water for all.

Our Greeter

The South African at the helm with Dana Point in the background

The "Not One" master

First time up and he did not get wet

Today's motley crew

IT'S LOBSTER SEASON!

Over the years we've enjoyed our share. Here are a few pics of these evasive creatures.

This years catch

The Daytime Grabber

The Nesporado Crew: Van Bro, Jackpot, El Jeffe, the capt and Sailor Jerry

OUR NEW ADDITION

10' 2" T Patterson

Single or quad fin setup

NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE SAINT CLEMENT'S SAILING TEAM

The Doc and his crew joined us yesterday for a relaxed, sun shiny day on the water. I can safely speak for everyone...we had a blast!

The Doc and First Mate Heather

Second Mate Ruby Jane

Crewman Quinn

The First Mate striking a pose

Mates Raines and Clementine

Where's Quinn?

THE VAN DER MEULENS HAVE ARRIVED

It was our pleasure to host the Dutchman, Amina, Carla (Cedric's mom), Thijn and Thieme for an afternoon sail on a beautiful SoCal day. They're here on vacation from Amsterdam. The sea lions and dolphins did not disappoint and the weather was near perfect. Thijn and Thieme (pronounced Tine and Teema) had a blast as did the rest of the crew.

The crew

The Dutchman and Sailor Thijn

Mama with her boys

Sailor Thijn with a little assist

Cedric showing how it's done

Our youngest ukelele player ever

A MAGIC MOMENT

Nesporado Van Bro on the hunt

"LIVE FREE OR DIE"

We always enjoy visiting the Granite State and the Admiral's family and this trip was no exception. Most of our time was spent on Bear Island in Lake Winnipausakee. The only way on or off the roadless island is by water. If you saw "On Golden Pond" with Henry Fonda, you'll have an accurate idea of the beauty of this place. In fact, the movie was filmed on a neighboring lake.

This was the view as we first approached the dock upon our arrival. The cabin is tucked away in the trees.

This sunset set the tone on our first night.

The view from the cabin on a still morning. The mainland, at the top of this pic, is about a mile away.

THE 13TH ANNUAL

For the past thirteen years, Nesporados from all over the globe reunite for a Catalina adventure. This year the ranks were thin but Jackpot and the capt made the best of it. The warm water and sunny days made for some great snorkeling and lots of time to wet a line. Jackpot even started the trip by hooking a marlin and giving it a battle before the 20# test broke. The aerial display was quite impressive. We anchored in Eel Cove and dove Johnson's Rock, Parson's Reef, Indian Rock and Eagle Reef. Actually, Eel was as good if not better for snorkeling than all the others.

Jackpot hooked to a marlin

Eel Cove sunrise with Ship Rock and Saddleback Mt.

The 2015 Official Nesporado group photo

ANOTHER HOT ONE

The Jensen brothers and their families were scheduled to go out but a last minute accident prevented Bill and his side from joining us. We hope and pray for a quick recovery. And good luck to you Marilyn on your foot surgery this week.

Neil was right-at-home behind the helm. Actually, he sailed competitively for USC during his colligate days. Fight On! It was warm day and the air was light but it all added up to a great afternoon on the water. We even had a parade of tall ships slide by us at the end of the day. The rake-masted America was leading the way. 

Deckhand Luke keeping a watchful eye on the dolphins.

Skipper Neil at the helm.

The Jensen crew; Luke, Neil and Marilyn (the boss).

IT WAS A SIZZLER

One of the World's Best Crews.

How's this for the end of a great day?

The temperatures soared as we searched for some kind of breeze on the water. It was a hot and humid day but once underway, all was good. Plenty of conversation and stories made for a very pleasurable afternoon.

A LAZY LABOR DAY

Today's crew, Captain Cabo and Senora Debbie, recently returned from their five-month stay at La Abundancia on the east cape of Baja Sur. We had plenty of time to catch up, stay in the shade and not leave the slip on this extremely hot and busy day in the marina. At least there was a breeze.