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