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