PICS FROM SC ISLAND TRIP

Whitefish tacos coming up.

JR untangling a fouled anchor line.

Back at Willow Cove, Catalina Island.

HA HA CREW REUNION

It's been six years since this crew completed the Baja Ha Ha and the first time to take up another challenge, a passage to San Clemente Island. This is the 5th channel island out of eight that SV Serenity Now has made an overnight visit. Lying 60 miles from Dana Point the passage took us around 8-9 hours. We settled in at Pyramid Cove, aka "The Garage".  The fishing was excellent and the weather was too. After two nights at SC Island we sailed to Catalina and anchored at Willow Cove for another two nights. All in all, we traveled 140 miles, had plenty of time together to catch up, and to summarize in one word, the journey was "epic".

First time at San Clemente Island.

Look closely, this skipjack had plenty of anchovies in its stomach when we were filleting it. 

The crew L to R: The capt, El Jeffe, The Ranger and JR.

Willow Cove has become our go-to spot on the front side of Catalina.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETER

We had a get-together with Pete and Paige from the MV Pageant for Pete's 80th B-Day. To say he's an inspiration is an understatement. Keep truckin' Pete.

Our view from the slip for Pete's birthday celebration.

EVERY DAY'S A SATURDAY

With August coming to a close, it was a perfect time spend a few nights at anchor aboard Serenity Now. Our first night was spent at Danalina in our home port. Early next morning it was off to Emerald Bay in Laguna Beach for the day. It's a wide-open cove and we enjoyed a relaxing day there. We traveled north from Laguna to spend the night in Newport Bay, truly a boaters' paradise. Nice little get-a-way, what day is it anyways?

Dana Point

  

The Admiral on watch in Newport

This will get ya thru until dinner time

A WHALE OF A TIME

Two of Cal Poly's finest and brightest, Bronco Brian and Crewman Chris, joined the capt for an afternoon on the water. Brian is CP's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Chris is an Associate AD. We put the "Learn By Doing" concept into play as the visiting crewmen spent most of their time at the helm. Unexpectedly and serendipitously, we saw a spout on the horizon and we were able to track a humpback and a host of dolphins for a while. I'll post the whale video when Chris sends it. What a day!

Crewman Chris signaling for an inside fast ball.

ZIGGY GOES TO THE ISLAND

Ziggy is one of my longtime friends, college roommate, teammate and father to two of our godchildren, Bryan and Chris. He's also the creator of the delicious "Danny's Dip". It's been 30 years since he's been to Catalina so we loaded up the boat last week and off we went. Cove hopping from Willow, to Italian Gardens (a no-go for the night) to White's, and finally Ripper's, we enjoyed the island from Avalon to the Isthmus. The weather was warm but breezy and the water was perfect. It was a great time with a great friend and one we'll always remember. Oh by the way, Ziggy acquired his nickname (it was his idea) on this trip. While he was on the helm, we seemed to zigzag rather than sail a straight course. Well, at least we made it!

 

WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS AFTERNOON?

We were finishing up a job, it was a little after noon, and I asked my friend and contractor a simple question. "What are you doing this afternoon?" Keep in mind it's a gorgeous summer day, warm and the wind is blowing. His response, "Headed home to do a little work in the garden." ABORT, ABORT, ABORT. Let's go sailing! Super day on the water with a long time local and good guy.