Roger is 65!!!!

Roger turned 65 and is now all enrolled in Medicare---at least we think he is!! I am still working with Blue Shield to confirm automatic payments are in place. We may have to come back to the states just to get it all sorted out.

Rob organized a family present for Rog --a new rod and reel to replace the one that went with a fish on our last Ha ha adventure. Rob decided on a Shimano 2 speed gold reel and Shimano Tallus rod. He loaded this with 150 lb test after loosing another "big one" on the trip from Long Beach to San Diego. Rob does not really want to be a catch and release expert. Now there are no excuses expected. More to follow on this subject.

Joe had a great chat with Ina and got all caught up on family details including what she might be knitting next!!

We were lucky enougth to get the family together for a brunch at the Long Beach Yacht Club. You will notice that they seated us outside so we could make as much noise as we wanted. Beautiful day for the celebration too.

Ina brought Nolan down to celebrate. He is looking very strong and added great merriment to the gathering. Ina did not bring her famous brownies down.

Joe also got to hug Grandmother Mary. Don't ask about the get up he has on, way too long a story. He gave one of these T-shirts to Rog who said he would never wear it however he did and has never had so many positive retorts about a shirt he was wearing. Since then we have gone out and bought the video Fast times at Ridgemont High just to understand.

We all got to talk to Jennifer while we were gathered around the table. Jen had decided not to fly in for the event and we all missed her terribly. Roger just did not want her taking any chances because he has already bought Di a plane ticket for March of next year.

We loved having our new family join us for the party. Melissa, her mother Betty and sister Liz all enjoyed the beautiful sunshine we had. Yes Fred came down too

Somehow I did not get a photo with Gail and Bill Silva together so here is one with Gail, Roger and Fred--all parts of our new expanded family.

Paddle Boarding

After an afternoon on shore with the kids we decided it was time to try paddle boarding. We had a great time and shared many laughs. Rog was an instant hit--as in hit the water just moments after standing up. Stacy was the lucky photographer that captured this Kodak moment.

No Harm done. He would manage to get back on board.

Liz had the best balance of the group. She didn't fall until Joe just managed to nudge her board just a bit too hard Di even gave it a try!! Notice, I hold the paddle just like I am trying to stir a pot. Later I learned that one hand goes on the top of the paddle, who knew. Di did stay dry because she knew once she went down there would be no getting up.

Joe had a rather wet start, falling repeatedly at first. Although Joe is a fabulous surfer who would have thought paddle boarding could be different enough to be challenging. Melissa only went down in order to cool off. She wanted to check out this beautiful Stevens that had just arrived at the harbor

Stacy was the one who organized the activity and we were glad she did. You do notice that there is no picture of Rob on a board--he was over on his boat getting the traps ready to go out for lobster. We wouldn't see him for hours.

We finally decided it was more fun to sit on the boards than try to ride out the wakes from all the boats going through the harbor. Paddle boarding for novices should be done in a vary quiet bay not where there is as much activity as Avalon. Think we will all try this again one day behind Jen's house in warmer water.

The Fishermen Arrive

One of our goals while heading to Mexico was to spend time with all our family in Southern California. The kick off party was held over at Avalon and started on Friday late in the afternoon. We had expected the boys around 1pm but did not know in fishing talk that meant when they ran out of bait or lost the big one. Yes Rob had Walter on the line and he kept insisting he was a 50lb white sea bass. Rocks or seaweed would have never made the line run out like the hit Rob said he took. This was the only fish we saw all weekend and a great deal of time was spent fishing!!!
Actually, Rob and Joe went out for lobster on opening night and did bring home one legal size lobster that we enjoyed after all the kids went home.

Joe arrived with the perfect beer cozzies--Volcom in Paradise in teal to match the boat. Mom quickly absconded with all he had.


Heading to shore was always a big production, no way you could get seven in our dingy and the shore boat was way to expensive for all of us. Maneuvering around the dingy dock took some expertise so Rog was always willing to escort the girls.

Once we got ashore one of our goals was to find the best "Buffalo Milks" and Rob was convinced it took an entire pitcher to properly test the mix!! We found the best were at the Dollar Taco-$2.00 beer stand next to the golf course. Unfortunately we found this spot after the kids went home so we tested it with Marilyn and Eric. They also agreed that these were the best drinks on the island. Tacos were very good too!!

Stacy came over on a later ferry than Melissa and her sister Liz but was quick to get caught up on all the family gossip. It was here that we decided to rent paddle boards later in the day and I will post those pictures later.

Sleeping arrangements were a little tight with 5 guests on board but it worked. Rob and Stacy took the dinette while Joe slept on the two reclining chairs after Roger laid out a cockpit pad for him. Melissa and her sister Liz were very comfortable in the forward berth. Di was just grateful that no one came to visit and saw how quickly our boat turned into a college dorm room.

Yes, Joe is sleeping on the reclining chairs!!!

Sunday morning was spent catching bait fish for the trip back home. Stacy had wisely taken the 10am ferry because she knew there would be some stopping at kelp paddies if she had taken Rob's boat home. As it turns out, at one such stop a very large whale decided to make an appearance right next to Rob's 17ft boat. That is no fish story. Melissa and Liz spent the morning on a 3hr bike ride up and down the hills of Catalina Island that left them a bit exhausted. They recommended Di not try the trip.

The weekend came to an end just as it had started, the boys leaving in Rob's boat. Lots of fun was had by all, the boat could be cleaned and was no worse for the wear. Mom will recover from an evening spent with her sons at The Marlin Club.

Beautiful sunshine

We left Ventura Yacht Anchorage after a beautiful visit. We had sailed down from Santa Barbara in complete fog and we were going to leave in full sunshine. We had accomplished everything we had wanted during the visit including a fabulous retirement dinner with Frank Butler and Sharon Day. Before dinner we introduce Frank to Wii golf on our boat. He was a fast learner and after three holes was already a stroke ahead of Rog. Bob Namn and Jan were fantastic hosts with assisting us with our sail repair, trips to Costco as well as our trip to Fry's electronics. We are learning that cruising is really about boosting our internet signal more than repairing the boat in exotic places.

You will notice the sun on the water--we loved it even though we were leaving around 8am!!

Di found that she could continue to search the internet by using her Ipad--thank you so much Howard. Rog is still learning how to navigate without too much help. Notice the Uggs--not too warm just yet.

Rog took a few moments to check in with family and friends. Six hours of motoring gives you all the time you need.

If you look very close you will see the dolphin right bow roller. We saw hundreds on this leg, quite exciting. We also saw a large shark sunbathing but were not fast enough to click a picture

You can see that there was not much wind or waves. We had great flat water and warm sunshine so we are very happy.

Just beautiful sunshine on the water, what we had been looking forward to and now it is coming true. The lower the latitude the better the attitude.

Di was very happy at the helm as she brought the boat into Marina Del Rey.




Summer has finally arrived on the first day of fall in Marina Del Rey and we will here for four days before we head over to Catalina Island on Wednesday. We plan to meet up with Terry and MichelleNot much work planned while we are here, the boat is in great shape.

Just a little more fog

We loved walking around the Santa Barbara Marina but it was not what we were expecting in the way of weather. We woke to total fog every morning with clearing some days and not others. Was not exactly what I had in mind when I asked Rog to bring us down to Southern Cal.

As we got ready to leave last Sunday around 11am for our four hour trip to Ventura we were not sure what was in store for the passage. We did know that we were leaving in complete fog and had no idea that it would get worse just outside the harbor. We never saw any of the boats that were anchored just outside of the harbor entrance. We also missed the oil rigs--never saw them and we passed within half a mile!!!


Marilyn was happy to be finally adding a little more fuel to the boat. They had not gotten fuel since leaving the Bay Area but are happy to report fuel consumption of less than a gallon per hour. Take that you power boaters. Our burn rate was slightly higher than there.

Just past the oil rigs we thought we had finally left the fog behind, blue sky and coastline. It does not get any better than that for a cruiser. However this would not last long as you can see in the next photo. After less than two miles we found the heavy fog again.

Those are not clouds up ahead but more fog!! and right down on the deck!!! No, I want sunshine. At this point I actually called ahead to the Catalina dealership in Ventura to make sure we would be able to find our way into the harbor. No worries--full sunshine ahead.

We gave Full:Shell the honors of leading the way into the Harbor, and what a welcome sight it was!! Our sea conditions have been beautiful compared to other cruisers that we have talked to so I should stop complaining but really.

Arrived in Santa Barbara

We left Morro Bay around 3am on Tuesday morning with Full Shell right behind. There was a bit of fog as we left the harbor but we got out without an incident almost. When Rog went forward to bring up the fenders the boat decided it want to go right back home. She turned herself around 180 degrees before you could blink an eye or get to the helm to straighten her out. After a little fright and a few choice words Di's Dream once again headed off on the correct course with few complaints from the crew--Di. It turned out to be a beautiful night to head south with very light winds, no waves to speak of and little fog. We continued under these conditions around Pt Arguello.

Once south of Pt Arguello we did put up all the sails with the hopes of picking up a bit of boat spead. We saw up to 18knts of wind and surfed a few small waves at 9knts. A wonderful rounding of Pt Conception. We stayed within two miles of the coast and enjoyed a great ride in full sunshine

Eric was still following us south on this beautiful afternoon

We actually arrived in Santa Barbara to a very full marina. Not a slip was to be found although we saw many of our Marina Village friends already safely tied up, El Tiburon was the first to great us as we pulled in. The Harbor Master was a wonderful help and took Rog on a exploritory trip around the marina until they found a spot to slip us in between two other boats on the pump out. It was ok, we were tied up.

We woke up Wed morning to a beautiful sunny day and decided to head into town for a little shopping trip. The boys were taking the tram to West Marine and the girls headed off to Nordstoms for a bite of lunch. We will not post who had the more succesful shopping trip but I can not report what safety item I found!! All the girls had necessary purchases.
I must digress for a moment to mention the beautiful dinner we had on Full Shell the night before we left Morro Bay. Marilyn had spent the day simmering the sauce for her lasagna, there was a bit of help from Eric too, and preparing other goodies too. Way too much wine was enjoyed by all of us.

Catching up

In a previous blog I mentioned our plan to check out all the great breakfast spots along the coast so that we could recommend them to other cruisers. We loved LouLou's on the Pier!!! Very handy. You will notice that we are sitting outside in shirt sleeves in beautiful sunshine. This would not last long as you will notice in the following pictures.

After rounding Cypress Point the fog descended upon us in a big way. No visibility and plans to go into Stillwater Cove were quickly aborted. Next stop San Simion with an estimated arrival time of midnight. Fog was so thick we had to enter in single file using radar and chartplotter.

We did arrive by our midnight calculations but it took us a little longer to drop anchor, tequilla for all by 1am. We cheated death one more time.

We did have a couple of hours without fog surrounding us on our trip south but you will notice that is was never very far away!! And down on the deck. However it did not last long much to the dismay of Marily, Pam and Di.