Daily Archives: November 14, 2014

People!

While nature is a ‘scape’ hard to rival, the other scape that has become surprisingly dear to us has been the people-scapes we’ve traversed.  When we set off on our adventure, I imagined solitude on the ocean, swimming, wave-playing, hiking, being in nature, and having close-knitting experiences with Ted and Josh.  So far, we’ve spent far more time in cities & towns than anticipated.  I recall after arriving in the San Francisco Bay area that after about 3 days, I felt ready to head out again.  It was just a bunch of buildings, touristas, shops, fast catamaran ferries, hustledy-bustledy.  Then we met Bart on a dock in Sausalito.  A concept designer who recently spent time in Vancouver, living temporarily on a sailboat, who filled in lots of interesting history and local stories.  Bart was one of our first people connections that made the SF Bay go from a faceless anonymous place to one of greater depth and texture.  You could read more stories and experiences into the place you were in allowing a sense of affection for the place.  Unexpected, but wonderfully found in a cityscape.  Several dear characters have shown up in our travels: Liddy and Bill in Tiburon: which we especially appreciate for telling Josh about the Five Year Plan (which involves leaving his parents blissfully ignorant of any errant questionable activities for 5 years) and for being super generous; Frank in San Diego who found us on the dock and saved us hours of time getting ready to head into Mexico, but best of all entertaining us with his funny stories and ‘casual’ driving style. Love you!  What a great feeling to head off into Mexico with many happy memories of what open, generous, happy spirited neighbours we have!

Ensenada

Not that we planned it, but arrival in Ensenada was the day before the Baja 1000 was to start. This is considered a holiday in the town and it was a carnival of people, noise and partying.   The great thing about Ensenada is that cruiser community is here, we have met may travellers all headed south, a great cross section of people that are all very helpful and generous.  Josh and couldn’t resist taking in some of the Baja 1000 starts, which resulted in the following vid which does a better job than words explaining the whole scene.

Another day of getting a few food supplies then we are off south, winds look good for a few days so we will take advantage.  We are still immersed in a constant flow of change , every day is new moving the mind closer to “Adesso”  ( the now ). Now I know this is the true gift of cruising.

Rigging Repairs

On arrival in Mission Bay where we anchored for a couple of days before heading to Southwest Yacht Club, I noticed a blot on the deck.  Hum- where could that have come from, we the boom vang attachment to the boom right above was coming loose.  In fact two bolts were missing (on the deck) and others were loose.  This needed repair which involved new bolts and epoxy metal.  As usual this caused me to inspect the area a little closer, the results were rebuilding the cheek blocks for my main reefing and the main traveller shackle was bending and stretched.  A little help from Downwind Marine and the rigger across the street resulted in all the parts needed. I feel MUCH better about having these parts refreshed.

Channel Islands to San Diego

Picked fresh!

Picked fresh!

We enjoyed the nature, hiking and swimming offered by the Channel Islands (Santa Cruz & Catalina) with Yellow Banks anchorage on Santa Cruz being our favourite. It was an almost empty anchorage which offered a little surf for Josh to play in, a good hike over to the next bay where we explored an old out-station that had an olive grove, and we picked fresh limes and oranges.

 

 

 

Catalina Island

Next to Catalina Islands, where we really enjoyed the snorkelling, hiking, and swimming in beautiful clear turquoise waters.

Great views are offered at the top of the Catalina Island.

Great views are offered at the top of the Catalina Island.

Ahhhh, a beautiful flower amongst the thorns!  This is a prickly pear; no metaphors here!

Ahhhh, a beautiful flower amongst the thorns!
This is a prickly pear; no metaphors here!

After dragging Ted on another hilly hike, I forced him to throw his arms up in celebration! A long suffering man….

After dragging Ted on another hilly hike, I forced him to throw his arms up in celebration! A long suffering man….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avalon at sunset.

Avalon at sunset.

On to San Diego!

We so appreciated the reciprocal moorage offered to cruisers who hold memberships at yacht clubs near their own home ports. Southwestern Yacht club was simply wonderful to stay at!  Frank, who found us at SWYC, was a fantastic host.  He saved us hours and hours of time in San Diego helping us get ready to head into Mexico. He provided us with great information, entertaining stories, entertaining driving (lots of driving!), San Diego history, and he showed us where to get a great beer.  He and his wife joined us on Adesso for dinner.  Good memories!

Sharing dinner with us.

Frank and Nora sharing dinner with us.

Gate at the yacht club

Gate at the yacht club