My favorite bird is still the Pelican. Industrious, respectable, amazing aerialist, kind of goofy looking but very capable. But the other day I was visited by a group of terns that were very interesting. I see them flying around but they always seem to be scavenging off of the pelican’s work so I disdain them as I do the gulls. The other morning I was at anchor outside the dana marina and peeked out to see several perched on my aft rail, chirping and squawking. I have never see them land ...

Overnight sail, and a whale of a tale

A few days ago I took a little overnight cruise, just out and back, not to anywhere specific, just to be out over night. Like camping out in the backyard. I have not had much experience with night sailing (1 over-night passage in Baja, and 1 early 3AM start) and it was a blast. I sailed out about 15 miles and then the wind died for the night and I just bobbed. No wind so I could not hove to and it was a very rolly night. I was safe, many miles from th...

I had a delightful visit from Amy and Aaron Bentley and their whole family this week. (Amy is my sister’s oldest daughter, Aaron is her husband, and they brought the whole family: Gage, Levi, Clair, and little Judd.). They live in Utah and drove down for a week at Disneyland. They called and wanted to visit me here on the boat in Dana. It was a beautiful calm sunny day, and we trussed all the kids up in life jackets and headed out in very mild conditions. We killed the engine outside the ...

Yesterday my dock buddy Bill and I headed out for a quick overnight cruise to Newport. We woke up this AM to the news of huge earthquake 10,000 miles away and a big wave coming our way at 8:30. We know it is safer to be out in the open ocean rather than in a harbor during a tsunami but we were told that the harbor had been closed for both in and out traffic. (We later find out what they meant was that the road had been closed, not the sea opening to the harbor…) Since we thought we couldn...

Flashback- Final Week Sea of Cortez February 2011.

After our crossing from Santa Rosalia to San Carlos, Steve needed to head back to the states. Diny and I still had some free time to play and decided to stay out for a while longer. Steve left the boat in our hands when he left, and she and I took off for another week of gunk holing (exploring bays and harbors along the coast) . Diny and I share many of the same ideas about sailing, we both preferred to sail rather than motor too much, and...