In Mexican Waters

We left Ensenada around 9 am Nov 16 on our first overnight in Mexican waters. We enjoyed watching the whales during th day, as evening approached we fired up the radar only to find the Mexican fishing fleet (well only 6 boats) was in front of us. After taking evasive action we were no closer to them just closer to New Zealand , they were going the same way. During the night we were joined by numerous dolphins which rode our bow wave as we motored under a 1/2 moon sky and lots of stars arriving a
San Quintin at about 10:30 am on Nov 17. 

This morning Nov 18 we left at 6:30 am for Credos Island and or Turtle Bay. We should be there some time around 6 am on Nov 19. Since leaving San Diego we have had very little wind so a lot of motoring, however today we did get the spinnaker up for a while when motor sailing. Right now we have about 5 or 6 knots of wind with very flat seas so are still motor sailing. We continue to lean new things every day. Sea birds can stand on the water, that is if thekelp patch is thick enough. Well that's all for now as its time for me (Lynn) to have a nap.

We arrive at our anchorage on Credos Island and will spend the day here

GETTING READY TO TELL US 

TO BACK OFF

THIS LITTLE FELLOW TRYED TO GET ON THE BOAT

 Then  head to Turtle Bay.

We have been having a few computer problems with the computer we use to do email and position reports from the boat via the radio so if you do not ee a posting for a while don't panic as we may be limited to doing them only when we have internet access.

Ensenada

We left San Diego at 5:30 A.M. arriving in Ensenada around 5:10 P.M. We jumped on to the dock just as the last bit sun disappeared under the horizon. Poor Dolphin Tales was pushed very hard today. This will be the last time we push the boat or our selves this hard. From now on any trips over 45 nautical miles will become overnight passages. The anchorages on the west coast are very rocky and rolly so we would not be getting much sleep anyways. Since arriving, we have done the paper shuffle, it only took 90 minutes. They have set everything up in one building with numbers. 1 to 5 only problem being is that you go from one to three then back to one then over to 2 then back to three then back over to 2 then over to 4 if you need a fishing licence which everyone does on the boat if you have just one hook. Then it’s over to 5 where you push the button to see if you can stay in Mexico or if they need to search your boat. Yes we get to stay and no they do not have to come to the boat. People are friendly and very helpful, our little bit of Spanish seems to be helping and we are learning more as we go along. We had supper one night were drinks were 2 for 1 they supplied you with taco chips, pasta and salad, all for $8.00 U.S for the both of us. To get fuel they bring it directly to your boat in a 45 gallon drum with a baha filter attachted, pump it right there at a cost of $3.00 a gallon taxes in.

San Diego

San Diego

What a place, you could spend a month here and still not see all the sites
We spent 9 days with 4 of them devoted to boat chores. We were given free tickets to either the zoo or the wild animal park. We choose the Wild Animal Park where Lynn and I went on a 3 hour safari. There were only 6 of us on the tour so we had access to all sides of the vehicle. We took lots of video and over 500 pictures. As you can see we got to be very close to the animals. I have enough photos of the 15 different giraffes that I should be able to make a calendar. We also experienced some close encounters with a few Rhinos.

Our buddy boat Kaligan opted to just walk the park, which we did after the tour. We all had a great time. After hours here we had no desire to see the other zoo. But we did go to one of 20 Museums in Balbo Park.

We did go to the Midway which is a retired aircraft carrier which has been turned into museum. It took us 4 hours to see all of it.

We left for Ensenada on Nov 12, 2008.

San Diego Police Docks

We arrived in San Diego on Monday, tied up to the Southwestern Yacht club. Lynn and I decided to go into town to find a transit schedule. We hopped on the bus purchased a $5.00 day pass and proceeded to ride 4 different routes on electric  trains that they call trolley

THIS AREA IS CALLED THE POTATO PATCH WHERW YOU SEE THE CLOSER SAILBOATS

THE SOUTHWEST YACHT CLUB WAS JUST TO THE LOWER LEFT

RENTING A CAR OPENED UP WHERE AND WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO SEE

ys. After being on the rails for a good 7 hours we have decided to rent a car to hit a few of the tourist places we wish to see. This am we were up at 6:00am to move the boat over to the police docks where you only pay$10.00 for the 1st 5 days then $22.00 for the next 5. Most of the commercial marinas are $1.50 or more a foot so this place is a good deal.

Oceaside Yacht Club and Santa Catalina Island

We arrived in Oceanside on October 31st and were invited to a Halloween Party at the Oceanside Yacht Club. So we went as the token Canadians (wrapped in Canadian flags and Canada ball hats). Even the boats dressed up

Last night a pot luck supper was held on the dock just down from us so we met a few more very nice people.

Prior to getting to here we were in Avalon on Santa Catalina Island. A neat little town that at one point was the playground for the rich and famous. Years ago the Chicago Cubs had spring training at Avalon. The Cubs were owned by the Wrigley Gum people who owned a lot of the island. Mrs Wrigley loved to fish and was well known to have caught trophy catches, only problem was being a woman she could never be given the bragging rights, so she started her own group.     When you are there you tie up to a mooring ball that has two ropes on it. One for the bow and one for the stern. These rope have weights on them that make them sink when released from the boat.

 One of ours caught the rudder but missed the prop as we were leaving and was able to be released, however on Kalagan our buddy boat they released the bow rope first(wrong) and then the stern which then wrapped it self around the prop. Skipper Rick then had to dive the boat to get the rope off. All this at 7 am in the morning.

Debbie kind of store

HOT SHOWERS

HAD THAT HAT FOR MOST OF OUR TRIP 

We are leaving Oceanside on Monday and heading to San Diego were we will be for about a week, doing the tourist stuff and last minute shopping before heading into Mexico.