We are off to see the wizard, or whatever appears along the way!

We left Alamitos Bay in dense fog on January 3.  I asked Leif if we were out of the jetties yet, and he said "Oh yes, we're off of Seal Beach".  Thank heavens for radar!  We headed for Newport Beach, not such a long way, but still a beginning of our new journey.  It stayed socked in fog until we were off of the Huntington Beach power plant.  Arriving at the American Legion Yacht Club in Newport we tied up to the guest dock and sorted out the boat.  We had two days of friends dropping in to visit and help send us off.  Thank you to: Craig, Liz, Steve, Muffy, Marlane, Chris, Beverly, Steve, Koren, Greg, Lon, Mark, Maria, Susie, Craig and Shelly.  We are truly grateful for all of our friends.

The American Legion Yacht Club in Newport Beach at high tide.

  On Jan.5th we left Newport for Dana Point, and had a hot, sunny sail which reminded us both of our final destination.  It was amazing to be sunbathing in January!  We arrived in DP at 3:00 p.m. and anchored for the night.  Morning arrived early, 4:00 a.m. our alarm clocks went off and we left by 5:00 a.m. bound for San Diego, and Southwestern Yacht Club.  On our way down we encountered several whale pods, one of humpbacks and one of grays near Point Loma, and another near Laguna Beach farther north.  It was a wonderful sight to see, and very uplifting as we set off.

Leaving Newport Beach for the last time.  Fashion Island in the background.  Such an odd feeling!

 

Sunrise over Camp Pendleton and Oceanside on our way from Dana Point.  I love being at sea in the mornings, and even seeing the stars prior to sunrise.  It makes me feel alive. 

 Southwestern YC is a welcoming yacht club, with a new clubhouse and our friends Tom and MaryEllen there to catch our lines as we arrived.  It seemed like old times as the last time we were here, we were on our way back from Mexico, and there were Tom and MaryEllen to welcome us.

Gray whale off of Point Loma, crossing our bow.  We stopped.  

   We spent three days at SWYC, some spent at T & ME's home and some on the boat.  Great food, great friends, and a fantastic West Marine store.  Our friends Jan and Dave from the yacht Pendragon also live down here and we got together for a fun time catching up and seeing their new Beneteau 473.  It's going to be hard to leave, but the best news is that Tom and MaryEllen are going to join us for the trip to Ensenada!  Tom and Leif are like two peas in a pod, both design boats, love sailing and can talk all day about past boats.  MaryEllen is a fantastic cook, and I'm hoping to learn a bit from her.  She and I get along so well, I even got my hair cut again by her stylist.
  We are moving to San Diego Yacht Club tomorrow, then off to Ensenada on Sunday.  Tomorrow we plan on playing Mexican Train at T& ME's and another lovely evening at their home with their mom who's 95 and doing well.