Looking for a Catamaran Cruising Blog?

If you found this blog via a link from a cruising site ~ we did cruise Mexico on our Ocean 49 cat for a season. See the first text box on the right for links to our preparations, trip down Baja, life in Mexico, cruising and trip back up to SoCal. Unfortunately we are back to the grind in the USA...

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Weekend at Bernie's Margi's

Finally, finally, finally after two years we had some quality time with our wonderful friend MARGI!And her goofy dog, Sophie.We enjoyed a full weekend of good food, long conversations, fine wines, hot tub sitting interrupted by having to attend a wedding, sleeping in, playing with the dog, music, awesome breakfasts and a designated driver when we headed off to our good friend's wedding in downtown Santa Barbara!









We enjoyed her neighbors.
Her view.
Her guestroom.
Her company.
Her flowers.












We enjoyed her backyard.
Her convertible.
Her dog.
Her.
We enjoyed her.

Boatyard Basics 101



Ok, I understand why this is in the boatyard.






And I understand why this is in the boatyard.








This too, I understand.






And I sorta understand this one.But I do not understand this.Is this for Boatyard Basics 101?
Sanding & Bottom Prep B?
Advanced Painting & Spraying Techniques?
Blocking Basics?
Mast Unstepping & Stepping for College Preparation?
Gelcoat Generics?
What?

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

New Boat "Shinola" "Shining Star" Arrives!

From Columbia 50' to Hershine 41'.
It's the natural progression.
Sailboat to trawler.
But for some of us, there is a catamaran in the equation.
For Dave and Cherryl, "Shining Star"!
Even though we named it "Shinola"...
And if you think about it real hard, you may be able to guess what we named their dinghy!


They just had to have the word shine (stemming from Hershine) in there somewhere.

So on a nice Saturday in the neighborhood, one finally free from rain and wind, we went on a trawler ride from Channel Islands Harbor to Ventura Harbor.


Dave drove.
We sat.
Boys had beer.
Girls talked.
Dolphins swam at the bow.
Smooth ride.
Entered Ventura Harbor.
Went to pump out station.
Waved at Randy.
Waved at some chick Brian's dating.
Parked.
Celebration!
Champagne was brought over, but we skipped it because we had to do the five car shuttle between harbors.

So in true new boat fashion, an evening party and celebration transpired.
Including the awesome cake decorating skills of omg, what happened to this? no one...Really, this originally said:
"Congrats Dave & Cherryah forget it"
Really.



Finally had that champagne.

A dozen people over.
Drinks.
Food.
Congrats card to Cherryl and Daveyboy from the crap cake decorater me and Jimmylee.With persistant precision petting, Bella got the stupid cat to understand this was the cat's new home.
Poor brainless cat had been living at Island Packers office the last month or so.
HA HA HA!!

Relaxed on the recliners.Yes, recliners.
RECLINERS!
Now the sailboat to trawler transition make sense, doesn't it?

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Tired of Being a Human?

Tired of going to work?
Tired of the endless bills?
Tired of paying taxes?
Oh ~ check out the date...
Everyone's favorite day of the year!
Tired of washing dishes?
Doing laundry?
Ok, you get the idea.
Well, you too canReally.
Just head on down to the California Science Center.
Put your hand through a glove into a net and try to catch ping pong balls as they fly around in a plexiglass box.
Really.
I was a barnacle.
For about 18 seconds.
I don't need to be one again.

Next?
Watched the Little Feat little feet on the starfish on the glass.This I liked.
Did this for more than 18 seconds.



Then watched the kelp sway.

And the fish swim.

Pretended I liked to scuba dive.





Missed the Imax movie, but enjoyed the outside of the theatre.


Ok, enough of the CaSciCenter.

Off to Anaheim to meet up with two of the lord knows how many nieces!
With children!

Kim was here from Nevada with her husband Billy and kids, Brandon and Courtney.
Elizabeth drove down from TO (yeah, about 1/2 hour from where we live...) with her kids Charlie and Jacqueline.

So party at the pool.

Drinks.

Entertained by swimming children.


Uh, what do you say to a 7 year old when she asks, "Can you do this?"Well, I apparently said the wrong thing when I replied, "No, but the boys sure will like you when you are older" as mommy Elizabeth of said 7 year old told me that's not what you tell the mom of little girl.
While mom of little girl was laughing.

Dinner at the hotel.
Big table.
Everyone ate like pigs.
Starving!


Party in our room.

Except for wise Billy.

He bailed and went to his room.

UNO tournament.

Kids.
One not related to us.
Watched Disneyland's fireworks from our window.
Kids falling asleep on our bed.
Didn't want the night to end...









Next day?
OH GAWD, there's more?
Watched Courtney and not-the-relative Taylor get over-the-top made up for their cheerleader competition.





















Jim joined the cheerleading squad...






Then back through Hell-A where we stopped at the Museum of Natural History.
Right next to where I was a barnacle the day before.
Hey, if we have to drive through Los Angeles, I am going to kill as many pigeons birds as possible with the one tank of fuel!




This time giant dinosaurs!




Giant fin whale skeleton!Uh, now I know why we turn our boat away from whales...

Monday, April 5, 2010

Glad This Is Over...

Figures we pick a 25+ knot day to haul.
Ugh.
Read title.
Appreciate.
Appreciate husband's driving skills.
Appreciate co-worker along for the ride as line handler.


Boat swinging in the wind.

Fun to park in 25+...

Appreciate it's over once again.

Details to follow.