Catalina - Tue Aug 14 to Wed Aug 22

Tue August 14  -  Marina Del Rey

I met Vook (sp?) originally from South Africa. He is in his late 20s, with sun bleached hair and a cool accent and a friendly demeanor. He filled me in on the low income boat anchorage just outside the breakwater and all the crazy characters worthy of a reality TV show. Vook got a job as cook on a private 120’ catamaran (Sea Quest) with its own submarine (very cool). They were also heading for Catalina but we never saw them.

I rode my folding mountain bike along the Venice boardwalk to the Santa Monica Pier. It’s Murphy’s Law that I didn’t bring my camera because there were “Kodak moments.”  One photo would have been of the swami on rollerblades playing an electric guitar - he has been there since I was a kid (at least 30 years). I also would have video taped the double jointed break dancers. Venice beach is always fun to watch the performers and stroll the beach.

Wed Aug 15 – Family arrived Marina Del Rey.

The family arrived today and moved back into the boat. Its crowded again after being alone but its always nice to see the family. Unfortunately my stomach is off which may be a touch of the flu – nothing bad but it lasted 3 days. We got groceries, did laundry, and prepared for departure tomorrow.

Thur Aug 16 – Marina Del Rey to Catalina (Cherry Cove)

We departed Marina Del Rey at 7am and motored about 2 hours until the wind filled in about 9am off Palos Verdes Peninsula. We were visited by dolphins briefly which is always exciting. Sailed on a beam reach at 5 knots for 4 hours with only a 1-2 foot swell. The family was queasy but it was a perfect sail. We arrived Cherry Cove and tied to a mooring ($42-ouch) near the rocks. Did some snorkeling and relaxed for the afternoon.

Fri Aug 17 – Catalina (moved from Cherry cove to Emerald Bay)

The Levin family arrived at 9 am on their 40’ powerboat (“Chaos”) which I loving refer to as the “stink pot” since it burns so much fuel relative to a sailboat(sorry Aaron). Cherry cove was full so we moved to Emerald Bay which is slightly more exposed and not knowing better motored right over a reef luckily without hitting.  Emerald cove has beautiful green/blue water (due to the sandy bottom), a nice sandy beach, and an outer rock (Indian Rock) and reef for protected snorkeling. We spent much time visiting with the Levin’s on their “stinkpot” because of their relative massive boat space…and charming personalities of course.

“The Pudding Story”  (Don’t read this paragraph if sensitive to potty humor)

                I avoided telling this gross story when it first occurred but I have been encouraged to do so. So I told the Levin family about our little toilet issue just prior to arriving in San Francisco. Somehow the valve to pump out the pee container was left open so salt water filled the pee container and then overflowed into the poop container. So instead of a peat moss mix of poop with little moisture we had a toilet full of a black poop soup. Someone, who remains nameless but was a top suspect, had to scoop some of the “soup” out so it could be used until it could be properly emptied and cleaned upon arrival in SF. The Levin’s dubbed the mess as a “pudding” which made the story even more gross and has since been a point of humor.  

Sat Aug 18 – Emerald Cove

We began the day with a snorkel trip via dingy to Indian Rocks which are just on the outside of Emerald Cove.  Snorkeling was great with light wetsuits amongst thick kelp, Gerabaldi (protected orange state fish), and other small fish. Later Maya and I dingied to the beach and relaxed under umbrella in the hot sun. Dylan played with Avery with the kayaks and along the surf. It was a perfect day of beach and water time.

Sun Aug 19 – Emerald Cove

More swimming and beach time today. Wanting to experience female power, Maya tried the spear gun. She asked if I could try to shoot a fish that was below the boat. With little success lets just say the fish are safe from us.  The wind picked up a bit today so my family retreated to the stinkpot while I took the Levin’s out for a 2 hour sail. We had a beautiful sail at 5 knots while the Levin’s adjusted to life on a healing sailboat. It was their first sailing experience and had a great time helping tack and steer. Young Avery and Rene made great great crew. Papa Aaron was the perfect tourist with camera and ironed  dress shirt and Mama Debbie was sliding across the aft bench as we healed. I noticed that they stayed out of the head after the “pudding story.” 

Mon Aug 20 – Emerald Cove to Cherry Cove

“Chaos” and “Mariah” moved from Emerald Cove to Cherry Cove about 9 am. As we set out to explore by kayak, Aaron pointed out some flotsam along the shore. It ended up being a deflated and swamped inflatable tow toy for  4 people. I spent the next hour draining the water and salvaging the beast. I moved it to our deck to sort later. We next planned to dingy to the Isthmus with the Levins but the dingy wouldn’t start. After 2 hours work I was able to “mickey mouse” a fuel problem. We missed Debbie’s departure by ferry back to her work while her family stayed behind on Chaos.  We motored to the Ithsmus and strolled the ½ mile to Catalina Harbor on the other side of the Isthmus. It’s a dusty walk with cactus and sparse shrubs but no Buffalo to be seen.

Tue Aug 21 – Cherry Cove to Avalon

The Levins departed on “Chaos” for home while we motored against mild headwinds for 3 hours to famous Avalon harbor. There was a Carnival cruise ship anchored offshore so the small island community was filled with tourists. It was a hot day ashore without  the cooling breeze at anchor so we all got shaved iced and visited some of the shops. We then returned to Mariah where I patched and resurrected the inflatable tow toy which is actually a quite comfortable floating island. It would have been great on the Delta and earlier at Emerald Cove but beggars…. Another toy to store in the V birth.

Rented and watched Sherlock Holmes 2 in the evening. 

Wed Aug 22 – Avalon, Maya’s Birthday!!!

Strolled the shore and I completed my mission of finding a painted tile with fish scene to mount in the head (need to install still).   Will find a restaurant this afternoon to celebrate Maya’s birthday. I hope to eat a famous Avalon buffalo burger. Rented Hunger Games for tonight.

Thur Aug 23 – Return from Avalon to Marina Del Rey

Departed 7am and motored for 3 hours under high fog until wind increased and we were able to sail the remaining 5 hours. (8 hour total). Another great sailing day with calm seas. We sailed past a school of sea lions which couldnt keep up with us. We are back at Chase Park in Marina Del Rey for 2 days to visit family. Cheers from SoCal, Ken