Barefoot girl on the beach

Lots of guys have a thing for a barefoot girl in a white dress on the beach (see Jimmy Buffet's "Where is Joe Merchant").  Fortunately, this one has been my girl for 44 years.  Taken at Algadones Bay in San Carlos Mexico on our 44th anniversary.

Return to Catalina

When we had boats in California, we used to spend a week every year at Catalina Island.  The last time was in 2003 with my cousin Larry and his wife Sandy.  We took them there on Iron Rose to compete in Catalina Triathlon. It was their introduction to sailing, and they decided to crew with us to Mexico. This year my son Jon got a great deal with a partial partnership with Mike, the owner and developer of a couple of electrically powered sailboats.  We took the Colombia 9.2 in the second photo to Catalina. First to Two Harbors and then to Avalon. It was Jon's wifes first time on Catalina and we all loved it.  The winds were favorable and for the first time I got to sail most of the way from the mainland to the Island (we always sailed back).  We free dove the underwater park, and I got to take the ferry for the first time as well.  A great weekend!

Cocktails in Martini Cove, Bird Entertainment, Soggy Peso

 We took the dingy to Martini Cove, so called because it is a popular place for cruisers to go for cocktails, the large rocks create shade in the late afternoon, and it is an easy dingy ride from the Marina.  We were entertained by the Great Blue Heron. When we returned to the marina there was a Great Blue Heron and an Olive Night Heron on the adjacent boats. We took Jon and Hamilton to the Soggy Peso for dinner. 

Good Crossing, Full Moon Party

 We had good sailing winds for the crossing from Santa Rosalia to San Carlos, and arrived at Bahia Algadones at around 4 pm.  We had anchored our first boat there in 1978, and spent part of August of 1990 at the Club Med which is no longer there.  We anchored off the Soggy Peso, one of the former Club Med restaurant locations, in time for the full moon party. The last photo shows the moon with part of San Carlos in the background and Linda's profile in the foreground.

And Still More dive photos

Yes, the dive with Hamilton and Jon was a highlight of the 2012 cruising season for me.  Here are some more photos.

More dive photos

Here is our novice diver, Hamilton, leading Jon and I into an underwater cave.   A rare photo of me underwater (I am usually the photographer). You can see what a relaxed dive Jon is.  In the last photo, Hamilton has a close encounter with the bull seal.

Hamilton's First Dive

My son Jon and I learned to SCUBA dive together, 25 years ago.  We both love it, and now, Jon's daughter, Hamilton, has been certified.  It was a big thrill for both Jon and I to make 4 open water dives with her off San Pedro Martir Island, off San Carlos.  She was relaxed on the first dive, even with sea lions all around us, like the big bull in the photo.  She is a fearless diver like her dad, and nothing seemed to rattle her.  We made another dive the next day out of our dingy in Marini Cove, just outside the Marina San Carlos entrance.  Not great conditions, but always fun to get wet with my grand kids.