Well, it appears that the time has come to shove off the lovely dock of the San Diego Yacht Club and once again (and for the last time), head west. Hawaii, our destination, is 2300 miles distant. The wind looks perfect for the next few days; ~15 knots from the beam. The passage should be a little over two weeks, and we’re all excited to make land-fall.
Our time in San Diego has been amazing, and it wouldn’t have been a 1/10th as fun and fruitful if it weren’t for the generosity of a whole bunch of great people here. On our way up the coast approaching California we contacted fellow surfer and sailor Liz Clark, a San Diego native and all-round amazing lady, for some info on the city. Liz gave us tons good info on where to go, and put us in touch with her family. The Clark’s promptly became our ambassadors in San Diego; hooking us up with guest memberships to the San Diego Yacht Club, deals on boat parts, use of their car to provision the boat, and plenty of good conversation and smiles. They up-hold the best of Corinthian values! Thanks you Russ, Melissa, Kathleen and Liz.
In La Paz we met Charlie and Dan on Ohana and then buddy-boated up the Baja with them. We have Charlie Mackenzie to thank for our trip up to Grass Valley to speak with the charter school classes there. What a great opportunity to see a completely different part of the world. Charlie also very generously loaned us his car while we were in San Diego. It would have been absolutely impossible to do virtually any of the school presentations, meetings or beach missions without Charlie’s car. Thanks Charlie!
Scott from Surfrider San Diego took us under his wing early in our stay, showing us some good art, film and beer. Scott also submitted to being interviewed for our documentary, giving some much needed local perspective on marine debris in California.
Local surfer extraordinaire Anna Santoro gave us all the beta on where surf, when the local reggae bands are playing, and how to start a living-room dance-party at 2 in the morning.
Friends Chad and Janicke Swanson once again provided us a home-away-from-home, storage for our endless junk, and a much need break from the tight quarters on Khulula. We first met Chad and Janicke on the drive down to Mexico at the start of the trip three years ago. Wow, what a trip to see them after all the time and miles that have passed.