San Diego

Monday October 31, 2005 LOCATION: Shelter Island, San Diego GOOGLE EARTH COORDINATES: 33 27.515N,117 41.438W
San Diego, our last stop before Mexico. We arrived at the Harbor Office early last Tuesday morning hoping to find a slip. We came knowing that the chances were slim as they are all taken by the 150 other boats that were entered in the Baja Haha. A boat race from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. The last one disappeared a minute before we got on the dock. As always it works out just fine. We were given an anchorage in Glorietta Bay which sits right next too the beautiful Coronado Hotel.
Wednesday we hit the ground running. We rented a car and headed straight for Sea World. We all had a great time but after seeing all the wild life in Monterey Bay Aquarium and the excitement of Disneyland it just wasn't the same. I would like to say that we had really been enjoying the rest of the sights of San Diego since then but it has been all work. We know the freeways better than I expected.
We have begun the learn the steps of an important dance around here that they appropriately name the paper work cha cha. We each had a few immunizations left to take care of. We needed fishing licenses for the boat, the dinghy and each person on board. We began the paper work for our Visa's once we enter Mexico. We have made oodles of copies of a forms we will need, might need and have to have. We have hit every marine supply store we could find and a giant provisioning day at Costco. Plan as we may, things often go awry and yet they always work out. The boys are getting a good lesson at watching their parents learn how to deal with things when they don't go the way they want.
Some of the best stories of the trip will always be the little encounters with generous spirits. The man in Oceanside who upon seeing the surf boards on the boat and meeting us, took it upon himself to run to the nearest surf shop, buy an amazing map of Mexico, have it laminated and delivered it to us. We met a guy in a dive shop who is originally from Seabeck. The next day when we realized an underwater light we purchased there was broken, they drove out to meet us as the dock and replace it since we no longer had a rental car.
We took it easy on the weekend. Tried to find places to store all the goodies on the boat. Cleaned house and spent some good time playing soccer in a nearby park. We enjoyed walking all over Coronado Island and of course never turned down the chance for a chocolate milk shake. Today we pulled up anchor early and headed back for the Harbor Office knowing that we had a good chance to get a slip on the dock. Once our space opened up we snugged ourself into the slip and ran back into town to tie up some loose ends.
Next came Halloween. We left our options open since we did not know exactly where we would be and the boys were beginning to get a bit worried. Tristan decided to celebrate each holiday with a quick climb up the mast and then we got creative quick. We put together the two headed crew member costume and Tristan and Matthew hit the docks to deliver treats this year. We were not sure that dock mates would be prepared, let alone aware that tonight was Halloween and thus have goodies to give so we decided it was time for them to receive. We scrounged up some goodies and went boat to boat. People were so surprised and we had a great time. Generously, each boat we visited dug deep and found something creative to donate to our goodie bag. When we got back to the boat it was a little different when we counted the loot; 2 cans of diet cherry cola, cliff bars, sugar free chocolate bars, some Twix and a box of Red Vines. Certainly a unique holiday for us. They boys had a fantastic time, we met some new acquaintances and delivered some much needed cheer.
One more day of provisioning and preparation and we felt ready to go. We celebrated Tristan's birthday with some new friends. Mexican food for lunch and dinner and chocolate cake. Who could ask for more! We had every intention of departing for Mexico within the next day or two but some marvelous and unexpected connections slowed us down. A couple from Bainbridge Island were staying in a nearby hotel when they saw our port name. Long story short, they offered us a key to their hotel to use the pool whenever we wanted. Very kind. They hope to purchase a boat and cruise in the near future.
While at the pool we met a family, originally from Austria, who have lived aboard their boat here in San Diego for two years now. You can get their whole story on the Schmit family web site www.lawur.com. (My favorite boat name yet pronounced "law vur", meaning bathtub in german I believe.) They have two boys, each a year younger than ours, and we have all been thoroughly enjoying each others company and friendships. Eager to swap stories and encouragement they convinced us to stay a little longer and we may yet convince them to leave the dock a little early. They hope to depart at the end of the month and will be celebrating their bon voyage party this Saturday. Thus we decided that's what this cruising is all about, Creating these relationships and experiencing life as it comes to you.
It looks as though we will attempt our departure Sunday. We will keep you posted.
love lisa and the boys