ADVENTURES OF SEA WHISPER
Victoria to Ensenada Mexico


From crusty cold sea waves to the grandeur of San Francisco Bay, welcoming yacht marinas and Yacht clubs and Military harbours, the journey from Victoria harbour to the town of Ensenada near the Mexican border has been adventurous and so interesting.

After 5 days at sea it was so exciting to catch sight of that famous landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge, red and boldly erect in San Francisco Bay. Craig, Marissa, Lionel and I had fun standing on the foredeck as we sailed under the big bridge. It was time to rest up, cleanup, scrub the boat and complete some minor repairs on Sea Whisper.

In the magical city of San Francisco we walked the hills, rode the trolley cars, visited the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and ate Chocolate sundaes at Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory.

At the Sausalito and St. Francis Yacht clubs, founded in 1942 and 1886 respectively, there was a hub of activity as the ‘BIG BOAT RACE’ series took place in September in the Bay. These racing yachts were so sleek with crews of 15 – 20. They looked like cheetas ready to sprint standing still! As friends of ours were racing this series in their 45 ft. racing Beneteau we took particular interest in the racing fleet and excitement. Wind in the Bay was extreme, four days of hard competitive racing, many thrills and a lot of broken gear. Yacht builders were working through the night to repair rigging and masts.
Can you imagine the costs of repair? It was fun to visit St.Francis Yacht club on the final day. The beer was flowing and the sailors were spinning their yarns!! More thrilling racing coming up when San Francisco plays host to Americas Cup in the summer of 2013.

We had some overnight passages as we charted our course from San Francisco to Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, New Port Beach and San Diego. Sailing across San Pedro Harbour at 2100 hrs. in thick fog we discovered 168 targets on our AIS (automatic identification system). This harbour is one of the busiest in the world with Naval ships, Pilot boasts, freighters and fishing boats. We picked our way safely through all this traffic and landed safely in Newport Harbour at 0100 the next morning

We have ridden our stainless steel folding bikes through picturesque towns with tree-lined streets and along sunny beach paths with palm trees stopping at cafes, icecream stands and fruit and vegetable markets….the best corn we’ve ever eaten from the Santa Barbara street market and the best seabass at Seafood City in San Diego. In New Port Beach between Lido and Balboa Islands, the beautiful harbour and canals set the stage for thousands of opulent homes with mega yachts parked at their canal front yards. A few for sale signs peaked my interest as I tried to guess what the price tag might be.

San Diego’s huge harbour is graced with beautiful parks, yacht clubs, Naval ships, military war ships, and gigantic aircraft carriers…….war giants of the US military. How small Sea Whisper appeared rounding Point Loma sailing beside a monster Aircraft Carrier. The inner harbour majestically displays ‘The Star of India’ berthed front and center at the cities waterfront. This classic gem was a trade vessel built in England in 1882, and as recent as 1940 hauled fish up and down the West coast to American markets.

On a visit to Cabrillo National Monument and the old Point Loma Lighthouse, we learned about the Spanish explorer Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on the west coast of U.S.A. The lighthouse welcomed sailors to the harbour from 1855 to 1891. The lighthouse keepers worked 24/7….just like the crew of Sea Whisper at sea offshore! Only we do not have oil lamps to light!


Disneyland…yes I got to see Mickey mouse and all the gang. I couldn’t believe it when Lionel surprised me on my Birthday, put me on a bus and of we went to the Magic Kingdom.

Connecting with family and friends in Sausalito, Santa Cruz, Hunting Beach, San Diego and Coronada has brought us great pleasure especially a surprise invitation to a Vietnemese wedding in San Diego. The family whom we met on Phu Quoc Island in January of this year. 400 guests, a 10 course dinner, glitz and glamour, Hennessy brandy and exotic dancers with pythons strung around their necks! A far cry from the average Canadian wedding!


My 8 year old grandson was asking about the wildlife we have seen. Dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles and mammoth blue and grey whales have entertained us along the way. As I am writing in my journal today, two enormous grey whales powered close by us spouting through their blow holes. Glorious sight! And also this morning we passed by a herd/pod of sea lions sleeping in a circle with their flippers in the air. We have also seen a variety of birds, the funniest of which are pelicans that dive bomb into the water. They really scare you with their noise.

Sailing with Yacht Jock Lionel is quickly honing my skills: from navigating, operating sophisticated navigational equipment such as AIS (automatic identification system), charting courses to hoisting sails, adjusting rigging and sails with changes in wind direction and velocity. Much of this brings me back to my racing days in the 70’s and 80’s. It’s all good. Lionel says I’m doing o.k .and can stay for another day or two!

We’re busy with life onboard; cooking, cleaning, shopping and swabbing the decks. We are keeping in shape we hope. I take time for my Yoga practice, Lionel participating occasionally. We dragged a fishing line today and stupendo….2 yellow tail tunas!! Mine 14 lbs. and Lionel’s 11 lbs. Brava!

It’s hard to describe the incredible feeling of sailing 15-20 miles offshore with the wind taking you on your journey. It’s peaceful,tranquil, it’s fresh, it’s organic! Another world. We’re loving it. And now in sight are the hills of Ensenada, Mexico. The white houses on the hillside are shining at us in the afternoon sun. We’re excited as Sea Whisper with her bold Canadian flag enters the harbour. We see the huge red, green Mexican flag with its eagle and serpent welcoming us. The sun is warm….soon it will be time for a warm corn tortilla.