We left Avalon this morning around 5:30 a.m. in the dark. KC and I are still having to get used to the difference in sunrise and sunset times after being in Alaska. Variable winds and warm, 62 degrees. Throughout the morning we were in numerous pods of dolphin, we also saw another small pod of what we have thought were pilot whales but we're not exactly sure now, doing some research. We also saw two grey whales. The seas were fairly glassy most of the way from Avalon until about 8 miles outside of San Diego when we got perfect winds for the light air sail, so up it went! Rory, who has had our van for the last few months, arrived in San Diego earlier today with it, met with Bob the harbor master and got keys to the marina for us and then hung out waiting for us.

Our friend Bruce, the captain of the MV Marionette which is docked here in Mission Bay, came out to meet us. On his way out of the harbor he made a detour to pick Rory up and bring him out also. We got great shots of the Marionette and I believe they got some great shots of us also! We were initially going to transfer Rory to our boat outside the mouth of the bay but no one else but KC was up for doing this due to the waves. Bruce followed us back into the mouth of the bay where it was a bit calmer and Rory made the leap to our boat from Bruce's. Great transfer!

It seems very strange to be here. As I said to Bob, the harbor master, it only took us four years to make it back; his response, better late than never! I agree. 3,556 miles this last trip. 14,000 miles since we left SD four years ago. Hopefully alot more miles to follow!