Hello friends & family, near & far. We hope you are all well this holiday season, and you are filled with joy & peace, wherever you may be. This is our first Christmas season home in San Pedro, in a few years, and we're enjoying being with family for the holidays.

Much has happened since our last post, and this new chapter of life has been quite exciting. We are expecting a little one, and we will become a family of 3 in early May! We don't know yet if it's a boy or girl, but our OBGYN tells us our baby is healthy and growing strong. We couldn't be happier, or more excited.

Kelita has just finished her first semester at El Camino College, studying emergency medicine. Next month she will be taking the national exam to become an registered EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). This is the first step in her long term goal of becoming a PA (Physician's Assistant). Her next step of studies will be to become an ER nurse, but that will be after babyhood in Spring. Robert's back on the corporate treadmill, working full-time at a tax firm, with the hectic days & hours of tax season looming. Oh YEA... we're definitely back in the r e a l world. But we are well, and we send you all our love. Merry Christmas, and may you have a wonderful new year. R&K.

Rounding the West End of Catalina, we set a course of 050 magnetic, to the entrance of LA Harbor, and our home port of San Pedro. The old familiar view of the Palos Verdes Peninsula unfolds before us, numerous lights dot the hillside, and the glow of a tireless city illuminates the harbor. Its a sight we haven't seen since we departed, nearly 3 years ago when we set off into the Pacific, just married, and excited to start a new life together.

Over the past 15,000 sea miles, we've grown together as we've visited 13 countries & island chains. We've met the most wonderful people, and made new friendships that will last a lifetime & beyond. We even met new family members in Guatemala. We've overcome unforeseen challenges at sea, learned so many new skills, had thousands of great laughs, and have made so many cherished, unforgettable memories.

Now, as we slip quietly into port in the darkness of the early AM hours, we wonder how we'll adjust to the routines of a shore-life again. For we know, we've been so fortunate to live a dream come true as it's unfolded before us on a daily basis these past few years. On Monday, Kelita will begin college courses in emergency/paramedic medicine, and Rob will be pursuing new employment opportunities. So, we'll both be quite busy for awhile, but we are not finished, as we both want and will set sail again.

We are both so humbly grateful to all of you who have supported us, loved us & followed us on this special journey. And, a special thanks go out to our beloved svFreedom, who has diligently kept us safe and patiently taught how to become bluewater sailors.

We have officially crossed our outgoing path. We have come full-circle as we find ourselves comfortably anchored in Little Harbor on the backside of Catalina. We spent our first week together here after getting married and enjoyed the peacefulness of the secluded little bay. We hiked the hills, saw buffalo & deer, BBQ'd on the beach, practiced our archery and relished in our new found freedom.

We're back again, and have found not much has changed. We reminisce on those early days just starting out, wondering what adventures lie ahead. Could we really pull this off, sail across the Pacific, make ocean passages, spend weeks at sea, keep Freedom & our dreams afloat? We've discovered that answer is YES. We have done it, lived it, cherished it and will never forget these past 3 years. The places, the friends, the storms & the beauty, the challenges and the palm trees, and the serenity.

Next stop will be our home port, San Pedro. And now we wonder, how we will fit back in to the hectic pace of the busy society we so happily slipped away from. Only time will tell, but we find comfort in knowing that Catalina, the Channel Islands & the Ranch are not too far away for us when the urge strikes again for some island time.

Sailing overnight from Morro Bay, we reached Point Conception in the morning and found a calm anchorage just off a beautiful little right point. We stayed for a week in this magic spot and had peeling headhigh waves that went for almost a 100 yards on most days. And, in the hills we were able to hike thru meadows with wild flowers, wandering deer & grazing cattle. This scenic area is the Hollister / Bixby Ranch with miles of privately owned, coastal CA ranchland.

After 8 days, we set sail for the Channel Islands, 24 miles away. While crossing, we were visited by pods of Humpback whales, dolphins, sharks & sunfish. We arrived at San Miguel Island, Cuyler Harbor and dropped anchor inside the little bay. Ashore, we walked right upclose to a sleeping group of elephant seals and then hiked up into the hills and found the monument / burial place of Joao Cabrllho, the man credited with finding California in 1542, whom we refer to as Juan Cabrillo.

After 2 windy days, we set sail again for Santa Rosa, but could not find a settled anchorage so we continued on to Santa Cruz. For the first time in almost 3 years, we've arrived at calm, beautiful destinations that we are already familiar with. We've caught waves at More Meadows, and snorkeled its clear waters & kelp forest. Anchored at Yellow Banks, we revisited the spot from where we first fantasized about sailing the Pacific together. Lingering in these majestic California anchorages of the The Ranch & Channel Islands have been a special stops for us as we begin to come full circle again.

Wow, what a crossing: it took 30 days in total, 3,200 miles sailed. It took two weeks to get up and over the High, which meant we had to sail from a latitude of Puerta Vallarta to almost Portland before we could head east for the CA coast which took another 2 weeks to cross. We had 24 days of good sailing, 4 days of no wind & had to motor, and 2 days of tough sailing through a Gale as we approached San Francisco. That Gale was hectic but fun at the same time.

As we dropped anchor in Morro Bay at midnight, the feelings of accomplishment, excitement & exhaustion overwhelmed the senses. We are so grateful for a safe & successful crossing. svFreedom performed fabulously, along with her team, including our 12 yr old crew member, Raymond, who did a great job managing his 4 hour shift each night.

Now, were in Morro Bay, enjoying the abundances of farmer's markets, long hot showers & sleeping through the night. We've got a good friends here, Arron Rittger & his family, with whom we'll spend time & enjoy the comforts of shore-life. Soon though, we'll be heading South for the Ranch (Cojo Point) and Channel Islands before our eventual arrival back in San Pedro this Fall.

Hard to believe we've lingered 8 months in Hawaiian waters, and today is the day we're sailing out across the pacific again, heading for the California coast. What are we thinking, you might be asking yourself, as we have pondered this same question for the past few months. But, this Fall will mark 3 years for us being out cruising, and it's time to get back, work again, studies for Kelita, and reconnect with family & friends.

Yet, spending these past few days on Kauai, anchored in Hanalei Bay, has been a peaceful way for us to prepare for this crossing. This is the kind of spot a sailor should not miss. It is the most beautiful Hawaiian bay we've seen, as it takes us back to the majestic Marquesan islands of the South Pacific, with towering green cliffs, at least a half dozen waterfalls in sight from the boat, an endless white sand beach lined with palm trees, and a beautiful right point breaking 50-100 yards long over colorful coral. Yes, an island dream. In fact, it is the home of 'Puff the Magic Dragon', who lives by the sea, in the land of Hanalei.

We'll post again when we reach CA. Mahalos to all our friends here in the islands and all the great memories, we'll never forget. We'll carry & share the Aloha spirit as we venture forth to distant destinations. Aloha Hawaii.