Well, it's now official...Meridian is the 7th entry for this year's Baja Ha-Ha. For some reason, this rally has become a real focal-point for our cruise. Maybe because it adds a definitive, not-to-be-violated, set in stone starting date, maybe because it has been a dream of ours for years now, maybe because I plunked down $325 to sign up...I don't know, but it certainly looms large as "the" beginning of our trip.

We currently have the boat at the Encinal Yacht Club. Being in Alameda, the EYC is a great place to get some last-minute projects done (HAM/ ssb radio install, engine work, cabin fans, etc). Being in Alameda also means we are NOT in Richmond. Richmond sucks. Actually, Richmond blows...alot. Like 25 knots all day, every day. From the beam. Makes parking a 20-ton, high-windage boat very exciting. Once. Every time thereafter it just plain sucks. Like Richmond.