California or Bust - Missive 8

October 30 - Nov 4, 2010: We had a wonderful easy going week here in Avalon - it was paradise since it's off season with hardly any boats in the anchorage. November is downright hot ... we had temps in the high 80's and lots of sun. Hot enough to put up our sun shades!

On Halloween all the little ghost and goblins paraded down the waterfront parkway to the entertainment of all the adults. I would have never guessed there were so many kids in town.

We filled each day with one or two chores, a stroll in town, a nap, dinghy ride or some tourist activity. We found out that the buffaloes on the island were introduced back in 1924 when Hollywood brought them over as part of a Zane Grey movie. And if you have about $750,000 lying around in loose change you too can own one of the mooring buoys here in the harbor.

The casino is not really a gambling casino as we first thought; it's actually a theatre, ballroom and museum. "Casino" in Italian means "a gathering place". The community clock chimes each quarter hour which was very pleasant to hear except for the one note that was off key. The water is crystal clear showing off its large kelp beds, schools of fish, pelicans and sea lions.

Nita & Mike Conlon on Odessa joined our buoy neighborhood on Wednesday. It was great to see them, catch up on all the news and share in a delightful meal.
Our unique Pacific Northwest boats were admired by many local sailors.

November 5-8, 2010: I was sad to leave Avalon, it was feeling mighty comfortable but time to head for Dana Point to meet with family and entertain great nieces and a nephew. We got a short sail in before having to motor but no complaints as it was a lovely day.

The Dana Point Yacht Club is nicely placed at the west end of the marina area. A hubbub of activity throughout the harbor has kept us quite entertained ... walkers, paddle boarders, sailors, kayakers, jet skis, tourist cruises ... you name it. Dana Point Harbor is named after Richard Dana, author of Two Years Before the Mast. The harbor is home to the tall ship, Pilgrim, a replica of the ship Dana sailed on from Boston to California in 1834.

We were excited to see family especially the little ones Allie, Tristan & Bella, our great nieces and nephew. My niece Rachael & her husband Adam live in Lake Elsinore, a short drive from Dana Point. And my sister Mona & our brother-in-law Dick were down from Boise to babysit the crew while Rachael & Adam attend the birthday bash for the Marine Corps. Rachael had served two tours of duty while Adam is still active.

The last couple of days have been filled with multiple dinghy rides, fishing off the dock, watching cartoons, eating, walking and coaxing kids to take naps. In between keeping the junior crew in line, the adults managed to catch up on family news.

It was hard to say goodbye; the little crew members were sure fun to be around especially at the ages of 1 ½, 3 ½ & 11. But we hope to see them again while we spend a couple of weeks in San Diego.

Tomorrow it onward to Oceanside for a night and then to Marina Cortez in San Diego.