We went for a day tour with friends Craig Lewis and Ceci Frasca. We met Craig and Ceci in Marina del Rey. Tlhey now live aboard their boat in San Diego San Diego – California
Juan Rodriegez Cabrillo explored much of the California coast. He died on his famous voyage and was buried at San Miguel Island just south of Point Conception, California The view from the top of Poiint Loma was spectacular San Diego – California
Last of the Tall Ships was “Californian”; another elegant vessel from a bygone era San Diego – California
Cindy & Ty with “HMS Surprise” San Diego – California
Somethin’ tells me it’s all happing at the Zoo! San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
Not on the same day, but on a get away to “El Norte” while getting our mainsail repaired. We took the opportunity with Linda and granddaughter Shelby to go to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. This was our favorite of the two venues as it mimicks quite well the natural habitat of most of the animals on a much larger scale. There are two of the worlds only eight remaining Black Rhinos here. Needless to say, they’re trying to make more. San Diego Wild Animal Park – Escondido, California
We took several day sails up and down the San Diego Bay. One of her jewels is the Coronado Bay Bridge connecting Downtown to Coronado San Diego – California
Coronado Bay Bridge in the background……..”Beach House” touring the Bay (Every once in awhile, Cindy lets me drive……..:) San Diego – California
You can just imagine what Ceci’s photo of me taking her picture looked like……….) San Diego – California
Two humps are Dromadaries. One hump is a Bacterian………Camels all! San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
African or Indian…….I can’t remember. One has bigger ears than the other. Elephino? San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
We went for a day at the world famous San Diego Zoo. Most of these photos will speak for themselves. A boating note. When we took delivery of our boat in France, thousands of Pink Flamingoes were aloft as the area near Sette, France is home to migrating colonies San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
The four proud ladies……on Parade San Diego – California
The Wilson Family stopped by for a visit here at SDYC……… From left: Emma, Teresa, (the usual suspects), Ryan, Bill and Mom (Connie) Love this stuff!…….. San Diego, California
Ceci, Craig, Cindy, Ty & Oscar…..Phil’s BBQ in San Diego is THE BEST San Diego – California
San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
HMS Surprise on the San Diego Bay San Diego – California
HMS Surprise leads Star of India home in the San Diego Bay San Diego – California
We couldn’t leave San Diego without a visit to the famous Hotel del Coronado San Diego – California
The grounds are lovely at the Hotel del Coronado as is everything about the place. AND, it has miles of beach to walk upon facing the Coronado Islands and Point Loma San Diego – California
The Hotel was built in the late 1800’s and is a Southern California landmark. Some of the rooms are even said to be inhabited by spirts (though of which kind, I’m not sure……..:) San Diego – California
In the spirit of the season and the fact that it is a myth that Southern California is WARM in the winter, an ice skating pond was set up on the beach at the Hotel del Coronado San Diego – California
This is the original heating stack that was used to heat the Hotel in the early days. The moon and golden light helped to create an interesting end of the day San Diego – California
Sunset looking toward Point Loma San Diego – California
We had just hauled the boat out of the water in Ventura six weeks before, but discovered a problem with our refrigeration cooling system which required us to haul the boat out of the water again! Knight & Carver Shipyard hauls “Megayachts” so we were no big deal. The good news is we were out and back in in just 2 days. San Diego – California
Knight & Carver has one of the largest travel lifts we’ve ever seen and as you can see, picks us up and moves us around like a toy San Diego – California
Knight & Carver as it turns out, manufactures some of the Wind Turbines for alternative power that we see in Palm Springs and many locations around the USA San Diego – California
As they are nocturnal……They sleep all day San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
Tall Ship “Lynx” was the smallest of the four vessels, but one of the more elegant San Diego – California
San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
The Meerkats take this posture as a group to be on the lookout for predators. This is San Diego Zoos’ version of “Meerkat Manor” San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
The old adage is: “Red sky at morning, sailor take warning”…. Despite the lazy light forecast, within three hours of this beautiful sunrise over the US/Mexican border, we had steady winds from 25-30 knots with sustained gusts over 40 knots and one even to 51.6 knots. But that’s another story…………stay tuned San Diego – California
Everyones favorite San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
Christmas Day was the day we picked to finally head to Mexico. The light was lovely off the cliffs of Point Loma with the full moon setting. The day was predicted to be uneventful and calm, but that quickly changed……….. San Diego – California
According to the docents, the Polar Bears here have adapted to Southern Callifornia life quite well and their coats are very thinned out due to the warmer weather. As to warm, trust us, it wasn’t! San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
San Diego has a beautiful skyline, especially from the water. Depending on the time of day, the moods of the city could be seen on the buildings in the distance San Diego – California
Later in the week, we went aboard “Star of India” and “HMS Surprise” San Diego – California
Cindy decided that we were going to have a boat party for the San Diego Christmas Boat Parade. She’s so galley chique! San Diego – California
Cindy makes a big effort to entertain. A lovely time was had by all! San Diego – California
The parade was cool (literally), the fireworks hot, hot, hot! San Diego – California
Photographers are always in search of the “Golden Light”. It’s the time when the sun first rises or just sets. Here we see San Diego in her evening “Golden Light”………. San Diego – California
The elephants here are just about to be let out on to the plains. African I’m pretty sure San Diego Wild Animal Park – Escondido, California
This male lion was the recent proud papa of 7 cubs. When the cubs are big enough, they will be allowed to play with Dad. Lions are the only social “Big Cats”. The docent told us the cubs will be merciless and tear out all his mane. There is a glass between me and the lion and he knows he’s the King of this Jungle…….. San Diego Wild Animal Park – Escondido, California
This is one of very few behaviors that any of the animals at the park are taught. The docent does this so that she can check the lions paws, belly, eyes and mouth. The animal keepers never enter the habitats as they are trying to be as unintrusive as possible. Extensive breeding programs are done here with great success. Especially with critically endangered species San Diego Wild Animal Park – Escondido, California
Through the looking glass, this King of the African plains shows off his size. Streched out, he’s over 8 feet long San Diego Wild Animal Park – Escondido, California
Tigers are definitely NOT social “Big Cats”. The tigers are kept apart as they don’t like each other. This species is from Indonesia and almost extinct in the wild. Poachers and loss of habitat are the dual enemy of most of the worlds endangered species San Diego Wild Animal Park – Escondido, California
We arrived from Oceanside late on 09 November 2007 and were guests at the San Diego Yacht Club. San Diego – California
Shea Weston of “Offshore Outfitters” is everyone’s favorite fixit guru in San Diego. Shea chased the evil boat gremlins away and for the most part (for the moment!) everything works! San Diego – California
Skye came to visit for Thanksgiving and we went for a great tour of USS Midway. Launched just before the end of WWII, USS Midway saw action through the first Gulf War. A legend in her own time!…… San Diego, California
While Cindy, Scott & Ty were taking the boat to Knight & Carver in the south side of San Diego Bay, we were treated to the ONCE per year group sail of the “Tall Ships”. Tall Ships are old style sailing vessels whose design was from prior to roughly 1900. Seen here is the sailing museum, “Star of India” which is permanently moored in San Diego San Diego – California
Star of India – San Diego Bay San Diego – California
HMS Surprise leads Star of India home in the San Diego Bay San Diego – California
Ty Hokanson, one of our best friends had relocated to San Diego and was coincidentally working on a large power boat at Knight & Carver. We were able to get the lay of the land and catch up on old times. San Diego – California
San Diego is a true water city. Nothing exemplifies this more than the US Navy. Ships are constantly coming and going on a daily basis San Diego – California
USS Midway, now a museum in San Diego had a long a distinguished carrier. Commissioned shortly after WWII, she served in Korea, Vietnam and GW I. A wonderful display of aircraft adorns her flight deck as well. Scott would have had a difficult time serving aboard a “Man of War” as he constantly hit his head on something………… San Diego – California
This warthog was clearing out her den San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
Craig & Ceci’s Challenger 50 – s/v “Windsway” off Harbor Island, San Diego San Diego – California
