La vida generalmente

Things are for the most part good. We are adapting to the new life. This would not be a bad place to retire to, with a small bit of land for a small house, dojo and a garden. Who know maybe we will come back. The weather is getting warmer, which for me is always a good thing , I hate being cold.

Almost 1 month now here in Ensenada, less a day or so. It took some adjustment, but things are fairly good, other than the water which is bad. There is a work around that, which cost, but it is not too bad. The price for drinking water is reasonable. $5.00 for 10 gals. delivered.

We have done a couple of small tourist things, visiting a natural cheese farm. They had cows which are only used to milk for cheese. Happy cows, no death smell in the air! They showed us the process and lastly gave everyone some samples with a glass of wine and bread. OMG good! We took some home. The cheese not the cows.

Another place we went is called the blow hole. ( Bufadora) a place were the rock forms a place were the ocean shoot up in a spray. there were a lot , a lot , a lot of souvenir shops there. I heard people complain because the vendors can be pushy. We went on a weekday when most are thankfully closed.

I have started my morning solo practice again now we are settled more. I start fairly early, however, I need to make even earlier as not to have the misc onlookers. I like the solitude and not feeling like the entertainment . I have found a place by the marina on the water front. There are usually a lot of people out and about, even starting early since it is a nice location. So I need to get before they start. After my morning Zazen. There is Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Hsing Yi. then a bit more Zazen. Just the basics, I will add some Mantis and Weapons drills as I feel more comfortable. I wish there was someplace to do Kyudo, but alas I will have to make do with just some misc parts. Even a small part is better than none, even if sometimes it is just mental. The mind is the controlling factor anyway…ne!

La Problemas

The power system on the ZenCat is not up to the requirements of the autopilot for long periods. I was told that, and I know, but it is even shorter than expected , at least right now. I have been informed by the ex-owner the battery bank is about 5 yrs old. Which in Battery yrs means over the hill for the most part. If it was just light use, it would most likely be ok for another yr or so, but with the heavy drain of the auto pilot… not good. I have noticed that the house bank never really comes up to full according to the digital solar gauge. So the first thing I need to do is borrow a charger from the Boat Yard here to try to fully charge them. Then do a test load. However I am guessing they need to be replaced after 5 yr$. Not good. More drain on limited resources.

When we did the tourist thing at the Bufadora ( blowhole) I backed stepped over a low rock to keep from getting wet in the big blow I was waiting for to take a picture of exploding. I fell and landed on my arm and hand, the injury was minor, but the camera which  held on to, hit right on the lens and would not close or open again. More drain. On the good side it could have been much worse. I had my iPad on my side which escaped unharmed thankfully, I wold have cried if that broke. Also my injuries were slight, no chipped or broken bones, or large cuts. I am grateful for that.

The death shot..RIP

 La Decepciónes

We have our laundry sent out here. The Boat Yard has a service pickup. It is something like $10.00 for under 15lbs. Our first time LZ weighed and it was just a little over we were charged the next higher amount about $15.00. It was a small surprise but, we figured ok, our fault. The next load a few days ago was 14.5 lb . We got a bill for $18.00! Shocked! I did not have enough money with me at the time so went back to get more cash, LZ says What!! how is that possible? It for sure is less than before, but we get charged almost double! No way! I will not pay! She went off to the office, with the scale. The harbor master was called in, everyone looked at the weight and the shop owner was called. It was confirmed it should be the $10.00 price. Turns out the pickup guy was pocketing the extra cash, since there was no receipt or verification of weight when the pickup is made. Lesson learned. we will put the weight on the clothes or weigh them in front of the gate attendant when leaving the load. I, who hate making scenes was just going to not use them again, but LZ has no problem with making a fuss. It worked out she did ( she is a good balance for me at times, I am still a work in progress). I am wondering if the gate attendant was not in on this, he looked and seemed bummed, as in disappointed not apologetic when I came back later and paid the correct amount.

Our one Ensenada keepsake from a local artist

I have been seeking someone to finish our dodger project. I had thought doing it here in Mexico would be cheap. I recall back in the day, people would come here to get their car interior redone, and about half the cost of the States. I had the Boat Yard here call in someone to give me an estimate. I thought it was high. Plus they added on 20% service charge as their cut. I was shocked comparing it to the small work I had done in the States. I made the acquaintance of a local sailor who gave me a local contact. I thought I could get a better price direct from someone. One day I walked some 3 miles to his shop in the hot sun into deep Ensenada. I was going on very rough direction on how to get there. When I had someone call the person on the phone could not give me a direct address and location only a rough idea. After much travel and asking I found the place. After all that Wrong! his was higher than even with the 20% for the boat Yard. sigh. Come to find out the cost of the material is much higher here which adds major to the fee. My next step was to get the materials myself then hire locally to do the sewing only. After finding a copy brand of Sunbrella on ebay the cost came to $110.00 instead of almost 500.00 to buy local. The labor is reasonable and perhaps now that I know what the Spanish word for upholstery is and saw several shops on my walk through the Barrio, I can  even a better price on the labor with my materials. Then too it maybe better to have the Boat Yard recommended person do the work only even paying the yard their cut.

I have been trying to get in touch with the people from Eco-flag/GSA for several months. Emails, notes on their Facebook PM, but sadly no responses. Very disappointing since I am just trying to get a new flag and some handouts to post and give -a-ways on the recycling cause. The last response, many months ago was how pleased they were about our trip and activities. Now, nothing. How weird and sad. I am thinking I need to associate with another Eco-group. It is not like I am asking for money…sigh

These are normal disappointments which come from dealing with unknown people. The bigger ones come from acquaintances, which I will not go into. Yet, one has to wonder if the let down is on the shoulders of the person(s) not following up on what they say, or in oneself for having expectations of people, because people are people. These things are also a good reminder to self, to keep my word. I am good at it, sometimes slow though… I guess I need work on that.

Anyway it is not all fun and games out here. Within Joy there is sadness, a Zen master told me his teacher told him that.

The Yin/Yang symbol covers life and it’s multi expressions. It is not just about balance and for Kung Fu, hot cold etc… it is life.

TPEP: viva Mexico

Mexico, we made it and have been here for a short while now as I make this final catchup post. The first week or so, it was an adjustment. I felt strange, not strange weird, but strange out of sorts and not connected.

We went through a fair amount of the normal hassle of checking in legally to the country. It overall went smooth. There were a couple of small bumps, but it could have been a lot worse. So nice they changed everything into one building. It was over in about 2-3 hours, hit the green light and we were free…Yatta!

Once landed in port and settled I contacted some friends from the Bay Area who were also in Ensenada. we went out for the famous local fish Tacos. They , the Tacos were good, LZ loved them! She over the next few days had some almost every day!

That was ok really , they are fresh, cheap, available all over. Well with in our limited budget. The fresh local food is very affordable !! Which is part of our reason for being here. We could not afford to live in the states, pay rent and eat on our budget…how sad is that after working some forty years.

The first few days other than, eating , sleeping, and exploring with the carnival in town, I spent time on the net, reading, and doing misc small stuff on the boat, even played my shakuhachi . Though more time spent just goofing off, with Japanese anime . I deserved a break.

Now having been here for a while I am developing a routine again, increased meditation time, getting out to do motion Chan ( tai chi and related chi gong) and walks. Also boat repairs which I put off in order to set sail, I am catching up on now. As wells as some of the medium size projects, like finishing the dodger for the Zenamaran. I have contacted a local canvas guy to make, to continue to make the windscreen which was started in Long Beach. I am hopeful it will be well within reason for him to finish the job ( it was not). At least to give us some shielding on three sides. The back side will need to be addressed later depending not the cost of finishing the front. I am waiting for an estimate.

As I said earlier the carnival was in town for the first week of our stay here. It was so so interesting. A lot of people, a LOT of police and military around on guard . That was surprising , but understandable with so much liquor to be had and legal to be drinking in public. It was however loud! Late into the night and wee hours of the morning we got an earful being right next to town in the marina are staying.

There is much to think about and plan for our next leg. It is nice we have a few months to prepare. LZ has gotten a contract with a Japanese magazine to write several articles on Ensenada. She is Jazzed ( HAPPY), she loves it here, the food, the vibe, and not feeling discriminated against. Me I am so so about the city. In a way it is good, affordable food, and rent, weather is ok, people are nice, but I feel my progress is limited here, no Chan, Kyudo, Kung fu family, ceramics, work, etc, my spirit is in Japan. However with practicing again on my own and doing boat projects I feel some sense of comfort and purpose, and can see some of the beauty and charm here in this place. I guess my spirit opened more. If circumstances where different, I could retire here, there are some real advantages, once one adapted well.

If you wish to see more pictures of our trip and Ensenada, visit our a facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/thepacificecopassage

I am very unsure about the next steps , Hawaii, expensive, hard to find docking space, Marshall Islands, limited access to anything, excluding fresh affordable food, same with Micronisa. Not to mention the crime in both places I hear about. Then too I hear about the crime and dangers of Mexico as well. Really must put continued trust in the Tao. I have no power…or money. I like being in these other places, but the travel there is not so much fun. So far it has been cold, no sailing only motoring. I am not really looking forward to 3 weeks of cold on the open sea. So spring looks good. I hope it will be a pleasant spring.

I have friends who are heading off to Japan shortly, it would be great to buddy boat with them, but, there is no time to make ready. Also LZ is quite pleased about her contract with the magazine and wants to fully explore Ensenada and do her writing. Perhaps expand to other places a long the way, where as they are are only stopping in Hawaii and Guam. Both are on the well beaten track of Japan tourist stops. It is not much money in her writing, but is is helpful and gives us for now 12 months of extra income, which perhaps could turn into more, which we will need in Japan.

A Zen master once told me, inside of joy there is sadness.

There is also the opportunity to do the Pacific puddle jump to French Poly. We have a friend from Japan enrolled in that and will be here late April. Since our need to be in Japan sooner than later has changed. Perhaps that is a more interesting way to go. The first leg is much longer though, but after that small steps and perhaps a more pleasant , safer, interesting sail. Something to consider. Two big things with weigh on that choice is , money and getting the auto pilot to function for long periods.

On the local front, I found a Kung Fu to visit the other day. I went out last night to visit. While walking via the local hood, I was stopped by the police, not. Just the local police these guys were SWAT, dressed in black. Even with the talk of corruption, it was less scary as a man of color to be stopped by them than the LAPD. I gave them my ID, and said , with no attitude, I was looking for the local Kung Fu school.

After a short question about the key card on my belt, which I said was from the local marina they looked at my Cal Lic., said goodbye I said thanks, and I walked on. The Force was with me. _/|\_

On an ecological note. I see around the tourist areas, lots of recycle binds and the marina water are kept fairly free of trash, fairly.

Outside of here in the local part, not so much. There is less of an effort to keep things clean, among the poorer class.

Although the public gathering places are kept up. Another thing here is public toilets are not free. There is a .50 cent charge. I am guessing this helps the upkeep and to stay clean. Public toilets in the States are free, but many times filthy except just after they are cleaned.

So spending 5 pesos for a clean place to answer nature is not so bad. Another thing I notice is that the local shops are kept pretty dark. This maybe be to save money on power cost more so than conserving power, however it is the same in a way.

We slowly made our passage down the San Diego Channel to the open sea. I watched the lights in the dark like colored lighting bugs, I watch the GPS, I listened, all went well. There were fishing boats or something here and there which I kept and eye on. Soon we were out out in open sea. I was surprised how much light the shore gave off in the darkness. One side pitch black , the other shadowy with reflective lights on the water. The sky was clear, on we motored in the quasi darkness.

After a relative short time of cautious headway, sometimes changing course to make sure I was not intercepting the changing lights around me at sea, I could see what I determined to be the border. The GPS and my night vision where in agreement. We were approaching , then cross the border, we were not in the USA any more. I could tell from the line of lights on the shore, even not seeing them before. I said nothing, but felt much. Relief , gratitude, anxiety, a touch of fear, pleasure . We made it this far, it was a long trip , still many mile to go, yet this was a big milestone …an on we motored.

At dawn, I turned the helm over to Mushashi-san. What a welcome break it was to stretch , health and relax. I let LZ sleep she was pretty out of it.

With Musashi-San at the wheel, I could move around a bit and did not feel trapped, as I kept a sharp eye on things . There were islands out there, I did not want to be near one, more so i did not want to encounter one.

There was one moment , well really more than a moment after we had past the half way mark. I saw breakers on the shoreline,  I felt this was way too close!  even with the shore off still further, perhaps there was some change in the water depth, a shoal, I headed more offshore. However as I watched and turned away the shore line did not seem to be moving. I turned off shore more, still after what seemed like a long time , we were in the same spot, so I thought. I started to feel like I was in some type of Twilight  Zone, or Outer Limits show. I turned the ZenCat away even more, I looked away, I steered away, yet we seemed to be at the same spot. Ok. I thought perhaps the current is pushing us toward the shore. I gave the Honda more power, we moved, I steered more off-shore, I looked…to my mind nothing changed. I knew I was tripping, and my mind playing tricks, yet there was a small cloud of doubt, even fear in the base of my heart…devils triangle came to mind, the ship wreaked racers from Newport beach, Carlos Castaneda…
I have the motor a little more juice. I check the GPS, I did not look at the shore line, having watched too many SciFi shows, lacking sleep I did not want to freak myself out in the light fog. Perfect setting for that kind of Sci Fi show, happening…Slowly we pulled away from the shore line and the marker I had set in my mind. I breathed, we motored on.

I was with no small relief as I watched the shore line and the markers fall to the rear of my sight line…still every once in a while I checked. We moved ever closer to Ensenada.

A short while later Mushashi cut off. I reengaged him, a short while later he cut off again. I determined by instinct that it was a power issue and switch on both batteries, since the outboard was giving a small charge and the sun was not out enough to make full use of the solar array. This helped for a while. something to be addressed later.

By the time we reach Ensenada bay I was hand steering again. It was ok, we were almost there. I could see the huge Mexico flag in the near distance.

I raised the quarantine We motored on,  now the wind had picked up some and with the right angle I could get some help from the wind spirit.

Slowly. Entered the Ensenada port, I made a call to the dockmaster, who told me to hold on while he checked out reservation wight he office. Meanwhile I w in the port. LZ report to me that the is a man waving at us ahead. I think that this our contact I follow his wave into the slip he is located. After thanking him for his help with the dock line I ask are you Arturo in Spanish. No he says. I ask is this Baja Naval, again he says no. That is that way , another marina. I thank him, apologize and we leave. I tell LZ our spot and were we are going, in a short bit, she says she has located it. I follow here directions, just about the same time, the Asst-dock master  calls me on the VHF, and tells me my slip. Which I am already bearing down on. LZ is happy with the location, near to the main walkway and harbor building. We turn in as the asst dockmaster walks down the walkway and welcomes us.

 

 

 

We had made it to Ensenada!, Yatta!

So we made our way back up the channel, against the wind and current. The going was much better than expected. a Long way and we slowing motored our way out. Out of the back 40 boonies.

After we got out of the narrow channel it was finally time to check the auto pilot. Some what nervously I turned on the unit, released my hold on the wheel and waited…I watched…I waited for the course change than never came. Yatta!!! finally we had auto pilot. Now the next big thing, was to come up with a name! Yes that is important for a new important crew member. I was leaning toward Musashi, but hmmm . Did not feel quite right. Hiro, seems better. even though it is different in Japanese than Hero, it was a Hero , the Hiro is just a spelling play on words. Finally thoughts are still pending.

 

Meanwhile back to the motoring. We moved along nicely the rest of the way to the police docks where we were to spend the night before heading out at odark thirty the next morning. The was a friend also at the police docks and I gave him a call as I was having a hard time locating the entrance to the Public Docks. Finally I got to figured out and we headed in. As we came in and slowed down, the motor to me sounded funny, but it continued on with no problems.

 

I pulled into a free open spot, which turned out to be right next to my friend’s boat. We exchanged greeting and chatted for a while. I checked out his new to him boat which he planned to sail to Okinawa shortly. Nice boat an old Alberg design. Good sturdy boats. Like my old Islander and Pearson Ariel.

 

After the visit , LZ and I settled in for the night. LZ made a couple of new friends. It was a joy find to be able to locate and log on to San Diego’s free internet service. It did take some searching and luck to find, but we got it!  yatta!!

 

 

The next morning the plan was to be ready at dawn, fuel up and get underway. I awoke before light and noticed the fig creeping in, but I could see, but slowly it was changing.

 

The fuel dock did not open until 7 am. We made our way slowly to it and the fog increased. after quickly fueling we started out, and the fog continued in. Once barely out of the marina, I not being able to see any marker, turned around and headed back to the dock. I was not up to the task at hand since I had a choice. I am not a bold sailor…

 

The fog slowly started to clear over the next several hours, but I was not into making an all night passage. LZ was, after resolving the conflict  that should have not been since it was the Captains choice, the new plan was to leaving at midnight. That would  give us only 6 hours of travel in the dark and we would be out of the harbor long before sunrise and the morning fog. I thought we would have to end up paying for another night. The police/public dock is un manned and all is done via internet.  Except fro getting into the ancorage like my frined was trying to do. That called for a boat inspection from the local Port police. There are some volunteers who check those who are there for permits. We were able to slide by for another night…free, no one hassle or even asked. The Force was with us!

 

After a nap, at 12:00 am, we slipped out of the San Diego bay Police/Public dock into the channel to exit the City and our last US stop. In the wee hours of the night, under a fairly clear sky we motored our way down the final leg of California, and out of the USA and into Mexican waters. For us a new frontier…LZ was excited, next stop Ensenada.

Chula Vista

The trip down to Chula Vista, notice I say the trip, because we had yet to do any sailing, it has all been motoring, re: no wind… Except for once we come into the harbor, without fail for the most part the wind picks up to the point it is uncomfortable and I am always glad I have the main reefed.

Also as in other approaches, the hidden crab pots are laying in wait. Why do they fisherman do that, and why does the Coast Guard let them getaway with it? Right at the entrance to a harbor.

The motor down to SD was un-eventful, thankfully, but once making the entrance to San Deigo Bay things took on a another face whilst dodging through the minefield of pots suddenly I find myself in the mist of a thick kelp forest! I increase the RPM of the motor, lot help not get bogged down by the mess. I have LZ take over the helm and I rig up my pole knife cutter rig, and start to slice and dice as we move. After what seemed like an hour we broke through to open water and the main channel. Right about then the wind picks up …a lot, and of course it is a head wind we fight against. Now add to that the ebbing current and there is the making of more stress. LZ says the motor is losing power. I check for kelp, not seeing much I shut down to motor to check the prop and clear anything on it. There was not much , but some. It was then I figured we must be going agains the tide, and we continued slowly forward.

Coming into SD harbor gave me the sense of a war movie. Attack choppers flying over head, speeding patrol boats zipping by with troopers, battleships off to the side, and the radio warning still as had been all day about live fire practice and stay out of the area. Not where we were but you get the idea. San Diego Bay could have been a pleasant sail under different circumstances and there were sail boats out and about. I was surprised by the number of marinas and boats in the area.

Entering the harbor was not the end of our trip ,l we still had another two hours of travel to get to Chula Vista at the other end of the harbor. It was a interesting ride through San Diego and I somewhat marveled at the city and water front. After passing all that, was the travel past the war ships and such and the naval security that was out on their boats. Sill we travelled on, the last leg of this odyssey was following a narrow channel to the Chula Vista Marina. That was worry some, but went without problem.

Once in the marina proper things mellowed out a lot. The marina was well laid out and easy to maneuver. I had spoken to the dockmaster of the Chula Vista YC who was waiting for us on his boat near the entrance to guide us. Once we made the turn down the channel we were to stay in a man one a Gemini came out to help us turn around. Did another couple of guys. Everyone was very helpful in getting us in place behind two other CATs, and we were done and settled in.

The dockmaster checked us I quickly as he already had my paper work, gave us a key and we were done. We could relax for the next 3-4 days. It was a nice spot, we had Internet once again, and were near the rest rooms. I did my lil quiet prayer of gratitude.

We spent the next few days, just doing misc stuff. We attended the Friday night dinner at the invite of the Dockmaster. There we had dinner at the yacht a club and sat with the Commodore at his invitation. The dinner cost us a bit more than we planned , but I figured Cest La Vie, we are staying for free.

The next day wa a local big event the implosion of an old power plant. We had almost front row seats from the boat. I was surprised at the local turn out to see this sunrise event. People were loading on boats in the marina, and other were lined up on the street for a close up view. I saw several people head to the boats with bottles of champagne. It was a big deal. I watched form the ZenCat, LZ walked over to get a close up view. Watching the building collapse reminded me of 911 and I had the same thought then having seen this implosion before.

I had some conversations about CATS from a few of the local Catamaran owners and some tips about Ensenada from the one who had helped us dock. He was hoping to talk his wife into moving to Ensenada, having been there before and felt comfortable there. As well as being able to live much more comfortable with paying half the rent he was now. Even though Chula Vista a marina was a nice place.

Our time there in Chula Vista past somewhat quickly and we needed to make plans to move on. We did get a short visit with Don of the WindCharmer team who was now home based in The Marina Next door to ours. He was kind to take us to WestMarina and to the store for a little shopping.

Another helpful visit was from the crew of Destiny . We had met them at Morro Bay and they were near by in SD. They came over to visit us and the Captain gave me a hand with the final installation of the auto pilot. We did not get a chance to water test it, but felt confident it would work this time around. I had tried it on the trip from Long Beach to Dana point without success. For the most part it was installed right it just needed some adjustment.

LZ and I had decided that we would leave a Chula Vista on Sunday and move to a location closer to the Bay entrance, since it was a two hour motor to the entrance. Then another 12-15 hour trip to Ensenada. After being shocked by the prices for an overnight there, near the entance and many calls I was able to get us a spot at the city run police/public dock. Set out Sunday afternoon for the new location…

 

The next legs of our trip were somewhat short. The weather was fair, the seas as well… mostly. All in all fairly easy trips…I like that.

We arrived at Dana Point YC the wind was high as we pulled into the harbor. That was unpleasant, not too scary but not fun at all. I went to the fuel dock and we fueled up for the next day as we planned on leaving in the morning. we made our way slowly against the wind to the YC dock and tied off. I went to look for the promised key, however the key we were expecting was not there. I made a couple of calls but it was never found.

The commodore was nice enough to come down to see if he could help, but to no avail. We made do what just having a place to dock for the night with shore power. The basics were enough.

We set off the next day. I found out later after sending the commodore a thank you note that, the key was left as promised but a member found it and took it inside!

We did not have to leave so early so we had a casual start with some Kayakers as escorts.

The next leg was another 30 miles more or less to Oceanside Ca. The entrance this time was peaceful we found our spot easy along with the key for the facilities. It was a comfortable marina, much more of a working class location than the upscale locations of Dana Point and Seal Beach.

However it was clean, we had wifi and power. We stayed there for tow days.

While out for a walk I came across another Iroquois. A sister to the ZenCat. That makes 2 I have spotted on this trip. I thought there was only maybe one still on this coast. so it was a rare find to locate two others.

I wanted a break and to wait for the wind direction to be better. Our next leg down to Chula Vista was to be longer.

We left at day break after a two night free stay. The dockmaster there was nice and helpful. (He also made a fair margarita). As were all we encountered so far on the trip.

We set off to San Diego/Chula Vista. There we planned to hang out for 3 days and prepare for the long trip to Ensenada Mexico.

As we are still bouncing around as it were, it is taking some time to update this. We got fogged in today so there is some down time waiting for our cast off time.

Long Beach /Seal Beach

We moved from San Pedro to Seal Beach at the same time the Wind Charmer crew took off for Dana Point. I had made some arrangements with the Seal Beach Yacht Club for a few days at a slip via one of their members.

What a huge blessing that turned out to be. We ended up being able to stay there for 2 weeks…free!!!, Yup Free. Huge blessing for us. We are so grateful for that. Also that my friend let me his car for most of that time was huge. We were able to reprovision, get parts, visit other friends , I got some Kyudo time in, it was great!! Beyond great it was huge!

One of the places was the famous amongst boaters , Minney’s the salvage boat yard. There I was able to purchase a used steering wheel so I could finish installing the auto pilot. Another thing on the list was having a wind-screen made for the dodger top. No time to make the full front, but having a small section block some of the wind, cold, spray was , well huge!

We were able to drive up to the high desert to visit and have dinner with another friend of mine, a former student and her husband. It was a long way but it was worth the trip. They made us a donation of for food stuffs which lasted for several days. Also LZ got to try some fresh made Almond butter which she is now hooked on.

Kyudo on Sunday with one of my  favorite teachers, who we share not only Kyudo, but Zen practice , and Tai Chi practice . I was asked to lead the pre-shooting Meditation. This was the second time this happened. I just go with it now.

The time at Seal Beach was a comfortable break, the weather was good, and it gave us a whole new meaning having transportation. Thanks to our friends at the University of Archery for the help and the fishing gear donated to the cause.

Seal Beach was also a convenient location for our needs from Whole Foods, a Japanese market, Trader Joe’s, West Marine were we got a couple of bowls and plates. The bowls are perfect, for soup, salad, Mocha, and other misc things we need. Importantly, unbreakable, microwave safe ( for the rare times we need that).

The only down side of the Seal Beach stay was no internet, well no free internet. We had to use our 3G account to access the Net. In that area everyone had their internet signal on lock down. What happened to sharing? Oh well, considering everything else that was a small price to pay for the time there.

Another visit there due to having some wheels, was I was able to visit my favorite Chan coach at his home for a session with his group. However I ended up being the guest speaker, which was a surprise. However again I just go with it now.

I need to list our new supporters on our sponsor page, The University of Archery and God’s Gym Team for their heart gifts to assist our passage.

It was kind of sad to leave Seal Beach but time was nearing when we had to leave the slip space so we made plans to move on. Visitor slips were arranged with Dana Point Yacht club, Oceanside Yacht Club, and Chula Vista Yacht Club. We left after a weekend of relaxing rain, enjoyed from the Zenamaran.

_/|\_

TPEP: Day 47…

Beside the money I had hoped we would have to enable this to be a reasonably comfortable trip. Sigh, Otherwise…

We have been cruiser now for over a month, with a two month anniversary coming up in 2 weeks. At that time we will be settled in Mexico for the next three month…maybe.

I would not say the trip has been all that much fun, not un-fun! Just not FUN! As with everyone all smiles, like what is in the Mags. This is real cruising, dealing with weather windows, cold nights, low money funds, etc. I am becoming of the mind that the trip “there” ( where ever there is ) is not so much fun as being where one is going…”there”. All about there , not getting there. Much more about where you are going, than where you are.( Way off the Zen philosophy of enjoying this moment…seriously off ) Then there are costs, which are not much fun, but it can be with the right mind…or money. Anyway this is why all the articles, post , pictures are about where said cruisers are ( and drunk or drinking) rather than the trip there. Then that would depend on your where pleasure zone is. Mine is in a warm zone, with mild winds and following seas. But… I am digressing…and it could just be me.

I have enjoyed the breaks from the travel. Especially when there are places where I have friends. Monterey, Long Beach was great, good weather , friends, Chan, Kyudo, transportation, although temporary . It was still good. Getting the passages between those places behind us was most enjoyable, not so much the passage , but getting it behind us. No motor noise, warm food, a glass of wine, not dodging crab pots, or sea kelp. Ahhhh pleasure. It is kind of like sticking one self with a needle to feel the pleasure of stopping. Extreme in the example but you get the idea.

So whilst out on the deck today I thought , what is missing here. SAILiNG came the answer, as the fog rolled in from the masts of sailboats docked across from us. I had yet to really sail, there has not been a time that we have moved that it was not under power, there was a short while we did sail that lasted about 1 hour. I do not recall all the reasons, part was not to slow down our buddy boat. Mostly it had to do with the lack of wind. Sailing is relaxing, even though work. Motor sailing is tiring, the motor noise, listening to any changes in tone that signals sometime is wrong., looking out for crab traps, kelp…etc. there comes a time where you just say ok, frack, I need to chill out, if it is going to happen , my worrying will not stop it. Still in the back of your mind there is the motor drone… Maybe it is just me though.

Anyway I believe if I could do some sailing I would enjoy the passage more along with having a working auto pilot. that alone maybe be huge!! Having Feeling I am harmony with the elements, that gives one more of the feeling of not aloneness ( if the motor dies, nature is with you.) , of being connected to the Tao, and flowing with it, rather than being this noisy object, running off dead reptiles.. I would have felt much more connected to the dolphins we saw under sail, than under Honda….Maybe it is just me though.

In port it is the thought of what needs to been done for the next leg, how much is this dock going to effect our limited budget, or is the anchor holding, do we have enough for food, money …

I played my flute today, my first time doing so on passage. It was good therapy. I have not been able to do any Tai Chi, I still get in my Chan Ding (Zazen) , but that lack of physical release and deep moving breath is not the same. Of course playing is completely another realm but parts of everything overlap. I need to do it more…Here it is the breath, the control of breath, plus the transfer of that breath into sound, that sound effects the body, the spirit, it is a cycle of chi like sitting Zen, at the same time like moving Zen, Tai Chi. I guess the common element is the breath and the movement of Chi and the change from one energy form to another….or maybe it is just me.

As I prepare things on the boat and in my mind to leave this brief haven, as I re-center, I give thought to all that is involved with we’re we are and are going. Thoughts turn to all that I have and have not. What, why , how.

I would love to just have a peaceful sail, instead of working to move. I look forward to a regular pattern of training, even though irregular patterns are also training. There will be time in Mexico , I will just need to find a place, to train. I need wood-shedding on several levels. This has been only phase one of this inner exploration and outer journey.

The I-Ching says San Diego would be successful /comfortable, something like that for me. Yet I can do well in Mexico with correct behavior. If we are going to grow and experience we need to step outside our comfort zone, I know this. This is part of the Spiritual aspects of this passage, trust in the Tao to provide, like the biking monk from Korea. So Mexico will be our home for the next three month. It should be interesting. We have our basics covered, beyond that…there is only trust.

…the fork in the river.

As we left MDR there were reports of gale winds. We spoke with the USCG at we’re told the report was for 30 km out. But our area had small craft warnings. In the SF Bay small craft warning  are normal everyday sailing. So off we went with some hope of being at one with the Force of the winds rather than the force of Exxon.

As it turned out the winds were not in our favor, Nor that strong. However nature gave us a friendly by providing a huge pod of Dolphins to cross paths with us on the way down to San Pedro that was the excitement for the days…

Until we reach LA Harbor.

As we turned into the harbor the winds picked up ..a lot! From about 3-5 knts to 15- 18. We had to go mostly to nose to nose with it to get to the marina. Once inside, we still had some difficulty . We could not find the marina office. We ended up going down a wrong finger and getting almost trapped but the wind intensity , making turning around near impossible. Our buddy boat got blown down a wrong section then trapped for a while trying to maneuver out. I watched all this and decided to just back all the way out to the main channel. It was a good choice, the correct choice, the Zen way choice.

After all that we made our way to the office and joked around with the office staff as we checked in. We were in good spirits after the trip and safe docking.

The marina was nice, it was clean and well protected. It was much nicer than the first one we stayed at in Oxnard, and cheaper. So it was a nice rest for two days to reorganize. Team WindCharmer also needed to arrange stop over ports for their trip to San Diego.

We spent the next two days the at the Marina at San Pedro. I got into touch with a Kyudo bud and was able to do some errands. It was also time to make plans for a longer stay in Long Beach. This place was ok, but I needed to be closer to my friend and others. Also I was hopeful to get some reciprocal free stay for at least a few days from a Local Yacht Club. We’re as it was moving on time soon for our buddy boat. From here on we would go solo in our directions.

As it turn out I was able to get some free time at a slip near to my friend from the Seal Beach Yacht club. This turned out to be a great blessing. More about that later. WindCharmer got their bookings and they were set to sail the next day.

I had a first thought to leave later in the day, but figured to get an early start and leave with the WindCharmer our departing sail. We met up at the fuel dock and said our goodbyes. It was a good blessing for us to travel with them down the coast. It was a helpful and learning experience. I was glad I was able to contribute in someway to make their trip easier when I was able to arrange the free stay at the PMYC and the time at CIYC which was part free and part just a discount for them.

It was kind of sad to split up after making the trip this far, but this is how cruising life is, all friends sail off in other directions. Life on a mini scale.

We sailed out of the marina together. I turned and stayed inside the break wall as they sailed out. We said our sayonara over the radio as the wall of stones separated us, our boats, our journeys .

TPEP: Marina Del Rey…closer to home

As we left the channel island harbor, the surf was high on the entrance, and breaking on the wall. Across the month of the entrance, the was no break but there was a rolling surf headed toward shore. It was not dangerous , but it could be a little testy. If  one was not paying attention to boat and wave angles. I was lucky enough to chose a good one and we went through fairly smooth

A short while once through the surge we settled in at speed of 5 kts. Heaiding down the coast to our next port o call, Marina Del Rey.

This passage was our first sighting of more than the lone Dolphin, we saw several, they swam with the boat for a bit then took off.

I have called ahead to make the arrangement this time. One club the Del Rey Yacht Club, told me only groups, l which are “clubs” not associations get admittance to their club. I tried another. The Pacific Mariner Yacht Club. They welcome, me and our buddy boat. These folks were amazingly helpful. I did not spend a lot of time out an about, but the buddy boat had much help from them. I chatted with a few of the members from time to time and got offered a ride to the supermarket. We had lots of help getting the boats docked and tied, and also plenty of help launching. Of course a large part of that could have been for self preservation of their own boats

Supplies in Marina Del Rey are not a convenient lil hop skip and a jump away. Their is and small expensive market near by with in walking distance. There is a large super market, banks, post office and misc shops with in bike riding distance. About 20-30 min worth of biking. I did it twice in one day.

I needed to get a money order to send off payment MIYC membership hopefully I could get a little more respect at some places with the name . ” Yacht Club”. The only place around to do this was this little mall area. I rode over there early only to find the shops and the like we’re closed due to an power outage. I came back, tired, disappointed , a second time in the late afternoon, after being yelled at by the police for riding on the sidewalk, to find the same. sigh! The next day was a success…Yatta.

The wifi, which is important these days, was excellent at the PMYC. Thank you guys! That always is helpful and saves us money from use of our 3G plans.

Finally after a few days of rest and a waiting for the weather winds to calm we set off yet again, this time for Long Beach/San Pedro. It was a good visit to Marina Del Rey and the Pacific Mariner Yacht Club.