A beautiful sunset reflecting off the textured ocean.
We had previously been in touch with friends Barry and Miss Coni, whom we met at Westport Harbor, WA back in September 2011. Barry has single-handedly sailed his 40-foot ultralight racing yacht "Rage" up and down the West coast, and to Hawaii several times, and took Miss Coni on her first-ever sailing adventure all the way to Victoria BC to Mexico.
"Rage" had snagged a full-sized crab pot on her racing keel with a bulb on the bottom about 10 miles off the Washington coast, and he needed to be towed in to Westport, the closest marina. They tied up in front of us, and Paul donned his hooka scuba gear and untangled the lines from Barry's keel and we've been friends ever since, and we were looking forward to seeing them again.
We anchored at Dana Point after dark and rowed to Turks, double-parking the Zodiac next to a fishing boat and hopped over a low, locked gate to avoid a long walk from the fuel dock.
Barry and Miss Coni met us at Turks Restaurant and it was great seeing them again. Miss Coni has a condo not far from the harbor and Rage is currently moored in the Sea of Cortez. We ordered a round of drinks and caught up on all the news.
Viewing Miss Coni's photos of Mexico with the fishing boats in the background.
A beautiful gift from Barry and Coni, an artichoke flower, with a Patrone bottle as a vase!
Coni also gave us a cute ceramic sailboat serving dish filled with roasted nuts that we all snacked on, as Turk's kitchen had closed for the night. All good, the most important thing was seeing old friends again! It was close to midnight when we bid each other "good-bye," until our next meeting.
Great getting together with you again, Barry and Miss Coni and we WILL see you again!
The next morning, Paul and I went ashore to the fuel dock to check things out. We walked up the road a bit and watched the small surf at Doheny Beach, where Paul had his first surfing day many years ago.
Small kine surf, but glassy all the same.
We checked out the local kayak sales/rental place with Hobie kayaks as well as surfboards for Doheny and were pleased to find that the manager, Paul Baker had Hawaii ties, Pupukea on the North shore of Oahu to be precise (lives next to Gerry Lopez, I'm told).
Small world, for sure.
Pink sitting pretty inside the harbor, with a large fishing boat stocking up on bait at the bait dock.
After chatting for a bit, we returned to the fuel dock and went back to Pink to get ready to attend a July 4th party at Paul's younger brother Chris and wife Jackie's house in Laguna Niguel. Chris picked us up back at the fuel dock and we drove to his beautiful home, where a full-blown pool party was happening with his kids, daughter Taylor and son Eric, and their friends.
Paul and Chris
The BBQ was fired up and the food was served, along with plenty to drink as well. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone, and meet new people too.
And then, the water-bomb fights began...
Look Out!
The water fight began over the neighbor's fence, then proceeded to the front yard in the driveway...no one was spared!
After more food, drink and a nice dip in the pool, we bid everyone "goodbye" and Eric and his grandmother drove us back to Pink to watch the firework show that was just beyond the breakwater. The beaches were packed with people camping out to get their best spot to watch the show.
Photo was taken while sitting on Pink's bow.
The windless night held the smoke down.
The firework show was beautiful and it was so close to us, we could feel the concussion of the explosions rumble through the boat and our bodies! It was awesome.
At 630am the next morning, we sided up to the fuel dock to get some fuel for our 60 nm journey to San Diego.
And.....we are ready to go!
Next stop, San Diego...the biggest harbor I've ever been in, with more kelp at the harbor entrance than I'd ever care to see!
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