California Arrival

San Mateo California, Silicon Valley
Staying with Mark & Joanne

In my minds eye I had held the beauty of California. But the reality is a stretch better. I crossed into California yesterday morning and watched the nature of the desert gradually change. The desert is so vast and majestic and so very hot. I was traveling along I-10 for most of my trip westward.

But to avoid the metropolis of Los Angeles I had to re-route myself pretty far off the rhumb line, but was well worth it. I turned north at Palm Springs and climbed into the mountains, and then descended into Yucca Valley. The grandeur is tough to get your mind wrapped around. Certainly not a ideal location for a breakdown. All of this scenery was totally unexpected and really made the long drive pleasant. I would have loved to camp in some of these areas but the temperatures preclude any thing like that.

I guess what I am saying is I really did forget how absolutly beautiful California is. I spent the night in Mojave California not far from Edwards Air force Base. Another desert oasis of a town.

This morning the terrain changed again into mountains, then straight into the bread basket of California. I stopped in Arvin, a sleepy agriculture town south of Bakersfield that felt like Mexico to me. Maybe because the population is 87.8 percent Hispanic according to the 2000 census. I picked up a authentic breakfast burrito from a little Mexican Tacoria and then spent the next 3 hours north bound on I-5 through the central valley. The central valley is a sea of commercial farming operations. Water is a gigantic issue in California. The system of canals that has been created to divert water to the LA basin and the farms is a gigantic political football. With that, I noticed thousands of acres of farming land burned out. Signs abound reading "Congress Created Bustbowl." Something is afoot; not unusal in a state where the government is in a constant state of crisis management.

I've spent the past few months in warm temperatures and air conditioning. But in true San Francisco fashion, as soon as I negotiated Altamont Pass, the temperatures dropped dramatically and the fog started to appear. The Green Hornet felt the influence of the mighty Pacific for the first time. Once upon the San Mateo bridge which spans the south San Francisco Bay, I could see a typical 15 to 25 knot westerly breeze churning up a chop. And once again I had that stupid grin, boy was I happy.

It's nice to be back in the hood. Now I just need Christa to make it safely here. More on that tomorrow.

Capt Chris

Could Be Biker Trouble

San Tan Valley Arizona
Staying with my Aunt Cindy & Uncle Joe

72 Sportster, Rhode Island 1992

 Here is a little tid bit regarding my past most blog readers have no clue about. I had a biker phase. And this phase is latent and could surface at any time. Check out stud boy at 24 years old. I felt like the man no doubt. Feeling like the man was the watch word today as I once again climbed aboard a phat Harley for a morning ride in the Arizona desert.

Uncle Joe & Me

I had the fever right away. In fact I worried about swallowing a bug because I couldn't wipe the stupid grin off my face. It was a Sunday morning, little traffic, long long double lane highways that stretch as far as the eye can see, circled by the arid Arizona mountain terrain. Even better, the temperature was only in the high 80's. Very abnormal for this time of year.

My machine was a 1989 Electra Glide Official Police bike. Big and smooth, with tons of power. Uncle Joe was riding a real classic, a 1964 Panhead. Loud. In fact so loud that I had trouble moving out in first gear on my bike as I couldn't hear the engine on the Electra Glide.

We have some biker history in the family. I sold my Harley in 98. I am well aware of the dangers of bikes and just decided enough was enough. But holy cow did I love today's ride.

I can easily draw a parallel to sailing. Today was like a day of broad reaching in 15 knots and a 3 to 4 swell. On the bike, all alone with just the surrounding hill country, everything dialed, every care in the world simply leaves you. What a feeling. Kind of like the Judas Priest song, "Heading Out to the Highway." A real biker anthem. But bikes are like boats, prone to breaking downs, weather directly affects your enjoyment and the community is cult like. Of course bikes don't readily drag anchor, which is nice, but at some point all bike owners would choose to use the bike as an anchor.

The Panhead can be ruff on the rump, So Joe & I stopped in at San Tan Flats Bar and Grill to cool down. Place was really very cool indeed. Of course pretty soon Joe and I were pestering the girls to "I don't know maybe take a picture on the bike." With the Canon G11 in the saddle bag, I was on the case big. They were all great sports about it. I love these spontaneous small pleasures, that if accumulated consistently really adds up to a great life. Here are some more pictures.

Thanks Girls

Me & Prof Shelby

As usual having a great time with Cindy & Joe and my cousin Lauren. As of this writing I plan on leaving tomorrow  bound for somewhere near LA and snag a hotel. And then my next stop should be San Mateo just south of San Francisco in the Silicon Valley.

Christa as of this moment is still in Texas. Thomas and I had a deal for him to take his time driving across the country so I could seek adventure. The plan is for him to leave tomorrow for a SF arrival Weds or Thursday. Getting excited to get to my final destination and begin my re-assimilation to the Bay Area.

Easy Rider Out

PS: Would love to hear your comments and please pass on the blog to anyone who may like to follow along.

Arizona

Tucson Arizona
Staying at Moma Larson's House

Sonoran Desert

 Having a blast again. I left Mason Texas a few days ago and drove west on I-10 to Las Cruses New Mexico where I stayed in a hotel. Something of interest was driving through El Paso Texas. You can easily see the battlefield known as Juarez Mexico. It looked to me to be a failed state. The violence in that Mexican city of 1.5 million is almost beyond belief. And the day I was driving by a Border Patrol Agent shot and killed a 15 year old Mexican kid who was throwing rocks at the agents and then jumped the border. Then video shows a Mexican agent crossing the border, collecting spent shells and then putting them on the Mexican side. What a mess.

So I'm now at Toni Larson's house in Tucson. Toni is Tom Larson's mother, Tom the former skipper of Sandpiper and current captain of Sadie Sea. The last time I saw Toni was in Puerta Vallarta in 2005 while we were both visiting Tom and Amy during their first year of cruising.

Toni is a great guide. We've checked out the sights here in Tuscon. A really beautiful place. Kind of has a Austin feel to it. The population is way into all things outdoors and Tucson is home to the University of Arizona at Tuscon. There is so much to do, decisions had to be made on the touring front. We decided that a day spent in Tombstone AZ.

Tombstone was a smooth 90 miles south and east of Tuscon. The drive is through the vast Arizona desert and it was blazing. Temps were in the low 100's. The Green Hornet performed admirably under the strain.

Yes, the town is real tourist trap. But I thought it was amazing. The history of the place is so rich and even today the people who keep the legends alive are continuing its history. People walk around in costumes in character and interact with the tourist. So here are some pictures from the Tombstone day.

Lady of The Evening 1880's

Copper Mine Bisbee Arizona

Enjoy!

Capt Chris

Rain on the Scarecrow Blood on the Plow

Gamble Ranch, Mason Texas

I really think I could be a farmer. For a sailor, I sure do love large tracts of land. Always have. At first blush it may seem a bit odd, this passion for inland areas, tractors, plows and what not. But after digging a little further it really is not out of sync with an equal passion for the ocean. The sea is simply another type of wilderness. Another tract of open space. Really the ultimate in open space. An experienced sailor can extract many details from the surface of the ocean. Clues such as swell patterns, wind changes, distant islands unseen but for the pattern of the waves and the like. It may seem a little boring to the less experienced, but to someone who plys the water, it holds endless fascination. It is like that with the west Texas hill country. Dry, with stubby tree's, weird rock formations and rolling hills. But just sit for awhile and you'll start to notice all the birds, gopher holes, nooks where a rattler may reside and that prairie wind.

Many sailors either retire to the tundra or come from the inland tundra. Take Robin Lee Graham who circumnavigated as a 16 year old in 1974 and then followed it up with a bestseller, Dove. He resettled himself in Kalispell Montana and became a builder. Take the crew from Wandering Dolphin, they wandered their way aboard ship from Montana as well. If you spend some time reading about the old whaling captains from New England, you'll find many of them had farms. You see, I'm not nutts!

Me and Zooey

Dr. David is sure an interesting guy. After retiring as a Pediatrician 10 years ago he decided he just wouldn't watch the world pass him by in retirement, he'd just enter the stream and see where things lead. So I just think it was of the coolest things that he bought a tract of land and decided he'd learn about ranching. He has some cattle, a garden and some fields that will be developed someday maybe.
So the past couple of days I got to spend hanging out in the beautiful west central Texas country side. I got to plow the field for awhile in the John Deer and watched the Vet immunize all the cattle. Really interesting to watch the cattle being corralled and then pinned so they could be marked and poked and whatnot. We spent a peaceful night in the bunkhouse and had a great meal.

Pictured above in Gabriel and Dr. David. Gabriel came over from Mexico when he was 21 years old. He is now 75 and has been a rancher in Mason Texas since. A real cowboy who just belongs on the plains.

Sunsets in Mason Texas

I left this morning and restarted my journey west. I now sit in Las Cruses New Mexico. Tomorrow I plan on making it to Tuscon Arizona where I plan to stay with Moma Larson. Tom Larson's mom from Sadie Sea and Sandpiper fame. Let it be known, it is friggin hot here in New Mexico.

I've been uploading tons of pictures that you can view in my google photo album. Just click here or the links at the right or up top.

Farmer Chris

Sailing Texas Style/Austin

Austin Texas

I left Houston astern on Friday morning and headed for Austin. I made a stop at a Sonic Burger in the little ole Texas Town of La Grange. I dig it as this is the town made famous by the ZZ Top tune, aptly named La Grange. " You know what I'm talkin bout. Just let know if you go to that home out on the range."

But, I just couldn't wait to get to Austin. And I did. I am staying with the nicest people. Of course you all remember my buddy John Gamble, well I am staying with his Uncle David and Aunt Barbara in their beautiful home. Once again I have scored and scored big time. Here are a couple of pictures of the loft that I am staying in.

Uncle David is a retired Doctor, and someone I would label as "activity man." He is on the go no doubt. Aunt Barbara is a highly green thumbed gardener and excellent cook. I'm in great hands.

I can barley keep up blog wise with all the things we've done since I arrived. Here is a shot of Austin and the Colorado River that runs through the city taken at an over look.

On the little tour of pleasures through Austin we made a stop at Lance Armstrong's Bike shop named "Mello Jonny's Bike Shop" and followed that up with a stop at Whole Foods World Headquarters. I had to juice at HQ.

We followed up after a good nights rest with a bike ride first thing, before the Texas heat built in. We were joined by David's two friends, also physicians, so I felt pretty good about my traveling health care team, just in case I biffed. This ride gave me an even greater appreciation for my rapidly growing excitement of Austin. Not long after our bike ride we went for a tour of Austin. One of the highlights was checking out the Texas State Capital and the Campus of The University of Texas at Austin. Pictured below is the infamous Tower on the campus where Charles Whitman killed 14 and wounded 32 in a shooting rampage in 1966.

But what ya'll are really jazzed about is the fact David owns a J-24 and is an active racer out of the Austin Yacht Club. And so I put on my nautical thinking cap for this unexpected sail on Lake Travis.

Wow is Lake Travis beautiful. We had beautiful conditions of 10-15 knots out the southeast and plenty of boats to race against, all J-24's.

We raced in two races, placing 3rd and then 2nd. I really have little racing experience, so it really was exciting, especially jockeying for position at the starting mark and then rounding the windward and leeward marks. My job was in the pit. In charge of feeding the spinnaker out the hatch and then retrieving the beast. We had such a good time and I was really excited to find a very active sailing community in central Texas of all places. Another notch in the Austin belt of awesomeness.

What else have I done might you ask? Well, great dinners each night, with fresh veggies from the Austin community garden. And this morning I made it to a yoga class.

And this afternoon David and I toured the LBJ Library. Love the history of our nation. It is very humbling to see things like the Presidential Limo and the bible used to swear in LBJ moments after the JFK assassination in Dallas.  All the upheaval of Vietnam and the Civil Rights movement is well displayed in exhibits.

You have to ask, well what is left to do? I'm stoked to report that activity man owns a cattle ranch in the hill country of western Texas. So I'm heading to the ranch tomorrow where I will stay in the bunk house before pushing further west and closer to San Francisco on Tuesday.

Capt Chris

Houston Texas

Van Aller Residence, Houston Texas

I arrived in Houston Texas two days ago after my drive across the Bayous of Louisiana. This is my first time in Texas and am excited to check out the Lone Star State. I am staying with The Van Aller's who are a Coast Guard Family. I have somewhat of a sad story to tell.

The picture above was taken in Seattle in 1989. Pictured is Dan Adelsburger, Gary Van Aller and the kid. Gary passed away from Pancreatic cancer two years ago. He was 43. Tragic. He was my immediate supervisor aboard my first Coast Guard unit, USCGC Polar Sea, homeported in Seattle. He came into my life at a critical time. Only 2 or 3 years older than me, he had a maturity about him that I just lacked. He was a natural leader, very disciplined and intense. Of his subordinates Gary required the same work ethic and discipline. At the time this was a painful transition for me. He was not easy to work for, but you always knew where you stood and what was expected. He could be brutal sometimes and was relentless with me at a time when I was a directionless punk who needed his guidance. At the time I had no idea of the shaping that was going on and the deep impact he would have on me.

Gary would turn a painting detail into a space shuttle launch. This was serious business and not only would the end product be done correctly, but the process leading up to the painting had equal weight. The ends do not justify the means. For example, Gary would require of us to know all the nomenclature of a paint brush, understand the different types of hair on said brush and by god you never dip that brush move than 1/4 the length of the bristles into the paint bucket or you'd be cleaning all the brushes aboard ship in the paint locker. I always thought it a bit extreme that he would make me calculate the dew point daily and read the surface temperature of the bare metal to ensure we always painted 5 degree's above the dew point, in accordance with the Colors and Coatings Manual. I find it troubling that I still remember these details after 22 years. But as Gary would say, "details Allaire details."

I developed a somewhat different leadership style, less intense than Gary. But I was left with core traits passed down from him. Don't baby people, but treat them with respect. Don't abuse power, but use your power when appropriate, but sparingly. And sometimes, when in charge of many people, especially folks less than two years out of boot camp, you must set a strict tone or your division can and will descend into a range of disciplinary problems that will dominate all your attention. Not all people who join the military and make it through boot camp belong in the environment. A good leader will spot the ones who will thrive, but need direction and guidance, such as Gary did with me. Conversely, I could spot the ones who would not make it from miles away. I likely would not waste my time with them. The rub with this is, the ones that you care for and want to develop are the ones who likely will find you, say a little brash. They will think why is this guy riding me all the time. But after a period of time you end up with deep friendships. This is how things worked between Gary and I. After awhile, he eased up on me, kicked me out of the proverbial nest and watched me take on more and more responsibility.

Here is a lesson from all you boneheads like me. Gary called me and left a message on my work phone. I was constantly on the road and staying in hotels and when I received the message I failed to call him back. Just busy. He said, "hey scumbag, you forget where you come from?" He passed away maybe two months later. I had no idea how sick he was and certainly didn't volunteer this information. Not in his nature.

I am staying with Gary's wife Peggy and their two children, Eric and Alex. Gary met Peggy during  that era in Seattle. What a great era it was. I've never me their children before, but I surely can see he left his permanent stamp on them. Very respectful. A real chip off the old block. It is obvious that he prepared his life in such a way that his family will be well cared for once he crossed the bar.

The VA's and Me

So thank you to Peggy and the kids for hosting me on my journey west. It is greatly appreciated and I think Gary would be pleased know I stopped at the home he and Peggy build. RIP Gary!

Capt Chris

PS: Any and all comments are appreciated. Don't forget that I have to push the publish button on the comments, so they will post soon after you comment. Next stop Austin Texas!

New Orleans

India House Youth Hostel, New Orleans LA

I rolled up the tent and was off before 8am this morning, bound for New Orleans. Was an uneventful 200 mile drive and I arrived and was checked into the India House by noon time. It has been awhile since I stayed at a youth hostel and it always is an experience. Youth hostels are not for everyone, that is for sure. The requirements for India House are you must be an American Student or a foreigner on "holiday." Since I'm an admitted student and I hold a Florida drivers license, I made the grade.

For twenty bucks I have a bunk with 7 others. Shared bathroom (male and female combined, we are in an enlightened age mind you) galley, pool, wi-fi and tons of people from all corners of the planet. It really is a trip. Mostly folks in there twenties, everyone is either computing or texting, or Skyping. Most are drinking beer and lounging at the pool. A real scene indeed!

After a brief respite, I walked the 31 blocks to the French Quarter and Bourbon street. Pretty much what I had expected. It is very charming, but for a guy who doesn't drink, it's kind of hard to partake of all the debauchery.

Onward. Pat Hood and I go many years back. In fact we were stationed together aboard USCGC Washington in the early 90's. You can check some of those pictures by clicking here. Pat is just finishing up his tour with the Coast Guard here in New Orleans. Well he popped his head in at the India House unexpected like. I had not seen him in over 10 years, and then there he was.

Pat took me for a quick spin around New Orleans, especially the hardest hit areas from Katrina. Pat knows a thing or two about the storm. He is a Marine Investigator with the Coast Guard and was stationed here during the storm.

Condemed House Lower Ninth Ward

He took me to the Lower Ninth, which still looks like a disaster zone. The place is pretty sketchy. We didn't do any stopping along the way to chat with folks sitting on destroyed porches. Pretty sad. Not convinced it is worth it to re-build such a place. But I fully recognize that I don't come from the place and don't want to be cavalier about it.

We then took a spin to a little restaurant that sits adjacent the New Orleans Coast Guard Station. I woofed on some Cajon Gumbo and a salad. Pat also took me to the exact spots where the levee's broke sealing New Orleans fate. You can see the discoloration in the cement below where new concrete has been used to patch the levee. We also checked out the two dozen or so gigantic Cat Diesel pumps used to pump out the flood zones and control the levels in Lake Ponchatran. What a trip.

Levee Break Lower Ninth Ward

 

 

 

Tomorrow I take off for Houston. I don't think I need another day in New Orleans. I suppose there are more things to check out, but time is pressing me west and if I'm going to burn time I'd rather do it else where. So I leave you with the below picture I took today. I love the paddle wheel boats, otherwise known as Steamers. Reminds me of Benjamin Button.

Capt Chris

Happy Memorial Day!

Fort Pickens National Park, Pensacola Florida

A huge thank you and shout out to all veterans, especially those in combat previous and present.

Pensacola Florida

 Today I left my parents house in Central Florida to start my drive out to San Francisco. I sprinted in light traffic for about 425 miles and secured a campsite at Fort Pickens National Park in Pensacola by mid afternoon. The place is wonderful and more desolate than I expected. The park sits on a barrier island named Santa Rosa, at the entrance to Pensacola's voluminous bay. The Fort was erected in 1824 and has multiple batteries facing the sea to repel invaders.

It is very beautiful here as you may be able to gather from the pictures. I set up shop and headed to the beach for a swim. The water must be in the 80's, calm and teeming with life.  A gaggle of bat rays went swishing by me as I was standing in water up to my knee's. I pressed further into the park on the bay side and was really bummed to see a fleet of boats deploying boom along all the bayside beaches. I suppose it is good, in the sense that they are getting ready, just in case the dreaded Gulf Oil Spill impacts Florida.

I've now set up a small base of operations at my picnic table  at campsite Delta 23, where I am typing to you from. Wonder how I get on the internet? My Blackberry is tethered to the Macbook. What cool technology for those of us who like to be connected.

I plan on pulling stakes tomorrow morning and heading for New Orleans. First time for me in the Big Easy. I'll catch up with you all then.

Camper Chris

Christa is Loaded and West Bound

Central Florida. At the Rents

Elvis has left the building. So to speak. The shot below was my last glimpse yesterday as Christa headed onto San Carlos BLVD in FT Myers Florida north and then westbound for the Pacific. I think Christa was very emotional when she realized she had been classified as an "Oversize Load." No girl likes that designator.

 My last two days prior to Christa being loaded were very long days. I worked right up until the moment the boat and mast were loaded onto the flatbed. There is only so much prep one can do prior to. I prepped the standing rigging, by loosening all the turnbuckles and straitening all the cotter pins. A thankless job that will wound even the most careful rigger. I have two slices on my knuckles to prove it. I moved from my slip to the travel lift slip on the high tide Thurs and within 15 minutes the mast was unstepped and laying on two saw horses. I spent the next 5 hours prepping the mast to prevent chafe as she vibrates westward in the flatbeds mast cradle.

It was then a time consuming process of unbolt all the gear and strappinf it down onto the deck. Made more difficult by the brilliant sunshine and temps in the 90's. I then went to work below, stowing everything and generally using pillows and settee cushions to wedge everything in to mitigate any movement.

A quick note about Olsen Marine. Very very professional. I originally contracted with a boat yard next door. But it quickly became clear they really were not interested in my business. They consistently put up road blocks in front of my plans. So I ended up at Olsen's. Right out of the gate Dominick, a former Marine and Swat Team leader and now El Jefe of OM, was awesome. Every step that was planned ended up being done early and professionally. I had Dom's personal cell in case of any issues and all estimated dollar figures came in accurate. All in for the yard end I payed $1100. So for anyone who is in need and is in the FM area, please hire Olsen Marine.

 

Now onto the trucking portion. As I blogged before the truck is about two weeks late. But the driver, Thomas Duncan, has been a peach. It's not like at the last minute he let me know he'd be late. He engaged early which gave me plenty of time to re-tool my schedule. And after the reschedule he stayed true to the new date. Thomas is a tall Texan with the drawl to go with his height. His lingo is laced with industry terms like, "pull permits, " "dag gom feds" and "load bearing." He's a pro and proud of his equipment and work ethic. Of I am highly amused over his motto plastered on both sides of his rig. I love it! So Christa is in his care now. Tom is going to make a stop at his home in Texas for much needed R&R. He hasn't been home in weeks. This gives me some breathing room for driving across the USA in the Green Hornet. Christa's ETA to KKMI Shipyard in Richmond CA is June the 11th. 

My general plan is to leave my parents house on Monday and head to Pensacola FL and camp for the night. Then onto New Orleans, Houston and then Austin TX. That's as far as I can see right now.

Care to comment? Would love to hear from you and if you enjoy my blog please recommend it to family and friends! The more the merrier!

Aloha!

Capt Chris

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Shipyard FT Myers Florida

Moored Olsen Marine, FT Myers Florida
Moving to California in a Week. Why? Click here.

I've been busy getting Christa ready for her trip out to California. I spent most of yesterday stripping the sails and lifelines while still on the mooring. This morning, I floated in on the high tide to the docks of Olsen Marine with just inches under the keel. At least in California I won't have to be so hyper sensitive to depth. But, of course I'll have to contend with San Francisco Bay's notorious current!

As you can see, once I tied up I was able to remove the boom and some of the other rigging. Tomorrow I'll tinker with all the cotter pins on the rigging and start backing off the turnbuckle's in anticipation of the mast un-stepping scheduled for this Thursday. We'll take care of that while waterborne in the travel lift slip. Once that is complete I'll come back to the same slip and await for the truck to arrive. The truck is now enroute to SC to drop off another boat and may arrive this Friday, but most likely the truck won't be able to be on arrive in time to do everything prior to Memorial Day weekend. So my best guess is Tuesday June 1st is the big day. Meanwhile I will be back and forth to Naples to enjoy the shore side amenities.

I am happy with how things are unfolding. The yard folks have been spot on. All are retired military or former military. We all speak the same language. Beautiful. The weather is tough sometimes though. It's very hot and now each afternoon has ushered in thunderstorms. Nothing to get sweaty about, but they have produced a serious deluge. Tired of pumping out the dingy.

Yesterday, this dragon fly planted himself upon my iPad. Of course I reached for the Canon G11.

Capt Chris

 PS: Update 26 May. Truck is confirmed for a 28 May pick up. Yahoo!!!!!