Monday, October 27, 2008

TITANIC (minus the iceberg and the whole wreck… of course!)


This blog is dedicated to both: mon père et mon frère

SO, for those who haven’t heard the rumors, yes indeed, it’s true. Scott and I decided to end the trip in San Diego. We are content with our decision. After much assessments and consideration, we are ready to further our adventures on more solid ground, some place where there is no ice in the fridge, no anchor in the bed, and no 3 mile walk to ANYWHERE (even if its just , oh-you know… going to the washroom). Hum, let see, where did I leave you last…

From San Luis Obispo, our aim was to set out to the Cojo Anchorage. It happens that Point Conception is in the center of those two destinations. This point has been known to be quite gnarly if not pass at a convenient window of appropriate weather condition. It is our last overnight trip. By now, Scott as acquired a kind of aversion for traveling at night. You would too if you would have seen the bottom of a cooler one too many times! Luckily for us, Mother Ocean decided to be flat as a pond. Although, it seems we were too distracted the notice the sea’s charity. We are intensely looking at giant oil contraption that are laid out in a line up, each a couple miles from each other, every single one coming right out of Star Wars. A kind of irony set in; how such colossal man-made rigs could be implemented in the great ocean life seem so wrong in almost a troublesome way.

In the morning, we discover the Cojo Anchorage is right in front of a surf spot. Imagine a version of every surfer’s dream. Scott is jubilant, he’s at the “ranch” (I didn’t know either but it’s a famous surf spot).As we paddle over and back, I stop to let a dolphin or two pass. I try not to paranoid; wild dolphin (3 times my size) would never be unfriendly or unexpectedly transform into ferocious white shark… right?! After surf and breakfast we realize the boredom of being confine to a (very small) boat. I mean, there is so much napping, snaking and reading one can do. The next morning, the waves decide to leave, as do we. Santa Barbara awaits us.

Santa Barbara Harbor is busier than expected; sailboats, motor boats, fishing boats, not to forget wind and kite surfers that pass so close, we can almost smell there cologne. After being anchored for too many days, being tied to a dock feels more like a Ritz Carleton than a Marina. There, we took in the striking away of mountain tops in a city were people’s cheek don’t move (botox?) and were every second car is a Range Rover. After 2 days in prosperous land, off we go again. Destination-Oxnard.

Now this trip is exciting as it is celebrated by not having to wear our foul weather gear, a sort of baptism to Southern California. Upon arrival, we go surfing. FINALLY, Oxnard has waves for me (a version of every beginner’s dream). I can surf for real (minus a couple of wipe-outs but who’s counting!). My dad was in a neighborhood and came for a visit. How nice it was to talk to a familiar face, to have good conversation and fine food!

The next day, we are ready to leave Oxnard for Marina Del Rey. A less than 10 knots wind turns into 35 knot full force one, right in front of us. Buckets of water are getting into the boat as we’re both drench, covered with salt stains. We’ve given up on the weather a long time ago, so we let it go and turn around. Our second attempt is better. The sunset is upon us. Dolphins are everywhere, jumping in herds from all places. But unlike last time, the water is clear, clean with no wake. Night is upon us. Scott goes to the bow and hurries for me to come. For balance, I hold on to the front of the boat and in turn Scott holds me. There they are- dolphins. Dolphins of every size, jumping and going along with the boat. We can almost touch them as they splash on our faces. They propel and catapult there body in the air sometime showing there fins, other times their belly. But even more miraculous is the fluorescent lights they create. No worries, no burden could gravitate around this Titanic moment. Rose and Jack would have killed for this! In this instant, we might just have been the Kings ( and Queens) of the world. As I recall, it was pure, joyous and simple. This was undoubtedly, one of the many experiences that make this trip unforgettable.

In some ways, it is hard to end this sailing trip. Let’s face it, moments like these don’t happen at home while watching Flipper (or Titanic for that matter) on your sofa. But ending is not so hard because here is to being real, true and unashamed. Life is filled with endless, countless, INFINITE possibilities of creating the unthinkable…. and THAT’S the real freedom of it all.

p.s: P’a et Alexi: I don’t need a blog to embrace you in my adventures. In case you already didn’t know, you are ALWAYS part of my most profound and everyday inspirations.

Till next time… xoxo

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