Nice little "Guys" boating weekend to Emerald Bay at Catalina with DRYC and to play at the Boy Scout Camp. Thanks to the help of the DRYC cruise coordination we got to use the camp and play as if we were kids again.
Thomas and I took Thomas' friend Daniel and his dad Steve to spend the weekend on the boat. We got a nice inside spot not far from the pier. The crossing on Friday was smooth. The boys spent much on the time on the helm. Thomas has a great boat sense and I trust him on the helm.
What a nice change to relax and visit in the salon while the young men are up on top with sharp eyes out for float-sum and tanker ships. Steve and I had a good visit below. Relaxing.
The activities on shore stared Friday with a tour of the Eco Station and the aquariums. There is a very nice science center at the location. Good for kids and future science majors. There was one big sea hare in the touch the sharks tank that was able to scoot along fast until he was disturbed. Very interesting.
Saturday was nice camp experiences. Shooting... 22's, Arrows, Shotgun (trap style), 22's, pottery, Canoe races, hike about. We got much better on the targets the second time at the 22's. The shotgun shooting was fun. Typical 5 rounds each turn. Just enough to figure it out.
The lark was the Canoe races. I started to challenge a few folks to a $5 side bet on the Canoeing. Little did I know I started to pick a Lot of interest. We eventually filled every canoe that they had with 2 man teams. Thomas and Daniel were confident that they would beat their dads. Little did they know it takes a bit of skill and practice to effectively maneuver a canoe. Steve and I have the background of having mastered this in previous (more youthful times) canoe experiences. We smoked them all.
Steve and I in the foreground. Thomas and Daniel in the blue canoe.
Luckily we got paid by a few of the race competitors. We even accepted the souvenir shop coupons. So Steve and I wet up to the shop and bought a souvenir and the proceeds go to the scout camp.
After the race Thomas and Daniel went to rescue a fellow DRYC boat form a prop that was wrapped on the Sand Line. I'm very proud of his water skills and confidence. Using snorkel only they got the line off. It was wrapped 7 times or so. Good going.
The last day we tried to fish a little but were having a hard time of it. eventually Steve managed a nice sheepshead and we called it a victory! Then we headed for home.
Fish Wish Granted. Nice Weekend at the island with my son.
Fishing Dad,
Keith
