Diving Santa Catalina

Sheepshead

Took the ferry to Avalon from Long Beach in order to see how the fishes were doing. Once we got checked in at the Canyon Inn, I started off with a couple dives at Casino point.

It was a great day for diving. Slightly overcast but not too windy. There were lot’s of the usual Chanel Island critters out. Garibaldis, lobster, sheepshead even a large sheep crab aka spider crab, hiding in the weeds. There was an octopus but something had already made a meal out of most of it. Water temp was very pleasant at around 58F.

Afterwards I was very glad that the Inn offered a free shuttle as I wouldn’t want to hike back up the hill to my room.

More Pics: https://captnemo.smugmug.com/Places/California/Channel-Islands-Trips/Catalina-2023/

Going to the Zoo

Flamingos

Well more like went to the zoo. The L.A zoo in Griffith park.

Our first stop was Kalinka Russian Cuisine for lunch since I didn’t want to pay for over priced food at the zoo. The food was very tasty and it was just a short way from the zoo.

The Zoo is a combination Botanical garden with vegetation chosen to match the animals enclosure.

Plants

Near the entrance we watched a harbor seal for a bit before heading uphill (the whole zoo is on a hill so lots of uphill) Passing the Flamingos and reaching the reptile exhibit.

We made our way through various other exhibits and by the time we reached the hilltop near the Elephant enclosures we realized it was getting late as a great many of the animals were retreating inside as it got cooler. After a brief stop to watch the Flamingos being shooed inside by their caretaker, We headed back down and went out in search of our own dinner.

More pics: https://captnemo.smugmug.com/Animals/LA-ZOO-/

Painted Cave

Took a break from the heat by heading to the coast. Island Packers has a combo trip that goes to Prisoners harbor on Santa Cruz Island and then on around to Painted cave. We had a great trip out as the ocean was particularly calm so we were able to see even more dolphins then I spotted on previous trips.

The cave is big enough (approx. 1225′ long) they can drive the whole boat inside it! Dad spotted some interesting Dudlyea growing near the entrance.

Back at the Harbor, we got a little confused since I was used to landing at Scorpion bay and prisoners harbor is a completely different end of the island! We went for a short walk then ate lunch and watched an island fox sneak around looking for leftovers.

All too soon it was time for the trip home. We had a delicious sea food dinner in Ventura before heading back to the heat.

Return to the Road

After a year of staying at home, it’s been a relief to head out and see some of the world again.

Riding above Kernville

I did a couple of trips in June to escape the heat in the valley. Drove up to Tehachapi to see if my spark ev would make it -it didn’t, had to get towed the last couple miles to the charger 😦 . Next I took a ride up Kern Canyon. There was a slight delay in the canyon(I178) due to construction but otherwise lots of easy riding through plenty of twisties- went to Kernville for lunch then on to Sequoia and the lovely cool trees. Saw the sad aftermath of the fires near Camp Nelson. Then returned to the insufferable heat in the valley.

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https://captnemo.smugmug.com/Places/California/Kern-County/Tehachapi-and-Sequoia-June-2021/

Xin Nian Kuai Le

Little did we know what the year had in store for us in February. We hadn’t seen social distancing and the pandemic was still just a mysterious illness that was affecting a few people. In our blissful ignorance we made our way to what would prove to be one of the last large events we would attend for quite some time.

The drive down to LA was uneventful and we even arrived early enough to get a great parking spot near the center of all the days events.

Since we were early we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at a small bakery in the square and I read up about how Dr Sun had gone to school in Honolulu and had been financially supported by many supporters of the revolution in Los Angeles.

With breakfast out of the way we walked along the shops checking out the things for sale and tried to scope out a good place to watch the parade.

Bruce with Bruce, and Lora in the background

We even got to watch some dragon dancers perform while we waited.

Eventually we picked a spot on the sidewalk and prepared to wait for the parade. LAPD kept the crowd entertained while we waited.

Eventually it was time for the parade!

My favorite part is the dragons.

Afterwards we were pretty hungry so we made our way over to Hong Kong BBQ which served up a delicious meal. It was a great trip and we decided to head home afterwards since we were all pretty tired.

You can see the rest of the pictures here