Whale Watching

"What should we do today?"

"Want to go whale watching?"

Oh yeah! One of the perks of being a volunteer is getting to take a ride on the Whale Watching boat for free if there is room and there was room today!  Not on the 9:00 morning boat, you know, when the seas are calm and the whales plentiful. But, there was room on the 2:00 when things are a bit choppier and the whales are a question mark.

While we waited, hanging around the wharf like wharf bums who drink Starbucks' lattes, I took some photos of a seagull who coasted in rather close to where we were hanging out.

Now for the whales.  The first shot has to be explained, I think.  This is not two whales taking a peek at us. This is one whale shooting straight up out of the water with its mouth open and gathering fish. 

And then, something I've waited, and wanted all my life to see:

Whoopie!  v had a great time, he felt very strong and happy at the end of our outing, but I noticed that he was quick to turn in after supper.  A few hours at sea can do that.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v

Sunrise in Moss Landing

We needed to do something different for a change of pace.  v has been having a very hard time with the chemo this round.  He has five days of pills left before his week's break.  A CT scan is scheduled for Thursday and we hope so much that the cancer has gone into remission so he can stop having to take all those pills.  He'll still have to have the infusions, but only one, instead of three, medications every three weeks.  

So, what did we do that was different?  We arose before dawn and headed out with the camera in search of a location to photograph. We ended up in Moss Landing at sunrise.  It was cold.  34 degrees F.  For the Central Coast of California that is really cold.

We watched the little tug pull the barge with the crane on it across the channel.  I can't really tell you what else they were doing.  It looked as though they transferred one, fairly small, piece of equipment onto a boat.  In the background is the Moss Landing PG&E plant that provides our electricity.  Behind the plant is the Elkhorn Slough.

We met a few other hardy souls out walking their dogs.  I think some folks live on their boats here.  It would be fun for a while, I think.  I'd enjoy being rocked to sleep.  And then there is that thought of just pulling up the anchor and heading off to another local.

This is one that v took a liking to.  A little spare for me, and possibly in need of too much TLC.

Phil's Fish Market is a local landmark.  During business hours this place is always busy.  Moss Landing is a small seaside town, but it is right on Hwy 1.  It's a favorite stop for tourists, MBARI and the Moss Landing Marine Laboratory are right along the same stretch (well, face it, it's the only stretch).  There are still a few funky residences but it looks like a small artists colony is sprouting.

There are far more boats than buildings in Moss Landing.  I noticed many boats are registered in San Francisco.

It is a tranquil spot for a spur of the moment sunrise ramble.

In bocca al lupo.  m & v