A round trip interstate drive across the beautiful states of Arizona and New Mexico to hand over Francis to my parents went smoother than I could have hoped for.  Cruise control set at 75 mph, following a generic interstate road offered up no surprises.  Just what I wanted; plenty of gas stations, Taco Bells, and Starbucks within a quarter mile of an exit.  I brought along the IPod, but didn’t need it because surfing for music on the radio and talk shows passed the time. Besides wishing I had more time to visit with my parents, the only other thing I would have liked on the trip, is to have ventured off the interstate and driven the Historic Route 66, also known as the “Mother Road” in John Steinbeck’s novel, The Grapes of Wrath.  But, not this time.  I needed to get to Phoenix faster than a pokey two lane road would allow.  1240 miles of solo driving in 36 hours; a simple journey with a quick glimpse of trees, flowers, buildings, and rock formations.

With seven days to go until Seamore Pacific’s dock lines are untied and she heads south to warmer waters, I wonder in earnest, how will it be?  The first leg will be from San Diego to Turtle Bay.  What will it feel like to have 2 1/2 days of ocean pass beneath her hull, changing winds tickle and fill her sails, and the sun charge her batteries and power her instruments?  That’s assuming Hurricane Raymond doesn’t add in a few unseasonable surprises.  Unlike rural routes becoming obsolete to interstate road systems, sailing routes endure time.  No engineered salt water and wind improvements have been invented to replace the longitudinal sea highway from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas.  We aren’t guaranteed a fast, predictable, and efficient trip.  Just when I begin to get smug about sailing the same waters as explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, I think of Steve Jobs and Apple.  What would the two talk about?  Would Steve say to Juan, “Hey dude, this is an I Pad.  Download the Navionics App for fast, predictable, and efficient navigation.”

This time next week, somewhere between Turtle Bay and Bahia Santa Maria, I’ll imagine Juan and John singing Jimmy’s song.

A Pirate Looks At Forty by Jimmy Buffet.

Compliments of Latitude’s 38, this is next week’s schedule of events:

October 27, 1:00 p.m. – The Annual Ha-Ha Halloween Costume Party and BBQ in the West Marine parking lot. Co-hosted by West Marine and Mexico Tourism. Come in costume! Skipper and First Mate get T-shirts, hats, tote bags and other souvenirs, as well as a free Mexican ‘tune-up’ dinner. Dinner and beverages for additional crew is $10. T-shirts and other souvenirs will be for sale. 1250 Rosecrans St, San Diego; (619) 225-8844.

October 28, 10:00 a.m. – Baja Ha-Ha Kick-Off Parade. Complete schedule:
9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. – South Bay boats pass San Diego to Harbor Island.
9:45 a.m. – All boats gather off America’s Cup Harbor between Harbor Island and Shelter Island.
10:00 a.m. – Parade past southwest corner of Shelter Island past San Diego fireboat.
11:00 a.m. – America’s Cup starting gun begins Baja Ha-Ha XX.
View a diagram of the parade route here. For more information, contact the San Diego Port Tenants Association, (619) 226-6546.

October 28, 11:00 a.m. – Start of Leg One for all boats off Coronado Roads – about 90 minutes from Cabrillo Isle Marina. Wear your Halloween costume on the starting line and be eligible for a special prize!

October 31, Halloween! – No-host party at Vera Cruz Restaurant in fabulous downtown Turtle Bay.

November 1 – Famous Turtle Bay Beach Potluck Party from 11 a.m. until sundown. Be careful landing your dinghy – you don’t want to be dumped and have your outboard chop you up!

November 2, 8:00 a.m. – Start of Leg Two to Bahia Santa Maria.

November 4 – ‘Bahia Santa Maria Day’ – a lazy layday meant for relaxing and exploring the Bay.

November 5 – Hiking, beach walking, sports and beach party – if surf permits – at Bahia Santa Maria.

November 6, 7:00 a.m. – Start of Leg Three from Bahia Santa Maria to Cabo San Lucas.

November 7 – ‘Can’t Believe We Cheated Death Again’ dance and party madness for the young at heart at Squid Roe until the last body falls. Optional.

November 8 – Cabo Beach Party all afternoon on the beach and perhaps with bonfire into the evening. Details on the site and time to be announced later. Hopefully we’ll get discounted food and drinks again this year. Either way, no problema for a fleet that knows how to have fun.

November 9 – Awards Presentations hosted by Cabo Marina adjacent to the fabulous launch ramp in Cabo. Maybe there will be a couple rounds of free beer again this year – but you never know.