[CINC] Condor X 6/2/11

[paul jr petrich]

Ahoy Mates,
 Captain Mat and Dave took 36 passengers and Hal Altman (PI), Marty Garey, and myself directly out toward the gap between ESCI and Anacapa where the Blues and Humpbacks were sighted yesterday. Today we had a good look at one solitary male Humpback Captain Mat recognized "Ol' Stubby Tail." Ol Stubby gave us a lot of fluke shows with his abbreviated end piece. No dolphin showed today. We did have the sea lions, pelicans, and Storm Petrels all give our passengers good photo opts. 

  Our passengers represented the UK, Germany, Austria,Taiwan, Mass., NV., Ariz., and in minority, CA. One from the UK is setting an unofficial record on the Condor X! He and his wife now come straight to Santa Barbara every year on their vacation, shunning other CA and sights in the USA previously visited. The husbands goal is to spend every day in Santa Barbara whale watching on the Condor Express! He will get in 9 straight days this trip (his wife took time off to go shopping).

Viability was good with north vista from Point Conception to Point Magu visible. We also had a great view of most of the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, as the skippers turned eastward as we approached the midpoint of the island. Questions about the islands and their cultural histories were aplenty, and answered. Winds predicted did not match yesterday's , but about ten of the bravest passengers thrilled at holding on to the rails on the bouncing ride home along the coast from about Rincon Point. The skippers, and Matt the deck hand, were reminded to attend our picnic social at said point on Wed the 8th after they get off the Condor!  Paul Petrich
   
The winds were predicted to pick up again today, but never matched the excitement