Hitchcock's THE BIRDS - shot on location in Avila Bay

WHAT A NIGHT !!
We pulled away from the dock, heading in the direction of the thick marine layer .... because that's where the open ocean was!! There would be a full moon this night but with the fog creeping in so fast, it didn't look likely that we would be seeing it ..... and this was labled a "moonlight cruise". HOWEVER, the moon was not really our reason for being out here. It was the graduation ceremony for the newest of Pecho Coast Trail docents. The trail leads to the Pt San Luis Lighthouse. It was also my Captains' 1 year anniversary of the same, making his 76th hike to date. (insert fanfare here) He would have loved it to be #100, but gee ..... we go on trips & vacations & dr appts, etc - so "life" interfered with that goal. but I digress ... back to the boat trip. It was incredible.

from the frenzy of sooty sheerwaters, gulls and cormorants feeding on schools of anchovy, to the sea lions covering the breakwater (and a few bouys as well), to the otters floating in the kelp beds with their pups! We sailed thru the middle of what appeard to be thousands of birds, floating on the water, diving down to catch fish, and surrounding us in the air like a swarm of bees. It was eerily exciting. Soon, flocks of pelicans joined in the feasting. There was so much to take in .... we saw egrets standing on the thick kelp & night herons flying overhead. The fog was behind us as we cruised out ..... glass of wine in hand, chatting, & sharing ooooh & ahhhs with new found friends. Dolphins played in the wake, harbor seals were slipping in & out of view & someone called out when they saw whale spouts in the distance.

2 hours later .... tummys full & feeling the chill in the air, we returned to the dock and shared a moment of silence together in remembrance of a recently passed lighthouse keeper (Walt Musso). We shared one last toast to the night & praised our luck for living in such a wonderful place that others just come & visit for a few days! It was a wonderful evening & after meeting some of the new members ... I might consider putting some time into the lighthouse myself after I enjoy a bit of retirement. ahhhhh life is good (and I deserve it)