TRASH

Sorry it has taken so long to update the blog, but we have again had some major challenges to overcome. However, all is well once again. We decided to leave Port Hueneme in the wee hours so that we would arrive in Avalon Bay at Catalina Island at around daylight the next morning. Upon approaching the breakwater I asked my daughter, Tammy, to check the oil pressure and water temperature for me, as I am unable to see them from the helm (a condition that WILL be remedied in the near future). Upon checking them she said that there seemed to be a little smoke coming out from behind the gauges. I had her take the helm so I could investigate the source. As I emptied the lazarette to investigate the smoke increased rapidly. Within a few minutes the cabin was filled with smoke to the extent of zero visibility. We were unable to shut down the engine due to our proximity to the breakwater. I called out to Judy to procure a fire extinguisher and radioed the Coast Guard of our situation and instructed the crew to put on life vests. I then entered the cabin, removed the companionway ladder and opened the engine compartment. Visibility was at zero and there was no glow coming from inside, indicating that for the time being there was no actual flame. As a previous Fire Fighter/EMT I took this as an indication of some extra time to find the source of the smoke. About this time we cleared the breakwater and I was able to shut down the engine. There was still no flame visible so I opened the cabin hatch, with an extinguisher at the ready, in an attempt to vacate the smoke through the engine compartment and out through the lazarette. While this was done I stood at ready with the fire extinguisher to kill any flames that could erupt due to the ventilation draft. The smoke began to clear with no eruption of flame. Another good sign. As all of this transpired I was in constant contact with the Coast Guard informing them of the situation.


As the smoke cleared the Harbor Patrol arrived and inquired of the situation. The young man was very professional and extremely courteous. It is a pleasure to know that such people still exist in our chaotic society today. Later it was discovered that he was new to the job, but by the way he handled the situation and his boat, you would never have known it. This young man (Mr. Collins) did an excellent job of towing the boat back to the Harbor Patrol dock. Upon arrival we were informed that we could use their dock to complete our repairs and were welcome to use any of their facilities we required. I can’t say enough about the courtesy extended to us by the Harbor Patrol there.

As it turned out, our problems were multiple. The impellor in the raw water pump was fried. This was due to the sea cock on the raw water intake being too loose and vibrating shut while under power. This of course caused the impellor to self destruct, which in turn caused the hose at the end of the exhaust riser loop to blow, which in turn caused the wet muffler to go dry collapsing the hose connection and heating the exhaust to a point that melted the bilge hoses that were against it. Hence the smoke! Once this was all repaired, I thought we were once again ready to embark on our journey. Not even, when the engine was started the water that is supposed to exit out of the stern, exited out the hose connection on the muffler. No problem, right? Just tighten the hose clamps. When I did that, the male outlet that the hose goes over collapsed. Shit, now what? There were none available and would have to be ordered. We ordered one and had it sent to my daughter's in San Diego. In the meantime it was get out the fiberglass. I made a mold out of aluminum can to make a new neck to attach the hose to, and then glassed over the whole top where it was cracked and about to fall apart. It was now 2:36pm.  Once again the engine was started, but this time all was well. The only problem was the smell of smoke, which had now dissipated, thank God! Off again to Avalon, a bit late, but problems resolved!

We timed our arrival to be early morning during the daylight hours. The slip promised turned out to be a buoy, with no electric or fresh water. Oh well, can’t win em all. Catalina is beautiful, but very expensive. We went to see the botanical gardens and memorial, which were very nice and not too pricey. Judy and I decided to go for a walk while Tammy slept off “ too much fun” from the night before. We went up, and I do mean up, the hill to the bell tower and the Zane Grey pueblo. The view of the harbor was great and we took some good photos. At this point we decided to continue up the road to the top for a better view. A ways up we saw the Zip Line where people get their thrills by hooking themselves to a cable and speeding down over the canyons. The cost? Why, a mere $92.00 per person. On our way we started to notice the trash thrown out along the side of the road. It was not excessive, but seemed so, due to Catalina Islands general cleanliness. Judy is always picking up other peoples trash and putting it in a garbage can. I have also been known to do this, but not near as adamantly as her. We began to make a game of who could find and pick up the most along the way until we came to a gate blocking the road. A sign informed us that to continue up the road we must buy a permit for $12.00 each back in town. Shit, you can’t even walk on a public road without paying. We called the number on the sign and were informed that if caught by a Ranger on the road we could get in trouble. Judy and I discussed it and decided to risk it. I mean, who could justify fining people who are picking up trash along a road, for being on it without a $12.00 permit? We went up the road. About two or three miles further there was a turn-out cul-de-sac that overlooked the ocean. As we walked down picking up more trash we looked over the side and discovered a mass of trash (mostly cans & bottles) on the slope. Well look at all that fun!

Yep, we dove over the side and started picking the trash off the side of this very steep slope dodging the cactus that populated this slope and carrying it back to the top. This continued for about fifteen minutes and as I was approaching the top with a load, I looked up to see a pickup pull up with a big “RANGER” sign on the side. Uh Oh! Now the shit starts! Well this Ranger exits his official vehicle and in a very commanding voice says “ what are you doing down there?” Of course my response was “ picking up trash”. He just stood there looking kinda dumbfounded for a minute and then said "Oh." in a somewhat smaller voice. I then asked if he had a bag we could have to carry it up the hill with, as it was difficult to carry very much in our hands. He became very accommodating, but unfortunately he didn’t have a bag. He offered to let us put the trash in the back of his truck, but upon me doing so, he decided it would be better for us to put it on the ground and for him to come back later and pick it up. He never did ask if we had a permit to be up there, he! he! Gee, I wonder if he forgot. We continued to pack trash up that slope for the next few hours until that hill looked decent once again. Catalina is such a beautiful place, it seemed a desecration to ignore such an eye-sore.

On our way back down the mountain road Judy and I began to discuss the abuse of our land by the people that inhabit it, and decided to do what we can to help clean it up. We will begin by taking at least one day at every port we stop in to pick up trash along any trails or roads we walk. We will do this regardless of where we are. We did notice that the majority of cans and bottles were of Anhauser Busch origin. This in turn gave us the idea of forming an association of world cruisers who are willing to join in this effort to do their part in a worldwide clean up of trash everywhere they go. We also decided to approach Anhauser Busch to give them the opportunity of getting in on the ground floor of this project if they so desire. We are not accusing them of anything, but they might want to help clean up the cans and bottles that their customers have so wantonly discarded. On this first and foremost endeavor, their products were in excess of eighty percent!

Upon returning to town we began to see the teaming hoardes of new arrivals to the island via ferry, sailing and motor yachts who were getting ready for the Catalina Grand Prix Motocross event (the first one being held there since 1958.) The two-day event began the next day and we climbed up a few hills to get a good view only to be dissappointed by the timidity of most of the riders (who mostly appeared to be over the age of 40, 50 and 60!) As Jay harumphed that he could ride faster than most of the entrants on his chopper an older woman next to him began bragging about HER "bagger" bike. Jay laughed and we had a good time anyway because we got there after the rain had stopped that had pelted the riders earlier in the day. (Hopefully the 800 riders and the attendant guests will pick up their trash when they leave...funny but we noticed they were carrying cases of Budweiser and other Busch products as they headed up the hills along side us!) We left early, mildly dissappointed at the event but had a GREAT pizza made by a tiny local shop and fed the pigeons (including a one-legged "pirate-looking" bird). We walked back to the dinghy dock and headed for our own little floating "island" of peace and quiet.

Our friends from Canada, Steve and Lodie, arrived yesterday and came by for a dessert and night cap visit in the evening to fill us in on THEIR adventures since last our paths crossed. This morning they headed out for Oceanside, as they want to get on to Mexico asap. We will head out in a few days.

We are excited about the FREE EVENT being held on Monday which is a once-a-year "open house" tour of the Wrigley Mansion (of the chewing gum family who once owned the island and contributed to keeping it a pure and beautiful place for over 56 years until a Conservancy was begun to continue their labor of love). A $1 taxi service will carry visitors up the steep hill where the 22 room mansion proudly sits above Avalon Harbor. It is said that Ada Wrigley, wife of magnate William Wrigley Jr., chose this spot for her home because it is the very first spot on the island to see the sun rise and set each day. What a treat! Can't wait for the holiday treats and singing around the family piano that is supposed to be part of the free event.