Summer 2012 - June & July

Two of our dearest friends, Keith & Shirley, visited Ventura in June. The day we invited them for dinner I received an email notice from Facebook saying that it was Shirley's birthday.  I know darn well that her birthday is in February but when I saw the notice I panicked and added a dessert complete with candles to the menu.  By the time I served dinner I realized the mistake, so instead we celebrated "Shirley's Fake Facebook Birthday"!

Also in June, Sarah, Jeff & Marco came down to Santa Barbara for Jeff's cousin's wedding.  We didn't want to miss seeing them when they were so close so we drove up to meet them for lunch.  Love these two pictures taken outside the restaurant:

In July my Aunt Katie visited from Montana.  She joined us aboard Poseidon for lunch (Grilled Halibut with Nectarine Salsa and Grilled Tri Tip):

Sister, Sister:

For the 4th of July we cruised out to Santa Cruz Island for several days.  One of our boat neighbors for the weekend:

Mike and Linda Malloy also went out on their boat Cazadora and one of the highlights of our trip was Linda's incredible halibut catch.  Her fishing luck didn't start out great:

But when we moved our boats over to Prisoner's Harbor her luck changed:

What a beautiful fish! John cleaned it aboard Poseidon and we ate it four different ways that afternoon-sashimi, ceviche, sushi rolls and finally grilled - delicious!! 

A few other pictures from our beautiful, calm trip:

Later in the month we made another trip to Santa Cruz Island for our marina's annual picnic at Prisoner's Harbor.  The marine weather prediction was not great for that side of the island so we spent the first night at Smuggler's, buzzed over to Prisoner's for the picnic and then back to Yellowbanks for the next couple of days.  Peter & Lynne came with us so a good time was guaranteed.

Looking at the sea life in the underwater lights.  Lots of funny jelly fish this year:

Dinghy dock at Prisoner's pier:

We didn't do very well in the horseshoe competition this year, but Lynne and I came in 1st and 2nd in the golf chipping contest:

Back at anchor at Yellowbanks, the McDermott's came to visit.  Jim gave free-dive lessons to his youngest son and Lynne and the kids always love jumping off the top of our boat:

And a couple of our favorite things to do at the islands -- dinking: 

And bellying up to the bar:

And because this is "Poseidon's Galley":

Seared Ahi with Edamame & Citrus Salad:

June Farmer's Market Bounty:

Homemade Bacon:

Homemade Potato Chips:

Cheers!

More summer fun to come....