Playing Hooky...

Great time had by all.  Got to get out for Rudy's bday recently to celebrate his day on the water.  Tested out his new electronics and took a run approximately 20 miles south to the Mussel Shoals Point near Point Sal.  Everyone had a great time.

Rudy getting his navigation on!

Rudy making sure everyone else is getting fish!

Rudy's little hand puppet

Korey got his big Red...

Praise God for these times and Happy Birthday to Rudimus!

Fathers Day Fun 2011 - Lopez Adventure Challenge

Got to experience the 2011 Lopez ARS with my good friend and boss, Rudy.  The weather and race did not dissapoint and the race directors added a new special treat to the format - a zip line!

We entered the event with no expectations except to work as a team.  For the first time, Rudy and my age totaled 90 years which through us into the Masters Men mix.  Don't let the age bracket fool you, there was another very competitive team who was primed and ready to win the division.  To our surprise, we beat the other team and won the Masters Male division and hit the 2nd place spot overall...  So cool.

Rudy did a fine job and pushed himself on the MTB.  He was even kind enough to talk me through a quad cramp on the run.

It was fathers day that day.  A fitting day to exercise and take on a treat as men!  The kids and our wives had a blast and we are grateful to them all for their support to our madness.

(Yours truly going Tarzan!!!)

(The kiddos in their groove.  What a blast!)

(Rudy and Jeff 2nd Overall and First Place Masters Male)

So grateful for these special times.  Praise God for Rudy and my family for the enjoyment on this years fathers day.  Hope more of these adventures are in the future...

The Opener

Rudy treated me and Juda to a dive trip to Santa Cruz Island the first day of the Lobster season. The experienced folks call it "the opener." Met Rudy at 5am to load and drive his boat to Santa Barbara Harbor and made the channel crossing to Santa Cruz Island. Thankful for maps, compass, charts, and GPS since we were in total fog until we reached the island. It took approximately 1:15 since there was moderate chop on the water.

Cap'n Rudy at the helm with a very accurate land in fog on the north end of SC.

We arrived on the north end of the island and immediately found a spot, anchored, and jumped in. Rudy dove with me and we spent time exploring this edge for over an hour on the first dive. It was an amazing experience.

First Dive spot. Note the beautiful and shear rock faces and kelp forests. The caves are were the bugs are.

Our first dive was awesome and Rudy really showed me the ropes. Between a dive depth of 20-50 feet at various areas, we saw Calico Bass, a few lobster (I missed it...), crabs, and many other sea creatures. It was amazingly beautiful and full of color and adventure.

Rudy and Juda suited up while I ran a live boat for better dive access.

Rudy in his ocean element. Look at the smile!

Judas monster bug!

Yours truly took the run home. I was pretty off the return run in the fog but not too bad.

Finished and ready for the drive home. Rudys boat is one amazing craft and very sea worthy. The SB Channel has its reputation and this boat can handle some very nasty seas.

Pictures in the live well.

Well, not so live. Dinner table the following night! Tasty buggers!

Really enjoyed my first California opener. Between myself, Rudy and Juda, 17 total bugs on the trip. I was not much help to these experienced lobstermen since they both limited out. Time and experience will kick in and make me more productive. Looking forward to more dives and ocean runs with Rudy.

Ceche Pescado

Run up the coast out of Morro Bay approximately 10 miles just above China Cove and the Abalone Farm. Second time on Rudy's ocean liner and it was great. 2 legal ling cods, 1 dogfish, and an assortment of rock fish including olives and blues.

The crew shaking out the secret spots or simply guessing...? This'l do...

Locked and loaded. The hunt is on!

Yours truly with a barely legal ling say an inch over or 25".

Rudy's fish and an inch or so bigger than mine. Figures!

Cool Run.