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November 09, 2024

Baja Ha-Ha – cruisers rally

Every November sailboats gather in San Diego for the Baja Ha-Ha for a 10 day cruise down Baja California to Cabo San Lucas. This year's boats came down from British Columbia, up from Mexico and even across from Arizona.

This year there were just 131 boats registered for the rally. The boat parade begins at the Chula Vista Marina and gathers other entrants and well wishers as it prepares for the 10 am start from the southwest tip of Shelter Island.

This is a rally, not a race, with fun stops and games along the way.

There was little wind in the morning only a few boats had their sails up, and those just for show as they motored out of the Big Bay past Point Loma to begin the southward journey.

I watched the boats gather from the fishing pier on Shelter Island. This group next to me was from San Jose. Their son and DIL are in the rally. They found each other, greeting with big waves and air horns.


From there I went up to the Cabrillo National Monument to view from there.

Outside the shelter of Point Loma the boats finally had their sails up.

Last time I was here the lighthouse was covered in scaffolding getting a new roof and fresh coat of paint. It definitely looked brilliant in the morning light.


I was a bit disappointed the interior was not also given a bit of a face lift.

In the display room, I noticed the sign on the small Fresnel lens from the Ballast Point lighthouse. 


I had not noticed that before, in fact not even knew Ballast Point had a lighthouse.


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It certainly makes sense as the point does stick out into the channel.


A Google search on Ballast Point Lighthouse revealed the building itself was moved to Lakeside to be used as a Ham Radio Shack. It's now a residence.

However the Lantern Room is on display in Old Town … on Congress Street … the trolley stop is on Congress Street. Of course I wanted to see it.

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Also at the trolley stop is this small memorial to Codi.

Codi - Old Town's Favorite Horse

Codi was often seen as Park Ranger Dick Miller patrolled Old Town.

photo credit: Cool San Diego Sights - link HERE
 

8 comments:

  1. Love, love, love light houses! We have been up and down both coasts and visited many of them. Great makeover on the Point Loma house, maybe they will do the interior later?

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    1. A lighthouse always has a great view! What's not to like about them? Not sure if the interior will get a bit of attention later. The stairs show that many folks have enjoyed using them.

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  2. Good morning Jeff…I always love your post of the Baja Ha Ha. The sails are so pretty. And I do miss the ocean! Point Loma is always a favorite when in San Diego and I have so many photos of the Lighthouse there…it doesn’t matter if it’s sunny, cloudy or foggy, I is so picturesque.

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    1. I agree Point Loma is always a great place to spend some time. Looking for a whale, watching the boats, or just to walk about, it never gets old.

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  3. What a treat to see all the boats from different views. How fun to live in a lighthouse!! Thanks for sharing the pieces on Codi, he must have been beloved by the community.

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    1. Good morning Jodee, Although I lived here a couple years while Codi was still patrolling the park, I regret I did not meet the mounted ranger.
      I do enjoy walking the paths at Point Loma.

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  4. How fun to watch the boats! You have so many good places and things to see right where you live, lucky man!

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    1. Good morning Suzi - San Diego is certainly not the sleepy little Navy town it once was. With our growth we gained a lot more options for reasons to get out and about.

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