The Big Bay - Boats and Bombs

As a local we refer to the San Diego Bay as the ‘Big Bay ‘and Mission Bay as … Mission Bay.  Not sure why my ‘Little Bay’ doesn’t have a nickname.

This post is about happenings on the Big Bay this past couple weeks.

Boats 1:

I went to the Cabrillo National Monument for the start of the Baja Ha-Ha XXIX (29thF annual).

The Baja Ha Ha is not a race, it identifies itself as a rally for cruisers.  Slow and fun from 750 mile two-week cruise San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.   In pre-Covid the HaHa would draw some 300 boats, post Covid this year drew less than 150.

There are 3 groups in the HaHa, Shelter Island hosts Group A, Group B starts from Coronado and C from Chula Vista.  The staggered starts prevent congestion.

The official start is at 10 am, all staging points start at the same time.

Baja HaHa Group A at Shelter Island

And away they go ….

Entering the jetty with their pace boat  …

Clearing the jetty as the pace boat falls back …

This Navy LCS was entering the jetty, so the rest of Group A raised their sails to reserve their Right-of-Way.

The last of the Group A boats as they clear the North Island Naval Base.

And they turn south toward Cabo.  I did not stay for the other groups.

Bombs:

I have a previous blog on what it takes to be a Bomb, HERE.

This year the BombFest was held at Marina Park just south of Seaport Village.

 A fabulous venue for Bombs and potential bombs 1954 and older.

The flyer says cars and trucks, but a motorcycle can be tricked out into a bomb.  Fran would like to ride this Harley, from Eastside Bombers, home.

That’s the Coronado Bay Bridge in the background.

Lots of multigenerational dedication is needed to build and maintain a bomb. Each generation adds their own touch as the project continues in the family.

A lot of cars are lined up for inspection on the grass.

A beautiful early V-8 Ford

I am a fan of the suicide doors.  Really opens up the interior.

Snow White looks to remain pretty much original.

Convertibles are not common in the bomb displays, but there were quite a few at this show.

And even a Mercedes!

My mom had a hardtop Plymouth with a rumble-seat with ‘three-in-the-tree'.  We should have kept it!

Some bombs were slammed to the ground.

Some had potential, the visor is a start.

This under hood airbrush is worth more than my truck!

But the early trucks are always my favorite!  Here’s a few …

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I had a favorite, do you?

This was a fabulous venue, I hope that it can be held here again.

Boats 2:

The Star of India sails again!  The world’s oldest active sailing vessel.  First put to sea in 1863, but has not left its dock in five years.  This is her first time under sail since Covid.

Here she comes, under tow, in front of Harbor Island.  The sails are completely furled.

As she passes Liberty Station the sails are being prepared to be unfurled.

In front of Shelter Island those in the masts have to ready the sails.

Still under tow, the Star passes North Island.  The masts workers are all down, note the passengers on the aft deck who paid handsomely just to ride along …

A close up of the paid passengers.

More sails set as she clears the jetty, but still under tow..

I like this picture.  This is a black-and-white picture, but this is what the camera saw while passing in front of the sun.

Mexico’s Coronado Islands in the background as the tow is being released.

A replica of the San Salvador arrives to the party.  The San Salvador was Cabrillo’s ship and the first ship of any nation to reach our west coast, the year was 1542.

The tall sailing ship California arrives to join the regatta.

The California was purpose built as a sailing schooner to offer tours of San Diego.

And not to be left out the Hawaiian Sailing Catamaran Hōkūle‘a is the last to join.

What fun!  I’ve not seen the Hōkūle‘a before!

Fran joined me to watch the boats return.  We parked on Shelter Island with our bikes for a ride to Point Loma Seafoods.  Then we planned to ride a bit, but alas I got a flat as we left!  It was a long walk back to the truck.

We set out our chairs and it was about an hour before the parade began led by the Star of India and the San Salvador.

The Star of India enters the jetty

a few minutes before the San Salvador

Here she comes, so elegant under full sail

Followed by the San Salvador

And the Hōkūle‘a joins in.  She is heading back to her Hawaiian home port next week.

The California under full sail

The training ship Bill of Rights, I didn't know she was here for this sail.

Ain't she just the Bomb ???

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Tacos, Bombs, and yard work

It was a short bike ride to the Pacific BeachFest.  This gathering is more for geared toward us locals, rather than a tourist extravaganza.

The draw for us was not the 3 stages with live music, but the Best of PB Fish Taco Contest.  We purchased just a single $10 ticket to taste 5 competing fish tacos.

Note: Below are our rankings, not that of the votes cast at the Fest.

Fish Taco Contenders

1. Royal Rooster is way off in Quivira Basin.  Making it a destination, not a chance stop at more convenient Belmont Park.  This is a favorite stop on our Bay/Library bike rides.

Royal Rooster on the right
PB Fish on the left

2.  PB Shore Club is another popular hangout.  And it should be, with those sunset views!  The grilled Mahi-Mahi was seasoned nicely as were the toppings.  This was was our favorite until I brought us a Royal Rooster to share ;)  I didn’t tell Fran it was an RR taco either!

PB Shore on the right 
Sandbar on the left

4.  Sandbar Sports Grill is next to Belmont Park, popular with the college crowd and a frequent winner.  They won again this year.  Altho a generous portion of Mahi-Mahi, too much grease on the fried corn tortilla and weird toppings, such as deep fried onion bits.  But I’d give them another chance  ;)

5. PB Fish Shop is a popular chain in the area.  As such it’ll never disappoint, but will not be remarkable either.  At least their tacos are huge! with able toppings and include a fork :)

I deliberately skipped #3, as Aquaris was not at the fest, but is also on our bike route.

3.  Aquaris Bar and Grill in Quivira Basin at the point.  It’s also in zip code 92109 and should be included.  This is also a favorite stop on our Bay/Library bike rides.

Did I mention they have an 11:00 am weekday happy hour?

Alas I cannot include the OB Pier, our current favorite, but need to revisit while the competition is fresh in our minds.

W.O.W Cafe fish taco on OB Pier

 

As we rode to the BombFest at Crown Point we passed Heali'is Polynesian Revue in De Anza Cove.  It was fun watching the drummers and dancers during their practice.

I was asked not to post pictures of the kids ...

Bombs at Mission Bay

The Bombs are back at Mission Bay and there are more than ever.  The Bomb Fest is bigger than ever!

Please forgive the bluish photos.  My Lumix camera sometimes has a mind of its own …  Display cars and trucks are 1960 or earlier, altho I did see a few I’m sure were a bit newer.

I put some effort into the 2019 Bomb Fest HERE.  I suggest you check that out for more info on the Bombs.

Here’s a few blue-tinted pics of the couple hundred Bombs on Mission Bay.

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Carrier for a baseball bat on a Bomb bike

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Suicide doors and a gull wing hood

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Awesome old Chevy, but check out the slammed Bomb behind it

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I do like old trucks ...

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Slammed, topless and chrome

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Yard Work

A lot more needs to be done but a couple items are blog worthy.

The Macadamia Nut harvest is getting close.  I’ll add a piece on how I shuck and shell those guys on a future blog.

Each nut hangs from a single stem.  Like a bunch of green Christmas ornaments

With the City of San Diego removing all the majestic non-native palm trees in the area, I planted one!

I didn't want it to get this big!

But it grew to over 6 feet in a few years and was becoming more of a liability than a protest.  I cut it down to about 4 feet and it started growing back at about an inch a day.

EGR Valve

The continuing issue with the check engine light has been resolved.  A bit of money can fix a lot of things.  The valve uses coolant, with sensors at both in intake and outlet.  Replaced both the valve and sensors and it’s sure to fix something! 

With that fixed I’m looking forward to the next outing. ... Perhaps Borrego Days …