Where is Moby Dick?

The Saturday morning, Tom asked me “What is our plan this weekend?” I guess I somehow became the weekend/social planner. My answer is “How about the zoo, the San Diego Zoo?” I got free tickets from Brenda which will expire by end of February. I figure we better do something with them. There was a pause, I didn’t hear any response so I said, “Honey, you can plan something, it doesn’t have to be me.”

Tom said, “How about going to play in the snow up at Big Bear?” I said, “Sure, do you have your coat or snow shoes with you?” No, he is in his sandals and shorts. Yes, one of the main benefits of being a Californian in January besides paying the absorbent tax (can you not recognize my sarcastic humor?) Well, that pretty much decided the road trip for us, next he came up with the idea of whale watching. Good one. I have wanted to do this for a few years now. Every year, the whales migrate south during this period (Dec to Feb) to Mexico, and you can spot them easily; at least that’s what I have been told and read.

Tom figured out couple good viewing spots on the way to the zoo. One is at the La Jolla bluff area. We did a brief stop, couldn’t figure out where this bluff area is, and decided to head for the next stop at Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma. This is the last tip (peninsula) before heading into Mexico territory.

We really didn’t have an agenda, figured we would end up at the zoo some point that day. Cabrillo was a pleasant surprise. It wasn’t crowded at all, not sure if it is non-holiday season or just simply because it isn’t on the typical tourist track for San Diego. The weather was perfect, clear blue sky with the warm winter sun shining on us. Tom was still in his shorts and sandals. I am in shorts and boots. Hey, how often do I get to wear long boots, got to maximize that time….

The area is very nice to walk around and you can see San Diego skyline. On a clear day (like what we had), you can see far off to Mexico mountains. No, no clue on the names. The old light house has been restored. The white wash house sits perfectly next to the green landscape and blue sky. There is a small museum inside. We both climbed up the spiral staircase to the top. They closed out the last section where the actual light set. But you still can peak into. Of course, I took pictures, including these 3 boys playing on the spiral staircase and willingly participate in my photography.

Onto whale watching, I brought a binocular with us. The catch phase of the day: “I THINK may be I spotted a reflection of a whale????” It is the water spout the mammal makes as it comes up for air. It was nice sitting outside, very quiet. Tom is hard at work trying to find Moby Dick for me. And I am bored out, so just keep shooting pictures of here and there. I cannot stay on the binocular for too long, yes, some type of motion sickness. At least that is what I am calling it. If I stay still in one position with the lens, it is fine. But once I start shifting around trying to spot anything, I start to feel squeeze stomach. It is like I were sitting in the theater (really close, the first couple rows) and a very fast acting scene happening in front of my eyes, my brain and my eyes are not catching up on the same wavelength transmission. I feel dizzy.

Anyway, it was a good morning. By the way, this was and still part of the military/navy base. Before the park entrance, there is a very nicely manicured military cemetery. Perfect headstones lining up facing the open sea, this is what Chinese people would call good fung shui.

There is a great place to watch whale in Palos Verdes, near the wedding site location. It is the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. We stopped by there on Sunday. My god, there was a big group of people, all having their high resolution binoculars hanging around their necks, and chatting excitedly what they spotted, who saw it first, etc. It’s like a competition. I took a picture of the white board; it listed the number and species of the whales they saw for the day.

At least on Saturday, I saw a reflection of a whale. On Sunday, I couldn’t even spot a spray in my most imaginative mind!!!

Think of it this way, it is like competitive bird watching, except this is for the big whale. For me, the idea of whale watching is more interesting that the actual whale watching process. It was a good beginner experience, I suppose!