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Whale watch & Lunch in San Pedro
Sun, March 14, 2010

8:15am - Check-in
8:30am - Slide Presentation at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
9:30am - board Spirit Cruises boat
10:00am - boat departs [no exceptions]
After boat ride (optional)- lunch at a Ports O'Call Restaurant

Go whale watching with your fellow alumni on Spirit Cruises! Start your adventure at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium with a fun and informational slide show about the fascinating life of the Pacific Gray Whale then we'll board the boat for about a two-hour voyage in search of whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea birds.

Our very own UWPSoCal Alumni whale watch docents, Zan Diener and her husband Larry will be walking the decks and telling us about the critters we see!

After we get off the boat, we will have a delicious lunch in a Ports O'Call restaurant.

As of Mar 7 the total numbers of whales since Dec 26 2009 were:
Southbound _____308
Northbound _____198
Total ___________506

Calves South _____17
Calves North ______0

Items to consider bringing for the boat:
- Dress in layers, it can get cold and windy out on the water at boat speeds
- bring at hat or sunscreen, consider you will be out in the sun for two hours+
- bring a camera and/or binoculars

Meeting Location:
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
3720 Stephen M. White Drive
San Pedro CA 90731
(310) 548-7562
http://www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org

Event Summary

We had a great day on the water with 12 alumni and friends! Our day started off with an informative slide lecture at the Cabrillo Marine Aqaurium. From there, we drove the short distance to board the Spirit Cruises boat for our whalewatch.The Gray Whales were elusive, but one finally made an apppearance right at the end! Along the way we also saw a pod of Common Dolphin (who played with the boat) and some Sea Lions. After the boat ride, we all dined waterside at a Ports O'Call Restaurant.

Our group -- Alumni Marc Judson, Janet Caliri, Jene Roach, Zan Diener, Nikki Kaffee and their family and friends. [photo credit: Janet Caliri]

Spirit Cruises out of San Pedro - Our boat for the day

Alumni Nikki Kaffee, Jene Roach and his son Jamey talking while the boat looks for whales.

Alumni Marc Judson and his daughters Amanda and Anna up near the wheelhouse.

Alumni Zan Diener and Janet Caliri looking for whales from the upper deck.

Lighthouse at the end of the breakwater.

Sea Lions hauled out on a buoy.

Sea Lions with a great view of shore!

Two Common dolphins coming to play in the boat's bow waves and wakes!

Two Common Dolphin under the boat's bow surfing the pressure wave.

Small pod of Common Dolphin surfing in the bow wave.

Our one Gray Whale! We followed the whale for 4 "blows" before we headed back for shore.