We enjoyed quite a bit of time at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club while we were in town. It tended to be a pretty easy place to relax, get a meal and also entertain four kids in between our adventures.
Hanging at the beach
I liked the octagon floor in the bathroom
Newport Harbor Yacht Club from the water
We went to Laguna Beach with Uncle Brian one afternoon. He showed us the house he lived in with Papa and my grandparents when they were young and told us what it was like there years ago. We played on the beach, walked around town a little and enjoyed a yummy pizza lunch together.
The old house my dad and uncles used to live in
We took out a Shields one day at OCC. The college has a fleet of them which were donated and are used in their training program. They’re great little day sailers which are used for racing. We had a fun time zipping around and out of the harbor in it!
Uncle Brad picked up a new little skiff – a Melonseed. The kids had a blast sailing Cissy around Newport Harbor. And they were easy to spot zipping between the yachts!
The boys enjoyed using the crane to get the Melonseed in the water
Squeezing by
Jonathan and I took it out a couple afternoons and had a lot of fun!
Silas loved paddling around the harbor
These two!
Getting her off Galatea
All the King boys piled in!
Here are some pics of the time we spent on Uncle Brad’s trawler, Galatea, while we were in Newport Beach. We originally planned to take her to Catalina, but some unforeseen engine troubles hampered that plan. Midway through the week we all thought she was fixed, but alas, not quite. That exciting story is pictured below! In the end we spent a night on the boat in her slip and the kids got the overnight boat experience, which we all really enjoyed. We’ll have to save Catalina for another time!
Lunch!
Newport Harbor Yacht Club
There were a couple paddle boards to take out
We briefly lost Silas in the harbor on the way to the Yacht Club. Jonathan took off in front of him and when he turned around he couldn’t see Silas. Fortunately, he knew where he was going and paddled in a little while later!
Galatea in Alaska
Layla loved her berth
The owner’s suite
Some art from the original owner
Midway through the week it looked like Galatea was repaired and ready to go. We got on board to take her to Catalina and meet Aunt Julie. The kids were occupied exploring and playing games.
These tiki bars recently popped up and can frequently be spotted in the harbor
Grandpa Phil’s favorite sailboat, Synnove III
Palmer Luckey’s, (Oculus founder) yacht passing by
Uncle Brad started the engine and all seemed well for about thirty seconds. Then things didn’t sound good. The engine stalled and we were adrift in the middle of the harbor approaching ferry traffic ahead. I was impressed with how calm Uncle Brad stayed through it all. We dropped an anchor, put the dinghy in the water, and then Jonathan pushed us to the fuel station while Uncle Brad steered and I wrangled the kids and fed them Triscuits. After putting more fuel in, Galatea still didn’t run, so Jonathan pushed us back to her slip at Bay Island. I was relieved he felt comfortable pushing a large boat through a crowded, expensive harbor. He and my uncle made a good team and safely got us back without incident – in fact quite smoothly!
Checking out the engine
Putting the dinghy down
Well that was fun, let’s eat!
Making dinner
We spent the night on Galatea so the kids (okay, and the parents) could have the full experience. They were SO excited!
Good morning!
Galatea at Bay Island
At home in the galley
Little poser!
Kieron enjoyed watching the harbor activity in the morning
